Granada Trustees Review Landfill Upgrade Options

An assessment of improvements to the Granada landfill will be reviewed in Denver Tuesday, March 19.  The Compliance Meeting was called by the Colorado Department of Health and Environment and will be attended locally by Granada Trustee Jerene DeBono, Keith Siemsen from the Prowers County Health and Environment Department and County Commissioner, Wendy Buxton-Andrade.  DeBono and the Granada Trustees reviewed the changes and improvements that will be discussed at the meeting, as well as the landfill deficiencies that need to be corrected.  One central concern of the Trustees is the ability to pay for the cost of listed improvements as some recommendations, such as an industrial grade trash compactor, are far outside the town’s budget boundaries.  Some other areas, such as record keeping of past landfill pits, posting of signage regulating prohibited waste products and landfill hours can be and have been corrected.  The Trustees agreed there will be a need for more consistent monitoring of activities at the landfill, but the means of affording it are crucial to keeping in compliance with state landfill mandates. 

The board and Granada Police Chief David Dougherty reviewed the proposed alteration of deferment fees for traffic violations and other municipal court costs, pending approval.  Granada has been losing revenue through reduced deferment fees given to motorists who have been ticketed for a variety of fines.  To counteract the financial loss, a deferment fee of 85% of the original fine will be levied, if allowed by the judge.  The Victim’s Assistance Program would receive a surcharge of 37% of the original fine and a court cost fee of $50 would be levied as well.  The proceeds from the surcharge and deferment fee would offset the loss to the community.  Some traffic violators will opt for a deferment fee, usually higher than one paid for a regular offense, as a means of keeping points off their license or incurring increased insurance rates because of their driving record. 

In other action, the Granada Board of Trustees approved a liquor license renewal for Chez DuVall’s Restaurant, approved bids for park maintenance to be sent out next month, and approved the costs for John McMillan to attend a mosquito workshop in Pueblo next month.  The town community building rentals were also approved for a variety of events scheduled to the end of May.  A rabies clinic has been set for April 11 between 6pm and 7:30pm. 

The board noted a letter of interest from the Department of Anthropology at the University of Denver, to allow interested students to return to Camp Amache next year.  Students have conducted historical research with the Amache Preservation Society every two years since 2008, and said they were interested in scheduling a return trip for the summer of 2014. 

Preparations have been made for the community Youth Easter Egg Hunt, Sunday, March 24 beginning at 2pm in the town park.  Three age groups will have an opportunity to search for eggs at the park.  The treats were prepared by Granada Gifted & Talented students at the school as well as members of the Senior Citizens Community Group.  The Trustees expressed thanks for those businesses and organizations who devoted their time to the hunt, and said there may be more planned community-oriented activities in the near future.

By Russ Baldwin