RANGELY | During the public participation segment of last week’s Rangely town meeting, René Harden, president of the Rangely Community Garden Board, requested help to fill vacancies on the Community Garden Board.
The Rangely Development Association/Rangely Development Council discussed financials. Town Manager Lisa Piering updated the Board regarding committee and Board meetings. The Chamber of Commerce Board has temporarily filled the director position but is looking for someone to help.
Jeannie Caldwell, Director of Economic Development, presented a slide deck to the Board with marketing updates. The Town’s tourism website, discoverrangely.com, is live as of Jan. 25, 2023. The website focuses on tourism and the Rangely lifestyle with highlights on pertinent information such as cost of living, school district, etc. The website also highlights Rangely’s location in reference to Dinosaur National Monument.
Caldwell shared details about the reusable shopping bags designed to offset the new law requiring a tax on plastic bags. The reusable bags are available from Rangely True Value, and Caldwell highlighted Rodger Polley’s efforts in their fruition. These bags market for Rangely, with details of Rangely businesses and necessary addresses and information. The revenue from their purchase helps to support the Town.
Rangely will begin to highlight local veterans with “Hometown Heroes” banners. Veterans, current service members, or their families can fill out a form to be recognized with a banner with their photo and recognition of their service. These banners will be funded partly by the reusable bag revenue and some fundraising efforts, including Frank Huitt’s pig roast at a marketing event. Donations will be accepted. Trustee Robie asked Caldwell if the veterans would have the opportunity to accept or decline a nomination and the answer was yes.
Caldwell also shared her efforts with the Main Street Program TREAD and seeks to continue increasing Rangely’s status in the program. The following status is “Designated,” which offers increased accessibility to scholarships and grants, and the minimum is doubled. The process is underway and expected to be complete in October/November. The highlighted project currently is the Coltharp General Store & Merchandising, which the Town owns and is working with the TREAD program to evaluate its preservation and possible addition to the Historic Registry. Town Engineer Jocelyn Mullen is involved in the development of the project. It is believed to be the oldest building in Rangely. Economic Development Director Jeannie Caldwell expressed her excitement for this project and its possibilities. Rangely’s social media presence is growing. Caldwell aims to continue updating the town’s media and social media presence.
Town Manager Lisa Piering highlighted snow as the primary focus of her manager’s report. The Town’s supply of sand is limited, and they are using careful discretion as to where and when it is applied. The Headworks project is scheduled to begin again around the first of February. An initiative to assist the Town Of Dinosaur in securing its natural gas supply is in progress. Piering, Mullen, and Neiberger from the Gas Department have begun working towards a capacity study and grants to help implement the resource in their community. Natural gas prices are increasing due to inflation, and in a letter to the Board, Neiberger states, “The Town has not and will not increase the fee we collect to operate the system even though our costs have risen. The only increase in your bill will be the increased costs of purchasing natural gas for our customers.”
New business items:
– Approved a special event permit to the Rangely Chamber of Commerce for the annual Crab Crack on Feb. 18 Jodi Dillon addressed the Board on this matter.
– Approval to accept Main Street consulting service funds for the trail design, engineering and construction build documents for the trail route from CNCC through Ridge Road, not to exceed $45,000.
– Approval to apply for an AGNC mini-grant for two solar lights on South White Ave. in front of Pinyon Circle Subdivision, and one additional light on Kennedy Drive in the amount of $10,290 with a 50% match.
– Approval of Resolution 5240.01 2022, a Resolution revising the revenue and expense amount budget for the Rangely Gas Fund, of the Town of Rangely, Colorado, for the Fiscal Year beginning January 1, 2022, and ending December 31, 2022. (Approved)
Trustees went into executive session at the Town Attorney’s suggestion to discuss personnel matters.
BY KATIE KING
Special to the Herald Times
