Meeker’s Board of Trustees reviewed and approved additional revisions to the language in a professional services agreement with SWCA Environmental Consultants for the Circle Park Phase II project on Tuesday. The Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District is also reviewing the agreement.
Trustees also approved a $1,500 donation to go toward the upcoming outdoor education trip for incoming Barone Middle School sixth graders to a YMCA camp in Granby. The annual trip, in its 11th year, is funded by donations and the entire class is included. Fifth grade teacher Teresa Anderson, who started the trip, said covering the costs for all students so that all can attend produces tremendous benefits. Anderson hasn’t approached the town for a donation for a decade, but there are a dozen more students in this year’s class than usual, increasing the cost of the camp, requiring an additional chaperone and increased transportation costs.
The August camp includes outdoor education and survival skills, as well as science and history components, but the social benefit of putting the entire class together for four days creates a “tolerance and compassion opportunity,” Anderson said. “They learn to be friends with kids they might not otherwise choose to spend time with.”
Town Manager Mandi Etheridge said the police department’s new record management system will go live on Monday. The new program will provide additional information for law enforcement the prior system lacked.
A police vehicle ordered 18 months ago made it through all the delays and supply chain issues and arrived in Meeker Tuesday, Etheridge added.
Bulk water users will be able to pick up new keys at Town Hall beginning today, Aug. 4. The installation of the new bulk water system was expected to be up and running sometime on Wednesday, barring any complications.
In regular business, trustees approved multiple special event liquor licenses for upcoming events, and a temporary liquor license for the new owners of Ma Famiglia, Beth and Rich Ford. Beth Ford said “It’s business as usual at Ma Famiglia,” despite the change in ownership.
The next town board meeting will be a joint meeting with ERBM at 6 p.m. on Aug. 16 at the Meeker Rec Center.
By NIKI TURNER – editor@editorht1885.com
