Rangely Police Department adds Officer Kilduff to staff

The Rangely Board of Trustees met on Aug. 9 and 23, 2022, to conduct town business. Both meetings were short but offered updates and information regarding town projects and goals.

The Aug. 9 meeting had several discussions. Riku and Terry Thibodeau, new Rangely residents, offered public input. They addressed the Board to provide information about service dogs and accessibility. The concern arose when they attempted to access the Rangely Community Gardens and were denied due to the no-animal policy. After discussion, the Board of Trustees and Community Gardens representatives decided that the gardens would follow the law regarding service dogs, and the Thibodeaus would be able to access the site.

Trustee Kyle Wren discussed Mosaic Housing, a factory-made, pre-built home manufacturer. Wren said the hospital would be interested in partnering with the Town to bring to Rangely. Currently, the company is building a factory in Grand Junction with a completion goal of two years.

Town Manager Lisa Piering’s update included reminders for upcoming events: Old Timers Reunion, The Dinosaur Stampede, and the CML conference in Meeker during September. The police department will gain an officer and lose a dispatcher. The town performed aerial spraying for mosquito abatement on Sunday, Aug. 28. Jeannie Caldwell submitted a photo of Rangely to Caselle — the Town’s accounting software — that was chosen to be in their calendar. Public works and the utility department are working on service lines on Hwy 64. The gas department, under Kelli Neiberger, is continuing regular maintenance and gas meter replacement.

Upcoming events to note:

• Septemberfest — Sept. 3-5 (Rangely)
• Colorado River District “OVERDRAWN” at CMU (Grand Junction) — Sept. 16
• Colorado Municipal Fall District Meeting — Sept. 22 (Meeker)

The Aug. 23 meeting conducted several items of new business. The Board of Trustees passed Resolution 2022-08 to oppose SB 21-260: Sustainability of the Transportation System approved in June 2021, effective July 2022, which creates new sources of dedicated funding and new state enterprises to support the planning, funding development, construction, maintenance and supervision of Colorado’s transportation system and to further oppose any future legislation that violates both TABOR and Proposition 117. This resolution is the Town Managers’ attempt to protect Rangely from this House Bill.

Further discussion and action to approve an administrative grant application through the State Historical Fund for $15,000 with a 10% match for the structural assessment of the property at E. Main Street designated as the old Nichols Store. The assessment is the beginning step towards hopefully preserving the property as a historical location — the assessment will determine if it is possible. The Board additionally approved a Special Event Permit to Rangely B.P.O.E #1907 for the Rock’N Bull Rodeo on Aug. 27, 2022.

During supervisor reports, the Board had the opportunity to hear from Police Chief Ti Hamblin and Public Works Supervisor Jeff LeBleu.

Chief Hamblin was present to swear in new officer Clinton Kilduff and present a “Good Samaritan” award to Samm and Gayla Cudo. The couple were out for a walk on July 20 and noticed a small grass fire on E. Rangely Ave., then jumped right into action to put the fire out. The fire started in a residential front yard and could have caused catastrophic damage if it weren’t for Cudo’s awareness. The Cudos were not present.

Officer Kilduff was sworn in and had his badge pinned by his oldest son, Tucker. Kilduff is a Meeker native who had served in law enforcement since 2013, when he began with the Weld County Sheriff’s office and moved back to Rio Blanco County in 2015. He was the Ag teacher at Rangely Jr./Sr. High School for the 2021-22 school year. Kilduff is happy to be back in law enforcement and looks forward to serving in the capacity of officer for the Rangely Police Department.

Public Works Supervisor Jeff LeBleu shared an update with the Board regarding the projects they have ongoing and completed. These include backfill at the Castos, water leak repair on Halfturn Rd., mowing vacant lots, and an old wooden electrical pole stump they removed from the sidewalk at the hospital. LeBleu is hopeful to fill that in the coming week. The department’s mowing tractor has undergone several repairs, and LeBleu is optimistic that it will be in working condition going forward.

Piering shared that the utility project for the back lots of La Mesa has begun. The water plant lost equipment over the weekend, and the Headworks project is moving forward smoothly. Town Engineer Jocelyn Mullen will be able to provide a detailed update upon her return.

The next Board of Trustees meeting will occur on Sept. 13, 2022. The public is encouraged to attend and engage with the local government as informed citizens.