MEEKER | The newest officer in the Meeker Police Department, Brian Ahearn, was officially sworn in during the April 2 Board of Trustees meeting. Ahearn was raised on a ranch near Elko, Nevada. He’s been an MP (military police) for the last seven years and comes to Meeker with his wife and daughter.
“And he still says ‘sir,’” said Chief Phil Stubblefield.
In public participation, Bobby Gutierrez, on behalf of Wendll’s, asked if mill tailings from the upcoming chip seal project could be put on Second Street from Main to Water streets to discourage mud and dust.
“There won’t be any tailings on a chip seal,” said trustee Scott Nielson.
Town administrator Lisa Cook said she would mention the need for application of mag chloride on that section to Public Works Supervisor Russell Overton. “I’ll mention it to Russell [Overton] to get some mag [chloride] put down,” said town administrator Lisa Cook.
Chamber Update
Trustees heard an update from Meeker Chamber Director Stephanie Kobald about the chamber’s activities.
“We have 208 members, 15 are new,” Kobald said. “We’re doing a lot through the visitor’s center. We’re corresponding with about 4,500 annually.”
– Annual chamber dinner will be May 31
-Look for activities surrounding national Small Business Week in May
-Town maps were published through a grant this year
-Advertising with the Colorado Tourism Office and Colorado Tourism
-Updated the banner west of town across from Kum N Go
-Maintaining three websites and six social media pages
-33% increase in OHV Rendezvous riders last ear
-The Plein Air art programs will now be handled by the Meeker Arts and Cultural Council
-Farmer’s Markets will return ever week this year, two will be evening markets in conjunction with ERBM concerts
-Received a Fishing is Fun grant tor create maps, kiosks and signage that will be done this summer.
-The Main Street Program will apply to be a designated Main Street community this year, increasing grant funding
-Planning a placemaking workshop to “figure out what the Market Street project is”
Other Business
-Approved a $2,000 donation for Rocky Mountain Youth Corps for the youth summer program.
– Heard a request for matching grant funding for historical signage—bronze plaques and fiberglass signs—from the Rio Blanco County Historical Society. Accepting the signage is not mandatory. There are 31 buildings eligible. “We know that our buildings are designated,” said RBCHS President Teresia Ruckman-Reed. “These signs have a 100-year guarantee. These signs will outlive all of us.”
“I’d like to see you guys come back after you have your other funding in place,” said Trustee Gutierrez. “I’d like to see what gets filled in from the commissioners and the Fairfield and then see where you’re at.”
Rehab Housing
Trustees participated in a work session last week regarding a new source of funding that has just become available in Rio Blanco County for lower income people to “rehab” their homes.
“It’s not just one program. All in all it’s a pretty win-win scenario for people to get some low-cost funding to fix a roof, remodel, maybe do some things they don’t have funding for,” Cook said.
The town will help promote the programs and get information to the community. A meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8 to gauge community support. More information will be published in the HT in the next few weeks.
By Niki Turner | [email protected]
