MEEKER | Meeker resident Chris Lockwood was sworn in as one of the town trustees on Tuesday. Lockwood will complete the term vacated by Pat Turner, who resigned in February, and be eligible to run in the 2022 election. Lockwood also serves on the Meeker Planning Commission.
Lockwood and Jared Harvey submitted applications and were interviewed by the board last Wednesday.
The board and Town Manager Lisa Cook discussed working together with the Town of Rangely to apply for a Department of Local Affairs grant to hire a consultant to put together a plan for economic development.
“We have tons of data, that’s all we’ve been doing for the last few years,” Cook said. “That’s what we’re lacking, is putting all of that data together and then coming up with a plan.”
Cook also said the Town received a dividend of $9,945 from their health insurance provider last week, and told the board the county’s quarterly interagency meeting will be held Tuesday, March 9.
The Healthy Families and Workplaces Act became effective for the State of Colorado at the first of the year. “Basically we already complied with that,” Cook said. Changes to personnel policy are under review by the town’s attorney.
Trustee Wendy Gutierrez said there has been community discussion of a barbecue at Town Park on March 20, which has been proclaimed by Governor Jared Polis as “Meat Out Day” urging people to go without meat. The governor’s announcement has been met with vocal opposition from multiple counties and towns in defense of local agriculture and livestock producers.
The board discussed writing a resolution in support of local agriculture for the town to approve at the next meeting.
The board went into executive session to discuss personnel matters before adjourning.
By NIKI TURNER – editor@editorht1885.com
