LA VETA — After reporting that Halloween was absent of any tricks, La Veta Marshal Harold Willburn stated that was not the case on Monday night in La Veta. Willburn explained that someone had broken into the front door of the Ft. Francisco Museum Monday night. Additionally, break-ins were reported at the La Veta Public Library and the school cafeteria. The Marshal stated that, oddly, nothing was stolen in these break-ins except for the library door handle, which was broken off during that burglary. Although nothing was stolen during this crime spree, several items were “moved.” In the museum event, a flat screen TV had been removed from a wall and placed on a counter. Other items were moved as well. Apparently at the library a north outside entrance was left unlocked, allowing the burglar to enter a foyer, where a handle was broken off of a locked interior door and then stolen. A large picture in the foyer had been taken off of a wall and placed on the floor leaning against a wall. La Veta Schools Superintendent, Bree Lessar notified the Marshal Tuesday
morning that the school cafeteria and kitchen had been broken into on Monday night. In that incident, the perpetrator(s), after accessing the cafeteria, climbed up a stack of ceiling tiles and cut through screens on open windows to enter the kitchen. Two microwave ovens were moved, but again no valuables were taken. Willburn, said the museum’s burglar alarm was not working (it has since been repaired and is now operational) but the museum’s hazard alarm went off around 11:30 pm on Monday night. That resulted in a call from the alarm company on Tuesday morning. According to the Marshal, he has dusted for fingerprints and has reason to believe there is more than one person involved. After reviewing five applications for the Town Building Inspector position, the board agreed to interview three of those candidates on November 13, beginning at 5:45 pm. Trustee Shane Clouse moved, and the motion passed, to conduct 20 minute interviews with Alan Blakely, Rick Jennings and James Estes for the inspector position. Mayor Doug Brgoch suggested that if there was enough time after the interviews the board could also continue with the 2015 budget review process. Under new business the board voted to purchase two new computers for the town clerks. Brgoch noted that the existing computers are seven years old and monies had been earmarked in this year’s budget for the new computers. The board received a letter from Commnet Wireless asking the board to set a date for workers to replace a 2G Nokia Cabinet with a 3G ZTE Cabinet. Apparently three Commnet workers were in town last week to change out the equipment but the town had not been notified plus the workers had no documents or ID proving they worked for Commnet, so they were turned away. The work will now be completed around the end of November. Mayor Brgoch presented a letter from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs awarding the town a grant of $80,000 dollars to be used toward La Veta Mexican Ditch Bypass Stations. These stations are physical structures that will allow the town to better monitor via satellite water it owns as it is diverted from the Mexican Ditch, during irrigation season. This will save the town both time and money. The grant monies come from the state Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance funds and need to be matched with $80,000 from the town’s water fund. The Historic Preservation Committee informed the board via their October 15 meeting minutes there will be a joint meeting of the HPC, the Town Board, and the Ft. Francisco Museum Board on November 19, at 6 pm in the community center. Ms. Cynthia Nieb of the State Historical Fund will be on hand to discuss actions to be taken to preserve the adobe east wing of the Fort. In related news, the board voted to hold a public hearing at 6:45 pm on Nov. 18, in the community center to address the planned placement and setbacks of a portable storage shed on the museum grounds. Trustee Clouse updated the board on repairs to the Marshal’s office. Clouse said the new roof is 90% complete and the eaves have been extended by two feet to divert water away from the building. Additionally, gravel from the old roof will be used to assist in additional water drainage away from the outside walls. Mayor Brgoch followed up on the asbestos found while inspecting the old Marshal’s office, explaining that the town will have to address this issue. Town Clerk Laurie Erwin is checking on contractors along the front-range that are qualified in asbestos abatement work. Brgoch also informed the board that the town engineer is reviewing the request from the La Veta Fire Protection District to waive water and sewer tap fees. The board wants to be sure their projected costs are accurate and close to industry standards. Brgoch stated, “We need to know if this [waiving the fees] will be a costly endeavor.” The engineer is also looking into the washout drainage systems that will be used to capture wastes when department vehicles are cleaned after said vehicles go out on calls.
