Rangely voters set town board; parks to WRBM

RANGELY I Tuesday’s municipal election in Rangely selected the mayor and two town board members and decided whether or not to convey several town parks and properties to the control of the Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District (WRBM).
Voters determined that incumbent town board member Lisa Hatch will return to the Rangely Town Board for a second four-year term with candidates Andy Shaffer and Ann Brady filling seats soon to be vacated by termed-out trustees Clayton Gohr and Elaine Urie.
Of the 277 regular and absentee ballots cast, Shaffer was the top vote getter with 213 votes. Hatch received 201 and Brady garnered 153 while candidate Dave Way, who lost by two votes in 2012, received 143 votes to come up 10 votes short this time.
Two hundred and thirty residents voted to retain Rangely Mayor Frank Huitt, who ran unchallenged, for a second two-year term.
A ballot question asked if residents wanted the Town of Rangely to convey its interest in several town parks and properties — among them the Rangely Camper Park and Hefley Park — to the Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District.
Voters approved the measure by a 174-100 vote. The approval validates an agreement made to transfer lands owned by the town to the WRBM Recreation and Park District, with plans to complete survey and easement requirements in the next 120 days.
The 277 votes cast this year were down by more than half compared with 2012’s municipal election, when 661 votes were cast for mayor and trustee candidates.