Granada Trustees Tackling City Junk Vehicle Ordinance

Artists Version of Welcome Sign for Granada

The Granada Town ordinance regulating junked vehicles is back on the drawing board for new language to include use of car covers in lieu of constructing fencing to block the view of junked or non-operable vehicles within the city limits. The Town Trustees said they don’t want to be financially punitive to vehicle owners who have several unusable cars on their property, but the town wants the vehicles fixed or moved out of sight. Many owners are claiming they can’t afford to build a fence around their yards. One way that seems reasonable to both sides is car covers, provided they are away from sight from the front plane of a home. Ron Silva, Granada resident, visited with the board again, saying he represented some 55 concerned citizens who don’t want to have to be charged too much to comply with the ordinance, and wanted to see if some changes could be made to the privisions. Granada Police Chief David Dougherty said he would revise several of the provisions of the ordinance and bring it back for review at the June Trustees meeting. As the revised ordinance requires a first and second reading, it will not go into effect until this summer. The Trustees approved an Intergovernmental Agreement with the District School Board. All parties have reviewed the documents and are satisfied with the recreation decisions.

Computerized Version of Sign on Highway 50

Natalie Musick, the Prowers County Emergency Operations Coordinator for Granada provided a review of the April 27 tornado that struck Lamar. Granada was not affected by the storm, but sirens were sounded. Musick said the sirens in Granada and Bristol are battery operated, who they work even when power has been cut. She said plans are underway to fire the sirens by remote control from an emergency vehicle for the two communities. She also said that flyers will be mailed to all citizens explaining how they can register for Code Red emergency phone calls, either over a landline or cellphone or emailed to a computer. Persons can register for the service online or call the Prowers County Emergency Services Center at 336-3977.

The town’s 250,000 gallon water tank needs roof repair. The trustees decided to place the project out to bid, looking at several options, using shingles, rolled metal or a round metal roof. Costs will vary for the 3,400 square foot roof, which measures 60 feet across. Aside from cost of materials, the life of the roof varies from a 40 year warranty with a round metal roof to 25 years with shingles or rolled metal.

Board members will be appointed to the VALE board; one will reside in Prowers County and the remainder, including an alternate, will be from the Granada/Bristol area. Natalie Musick will continue on the board from Prowers County, leaving Chris Choat, Allan Clifton and Jeannie Bezona as the local representatives.

Granada Police Chief Dougherty brought up the matter of financing for animal control measures in the community. This past spring, there have been some complaints of roving, apparently un-owned dogs in neighborhoods. Granada has no pound or designated animal control officer, and the distance to Lamar to use their pound is too great. Granada has no equipment to safely catch or handle dogs if a problem arises. Officer Don Gorton said he’d contact some of his counterparts along the Front Range who have developed grant funding for animal control equipment and personnel and report his progress back to the Trustees.

On the matter of animals, Town Field Supervisor John McMillan said the prairie dog problem in town appears to be under control, as he’s noticed there hasn’t been any digging in areas where he last laid down some chemical bait. However, he noted there has been more beaver movement along some of the levees, and before he water gets too high, McMillan said he’d go in and break up their dams.

Trustee Jerene deBono told the Board, the County will aid in the development of a new pit at the landfill and Zane Tyner is working into his new position as landfill operator. The Trustees reiterated that anyone from outside the town must pay for use of the landfill, including the burn pits. There was one recent case of a person dumping garbage out at Camp Amache and town employees figured out who did the dumping as their names were on various pieces of mail found in the garbage. They will be required to pay a fine. In other matters, the Trustees may call in a plumber to track down an odor that has been noticed inside the community complex, apparently on the heels of the installation of the repaired ice machine. That may not be the cause, but they want to find the origin of the odors. Trustee Deb Choat commented on recent vandalism and graffiti found on the new equipment at the town park. Chief Dougherty and Officer Gorton will question some of the persons believed responsible. The town is moving ahead with the installation of a “Welcome to Granada” sign which will be erected pending some minor changes. One addition will be a mention of the town being established in 1873, as Granada is the oldest community in the county.

By Russ Baldwin