Granada Trustees Approve Tree Trimming Project

The Granada Board of Trustees accepted a $30,000 bid for needed tree trimming in the community during their monthly meeting, October 10.  Tree branches are extending past a safety margin, coming into contact with power lines around the community.  The Trustees accepted the bid from All Seasons Tree Service out of Pueblo of which half will be paid in 2012 and the balance in early 2013.  The board had allocated $15,000 in the 2012 budget.  Limbs and branches will be cut back from five to 7 feet at a minimum and the job should hold for from three to five years, depending on the type of trees before the next cutting.  It will be a turnkey performance which should be completed three weeks from the start, probably early next week.  The company will also block off those streets where the work will take place and will chip the wood and haul it to the landfill.  The mulch and firewood should be stacked at the landfill by the company as well. 

The question of responsibility for shrub growth along secondary lines from the meter to a person’s building was asked by John McMillan, Granada Field Service Manager.  The rule of thumb is from the meter out is the power company’s responsibility, but from the meter in, falls to the property owner.  McMillan asked the Trustees for guidance regarding current and future billing issues when his department needs to clean up shrub and tree growth from power lines on private property when the owner has not.  The standard fee for Granada is $55 per hour.   

The Trustees voted to donate $300 towards the purchase of a brand new ice machine for the Senior’s Complex.  The old model can no longer be repaired and a replacement is estimated at $1,500.  The Seniors are working on donations with the Granada Pride Committee contributing $300 along with other donations solicited from local groups. 

Jackie Malone, Town Clerk, will search out the best deal for a new leased copier for the town.  She was told that the Wiley Town Board recently got a new one and will check with them and local carriers for a new Xerox.  Malone and Granada Police Chief, David Dougherty were give approval for the Trustees to attend a one day seminar in Denver this November regarding proper application forms for future JAG grants.  The town is still waiting on a status report of the landfill inspection performed by the Colorado Department of Health & Environment.  Trustee DeBono said changes will be needed at the landfill to meet state requirements or change the landfill into a transfer station.  The Trustees earlier said this is not financially feasible. 

Complex rentals were approved through October and up to November 26 for the traditional tree lighting and visit from Santa.  A community wide yard sale will be held October 20, the Post Office will hold a meeting on October 23, the Senior Citizens reserved the Complex for the evening of October 29 and the November General Election on November 6 will be held in the Complex.

Kids on Playground Equipment at Granadad Park

 Granada Police Chief Dougherty made his report to the Trustees, showing the number of calls made in August and the breakdown.  Chief Dougherty got estimates for a live, security camera system overlooking the town park.  Sections of the park have been vandalized over the past few months.  The chief noted that an IGA, intergovernmental agreement is pending between the town and CDOT regarding financing and preliminary survey work for the Safe Routes to School Program.  A surveyor would cost $1,500 and Trustee DeBono asked if the fee could be taken from the CDOT grant.

Discussion on starting a business in the community was tabled until next session when Carrie Vigil, who requested time before the Trustees, will be available.  Prowers County Commissioners Gene Millbrand and Henry Schnabel attended the Trustees meeting with a request to help fund PCDI, Prowers County Development Incorporated, if only on a minor scale.  Millbrand said past efforts by Lisa Nolder and some future developments for economic job growth should help benefit Granada’s finances and citizens.  Millbrand said other communities in the county are being asked for similar contributions to help fund this year’s PCDI budget. 

The Trustees adjourned into two executive sessions with Town Attorney Darla Scranton Specht on personnel issues.  The Trustees called an additional executive session on October 17 for matters dealing with one of the two previous issues.

By Russ Baldwin

Filed Under: BusinessCommissionerscommunityCountyEconomyEmploymentFeaturedGranadaPolice ReportsPublic SafetySchoolUtilities

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