At the Nucla Town Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 23, Miranda Fengel followed up her discussion from last month, regarding the parking issue next to her Main Street business, at the intersection of Main and 5th Avenue. She asked for signage there.
Trustees also discussed a building permit they’d received but agreed they needed more information on. Deputy Town Clerk Emma Terrell had reached out to property owners.
Montrose County Panning Commission scheduled a hearing for Camp V’s special use permit for workforce housing Sept. 24, though there was a conflict, since the Boettcher Foundation had a regional leadership meeting in Nucla at the community center from 5 to 8 p.m. Town trustees discussed writing a letter, urging the county to wait on their decision.
Trustees approved a liquor license renewal for Spirits of the Tabeguache; since she’s the owner, Trustee Aimee Tooker recused herself.
Town Manager Jessica Davis told the board the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) request that Sean Pond had made was fulfilled. She was absent two weeks ago, on vacation, so there was a delay.
“It’s been satisfied,” she told the board.
Nucla’s trustees have added dates to their calendars for work sessions. Oct. 6, they’ll gather for a discussion of governance framework, plus board plans and goals for the town. On Oct. 14, they’ll discuss land use and development code updates.
Trustees said they cancelled the last land use and development code meeting, because they had a work session with West End Public Schools over the cell tower and EMF testing. So far, they’ve only got one bid for the EMF testing.
The Black Hills Energy franchise renewal is on hold; so is the Vertical Bridge contract, until Oct. 14, when it will be reviewed in executive session.
Trustees are again looking for someone to fill a trustee vacancy. Jason Richardson resigned, and town is taking applications until Oct. 8.
Trustees approved the 2025 financial audit, which will be sent into the state.
The West End housing committee and land trust group is moving quickly. Davis said the Town of Nucla submitted a grant for Proposition 123, affordable housing funds. The grant is in review with the state’s Department of Local Affairs.
Davis said grant information was pulled from the West End Vision Plan, but the actual housing details will involve the public in future meetings. Mayor Paula Brown said the group has looked at two to three properties in the area that could work.
“We’ve got to get some housing in here,” Tooker said in the meeting.
“Hopefully we can get the funding in place to get some things started,” Brown said, adding it might be for families, senior citizens or others.
In her manager’s report, Davis said the Nucla Public Library will host a Halloween celebration, geared toward little ones, from 3 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 31. A few booths will be there, and Davis said it’s good exposure for the library. Town officials will dress up and participate. At the same time, the Nucla Fire Hall will have a haunted house too.
Davis is still working on the town’s fall clean-up date.
Additionally, EMS will do some numbering for the Jackson Mobile Home Park for safety reasons. Related to safety, Davis has had some concerns expressed over the Nucla Town Park and “stranger danger.” She has spoken to Superintendent Clint Wytulka, of West End Public Schools.
Trustee Penni Philbrook asked about heating and cooling at Nucla Community Center, since the building holds humidity and the floor is warping. The mayor said she agreed time and money need to be invested in it, as it’s one of Nucla’s most utilized spaces “and needs to be in working operation.”
The town is still working on when the 1976 time capsule will be opened and may work with local students for the event.
