At the town of Nucla’s monthly meeting April 15, new trustees were present, Aimee Tooker and Darla Joseph. Ailene Smith also was elected to another term. Joseph Hittinger was elected, but then resigned from the trustee position, and the board must now appoint someone to fill that vacancy.
During the meeting, the board agreed to a letter of support on behalf of the Basin Clinic for operational expansion. The board also approved the building application and variance for West End Family Link, which was discussed at the previous meeting. Then, trustees asked representatives of Family Link to speak with neighboring property owners. As that was done and the neighbors were supportive, the motion was approved.
Some agenda items were carried over onto the next meeting. Trustees, especially the newly elected, need to review the technology and social media policy. The lodging tax discussion received guidance from the town’s attorney and has also been tabled, as has been the fishing permit.
Trustees approved a water tap application for Pinion Farm Homstead, owned by Bodie Johansson, Dave Hodges and Melanie Eggers.
The drought water resolution is still being finalized, and Mustang Water Authority was set to meet Monday, April 20, and that board is discussing important water and drought issues.
Mayor Paula Brown said she hated “to kick the can down the road one more time,” but there are things to consider. She’d spoken to Kenny Heldman about the Colorado Cooperative Company’s drought contigency plan, but Tooker, secretary-treasurer of the CCC board, said they didn’t have one.
Some discussion of 2018, a bad drought year ensued, and what measures were taken then with switching laterals until it rained. Tooker said the San Miguel River was put on a call June 27 that year. She’ll let trustees know when a call happens this year.
The Town of Nucla is still working on its land use code updates, working with RPI, and has invited representatives of Norwood and Naturita to come observe what Nucla adopts.
Troy Masters, new chamber president, appeared before the board and thanked the town for support. He said the West End Chamber of Commerce has adopted a resolution supporting the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office Neighbourhood Watch program. The first meeting happened last week with WestCo Dispatch. Next month, May 14, Sheriff Gene Lillard will come to the West End to present. Meetings happen at Naturita Community Library, and Masters said he hopes local towns will support the work.
He added the chamber will begin emphasizing the connection of chamber events to local heritage and history, especially Cowboy Poetry and the West End Burro Race. The chamber board is also reminding county commissioners of the “divide” that exists between the east and west ends of the county.
Additionally, the chamber is working on the organization’s bylaws, modernizing them and creating greater clarity. Masters said they’ll adopt a conflict of interest policy too, and it’s important for people to remain independent and not perceive conflicts.
Mayor Brown has been sitting in on some housing meetings, the result of the West End Vision Planning work. She referenced a conversation from the last board meeting, wherein Hittinger had met with officials from Habitat for Humanity for a Nucla tour, trying to determine if derelict properties or vacant land could be used for new housing.
The town confirmed David Adams is the new animal control and code enforcement officer. Several trustees agreed he’s already establishing a presence and seems to be settling into the role.
