Holly Board Updates Pool and Park Fees

The fees for the Holly municipal swimming pool have been increased for the first time in nine years by the board of trustees. A resolution was also passed during the April 4 meeting, establishing rental rates for recreational vehicle and tent spaces. The board voted not to pursue a fence for the toddler playground at the North park.

Pool fees will be $2 per visit for 12 and under users and $3 for 13 and older. $80 will be charged for a two hour party rental for a crowd of 50 or less and $100 will be charged for over 50. The board noted reduced attendance in past years and some suggestions for a turnaround included teen nights and creating water volleyball teams. New camping fees at the Memorial Ball Field were passed. A weekly fee of $120 will be charged and the monthly fee is $300. A tent fee is $10 per night and $25 for a one day RV space.

The trustees decided to increase the town’s share of an annual ARPA scholarship to three students this year. In the past, ARPA contributed $500 with an equal match from Holly. This year, in light of the caliber of the three applicants, the board decided to increase its contribution to each of the students. Nick Hammes, Jez Mehl and Toni Chaparro will receive $500 each to pursue their college careers.

Because of potential vandalism issues, the board decided against building a fence at the Toddler Playground at the city’s North Park, citing on-going problems with misuse of city property. Vance Brian, city field services supervisor, provided updates on various projects. Backstop fencing at the ballpark has been completed, a water tank has been adapted for flushing sewer mains, the North Park is currently being re-seeded, a tank at the city’s south well has been repaired, a burned power pole was replaced and Brian donated his time to the after prom clean up again this year, using a city trash truck for the project.

Holly owns 14.376 shares in the Buffalo Mutual Irrigation Company which have become available this year. After considerable discussion the board decided the most equitable way to make them available for bid was to issue a letter to area farmers, informing them of the availability of the shares for bid. It was noted there will be a high water demand this year, given the lack of precipitation.

Town clerk Mary Rushton said she will look into online billing procedures for residents who wish to pay their municipal bills online. Rushton said she’s noted an increase for introducing a system to the community and has contacted one company that does not require a contract and charges $150 for a set up fee. She told the board, about $1,200 could be saved a year with online billing. The board approved a $950 tuition fee for Rushton’s final year of courses at the Colorado Municipal Clerk’s Institute.

Town administrator, Marsha Willhite, provided current revenue figures for ARPA power sales for the board. She said electric demands showed a 4.8% increase over the same period last year, mostly attributable to the new motel and church in town. As the Lamar Repowering Project has been offline since the start of the year, Operations and Management costs to Holly have been reduced by almost half at this point. Willhite said the plant should be back on line by June if all repairs on the boiler are on schedule. Sema Construction Company has been using landfill dirt, she said, filling in the levees near the bridge under construction south of town along highway 89. She said Sema has secured the necessary permits from the state Bureau of Mining for the project.

The board of trustees approved the request from the Nazarene Church, to have the city tear down two sheds on church property, north of Fellowship Hall and to haul away some tree limbs and debris. As the town has offered this service at no charge to other community churches, the board felt it could continue the practice. The board also approved the request to tear down the motel owned by the Vazquez family as an economic development project. It was determined that the level of asbestos on the property would not be a health hindrance to it’s being razed. The request for the installation of a six inch sewer main in the alley behind property owned by Kay Entz was also approved. The main would run west along the alleyway to 11th Street and tie in to the main now in place. The family will split the cost of the project, about $3,000 with the town.

By Russ Baldwin