Wellington trustee meeting addresses wide ranging issues

The Jan. 14 Wellington Board of Trustees meeting drew a full house.

In the first non-agenda item, community activist and former mayoral candidate for Fort Collins, Eric Sutherland, spoke to the trustees regarding expenses incurred by Boxelder Basin Regional Stormwater Authority for a Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) application and feasibility study for work on County Road 52 improvements. He said the authority was violating the “interests of the people of Larimer County” by assessing illegal fees for the work. He encouraged the trustees to reconsider their participation in the Boxelder Stormwater Authority.

Margaret Griffin, who owns property in the Boxelder Basin that would be affected by the work, asked for “justice” in regard to the authority’s intention to build a 30-foot dam on her property. She does not want to sell her land and has concerns about its possible condemnation.

Tim Singewald, Buffalo Creek housing development resident and member of the Wellington Community park Committee, advocated for the prompt construction of the newly-named park and spoke in favor of getting the job done as soon as possible. He said there is a great deal of support for completing the project as evidenced by 300 citizens who have already signed a petition encouraging its completion, one-third of whom reside outside the Buffalo Creek area. Calling it a “great resource for the city,” Singewald touted the completion of a trail system through the town of Wellington connecting with the park.

Singewald also asked for a prompt resolution of issues surrounding the wells that will provide water for the park, efforts which have lagged because Dreiling Pump and Supply has not been able to complete the well work.

Wellington Public Library Director Kathy Bornhoft reported the enlargement of the children’s area at the library, a donation of 10 computers from the Larimer County Sheriff’s Department that will be available for public use and plans for a children’s summer reading program emphasizing works of non fiction, specifically science-related.

A request to set aside $10,000 to fulfill an agreement with Downtown Colorado Inc. for the two-day review and public forums associated with downtown improvements was approved by the trustees. Chuck Mayhugh asked that all property owners, including those who own vacant lots, be notified. The needs assessment is required before grants can be acquired in order to proceed with a plan to revitalize the downtown area with assistance from DCI.

Funds in the amount of $259,315 were approved for the preliminary design phase for the Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion. Wellington finance director Mike Cummins said total cost for the project will be in the range of $550,000. A representative of Stantec, the engineering firm under contract for the town of Wellington, was present to explain the process for selecting contractors for the work.

A development agreement was approved for builder Sage Homes to proceed with a 193-lot development, designated Meadows phase 2B. The development is located east of I-25 and north of G. W. Bush Street.

Several resolutions were passed and current expenditures approved. During a town attorney update, a discussion of expenditures for the Boxelder Basin Regional Stormwater Authority project for improvements to County Road 52 was revisited. Stormwater Authority board member Lee Tucker had concerns about Wellington’s financial obligation in the project.

In executive session, the trustees conducted an annual evaluation of town administrator Larry Lorentzen.