MEEKER I At the regular board of trustees meeting for the Town of Meeker on Tuesday, trustees were thanked for the town’s financial contribution to the annual outdoor education trip for incoming Barone Middle School sixth graders. Funds for the trip are raised by students and staff from nonprofit groups, grants, and fundraisers so that every incoming sixth grader can participate in the excursion to the YMCA camp at Estes Park.
Students shared some of the things they learned, did, and what the experience did for them as a class before presenting trustees with thank you notes written by class members.
The bid for upgrades to the town shop facilities was awarded to Ducey’s Electric. Town Manager Mandi Etheridge said both bids were deemed complete and met all specifications and deadlines. Ducey’s was the low bidder at $32,600, compared to $37,500 by Taylor Electrical. Staff recommended accepting the lower bid.
Trustees approved the use of Ute Park for this year’s Meeker Skijor event, to be held Dec. 30-Jan 1 this year, making it the last skijor race on the circuit for 2022 and the first race on the circuit for 2023. The event has previously been held at the county fairgrounds.
Town Clerk Lisa Cook presented the public draft of the 2023 budget with no changes from her presentation at the previous meeting. Cook said the 2023 budget is similar to the 2022 budget, with increased revenue in some sections offset by increased expenses in cost of living wage increases, fuel and utility costs, etc. The public draft of the budget is available for review at Town Hall.
The board once again discussed proposed changes to a 20 year lease agreement with the Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan and Park District (ERBM) for oversight of the town’s park properties. Trustees had asked the ERBM board to strike a sentence that would allow contract service providers (concessionaires) to operate on town property under ERBM’s approval. The ERBM board accepted all proposed changes with the exception of that sentence on Sept. 22, sending the lease agreement back to the Town. After discussion, trustees moved to leave the sentence in the lease agreement.
Town Manager Mandi Etheridge said the Town is advertising two open seats on the planning commission and a public works department staff position.
A public information and outreach meeting regarding the proposed river project is planned for Thursday, Oct. 20.
By NIKI TURNER – editor@editorht1885.com
