RANGELY | County commissioner candidate Ginny Love visited Rangely’s Board of Trustees. She addressed the Board during the public input section to inform them of who she is and her goals as commissioner for the county which include uniting the citizens and building the community. A born and raised Meeker resident where she raised her children, she continues to work in the community at Pioneers Medical Center. She takes pride in the small communities of Rio Blanco County and hopes to use her communication skills and passion for people to unite the citizens of RBC and strengthen the county against current and impending economic challenges.
Trustee Don Davidson provided updates on the Cogency Power Project. A traditional solar farm uses significant acreage which reduces the opportunity for agricultural use. Cogency has developed an array that uses gallium arsenide chip technology to dissipate heat and store it geothermally for up to a year. The technology uses parabolas to absorb heat into the gallium arsenide chip and then transports it into the ground to be stored geothermally or via other methods including battery storage (also called “cogeneration” which describes the energy generated by various methods of storage).
Lisa Piering said she expects Doug Kiesewetter, CEO of Cogency Power, to present publicly to the board again after completing the necessary financial requirements related to the project. Davidson closed his update by sharing his optimism and anticipation looking forward to the implementation of the technology.
Supervisor reports were submitted in written format and can be accessed in the board packets on the Town of Rangely website. Mayor Andy Shaffer offered to tour the town facilities with the trustees on May 24.
Town Manager Lisa Piering offered her update with a list of upcoming meetings and brief explanations. She encouraged trustees to attend the AGNC and Club 20 meetings which will be held in Rangely. The Opioid Settlement Funding is beginning to process and she believes Police Chief Ti Hamblin will be interested in some programs available with the funding. The town has begun hiring seasonal workers and is interviewing for a utility operator. The town is additionally seeking applicants for positions in public works and an applicant to take over animal control/code enforcement. Town flowers have been planted and additional lights for the Kennedy Drive path were ordered. Piering said she is excited to have the lights installed and has received significant feedback that other community members are looking forward to the installation as well.
Trustee Kyle Wren was appointed as the Board’s Club20 representative. Trustee Trey Robie was appointed as Mayor Pro-Tem. Marybel Cox was appointed as the Town of Rangely clerk and treasurer. Heather Cannon was appointed as Town of Rangely municipal attorney. Karen Wilczek was appointed as Town of Rangely Municipal Court Judge.
The Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado (AGNC) meeting will be on May 25 from 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at CNCC.
The Main Street publication featured Rangely’s efforts to revitalize the park in front of Town Hall.
By KATIE KING | Special to The Herald Times
