The Fourth of July fireworks and the annual Surf and Turf dinner will be held this year, Rangely Mayor Andy Shaffer told the town’s board of trustees Tuesday at the regular board of trustee’s meeting.
Emergency Dispatcher LaDonna Carlson read a portion of her heartfelt nomination letter for dispatch supervisor Mercy McAlister. McAlister won the peer-nominated Colorado Dispatch Supervisor of the Year award from the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International (APCO) and National Emergency Number Association (NENA). Chief Hamblin and Town Manager Lisa Piering presented McAlister with the award at the meeting.
During the supervisor reports, Chief Hamblin introduced new officer Jordan Hughes. Officer Hughes, originally from Georgia, said he was excited to get to work in the community. Despite the pandemic, Officer Hughes was in the top two of his class, passed his POST examination, and has started his field training. Officer Connor was injured in a roll-over accident while off duty and after approximately a month, will be able to return to the department. Chief Hamblin touched upon SB20-217 “Enhance Law Enforcement Integrity” bill which was introduced June 1 and already passed in the Colorado Senate. The Rangely Police Department unveiled its first redesigned patrol vehicles. The black SUV sports an oil pumpjack on the side. Hamblin said that they wanted to showcase the oil and gas history of Rangely with the new design. A conditional job offer for a part-time dispatch position was offered to Kimber Kinney and she has accepted it. Mayor Shaffer thanked all the town law enforcement officers and dispatchers for their work in keeping our community safe and protected.
Town Manager Piering reports town employees have been busy cleaning up after the weekend’s storms. They have had seven new utility services started; many of those new residents reported relocating to the community for a slower pace of living. W.C. Striegel won the bid for the town’s waterline project along Hwy. 139. Everyone involved is anxious to get to work on the project.
The Chamber’s Business over Breakfast event this month will be held at the hospital on June 11 at 7 a.m.
The Dollar General location construction has slowed a bit and Piering is unsure of the anticipated completion date.
Piering spoke about the coronavirus relief fund that Rio Blanco County was awarded and said Rangely would be allotted some of that funding but would need to submit for reimbursements. The town applied for and was awarded a $10,000 Colorado Relief Fund grant. They intend on using those funds for utility relief.
Mayor Shaffer reported that Dylan and Mandi Smuts, owners of Big D’s Oilfield Services, gave local restaurants some financial assistance and Shaffer said that they probably would not want recognized for it but said “it’s a pretty neat gesture.”
Robie moved to approve the IGA between Rio Blanco County and Town of Rangely for the Airport Waterline Improvements, Geer seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Geer moved to approve a purchase order agreement with the State of Colorado for the Town of Rangely to become the fiscal agent for the Dinosaur Colorado Welcome Center. Ellis seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
The Rangely Town Board of Trustees meeting wrapped up at 7:34 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23.
By ROXIE FROMANG | Special to the Herald Times
