Publications

Contact Us

La Veta Town Board passes 2016 budget

LA VETA — The La Veta Town Board passed the 2016 budget in their regular meeting on December 1. The town’s General Fund beginning balance as of January 1, for 2016 will be $840,032, with a total revenue of $2,544,248. The town’s Water Enterprise Fund as of January 1, 2016 will be $938,560 and the Sewer Enterprise fund will start the year at $619,633. Full copies of the budget are available at town hall. In old business, the board met with DD Wireless owner Michael Sanders to discuss his lease for a wireless transmitter at La Veta Airport. Sanders was amenable to addressing and meeting the towns concerns. Mayor Doug Brgoch pointed out an unpaid electric bill from five years ago when the lease began. Sanders said he would pay it. Brgoch noted only the town’s water treatment plant was using the DD service, yet apparently other town facilities were supposed to be getting service from DD. A lengthy discussion followed with the understanding the service is not currently needed for town hall, the marshal’s office, or the community center. There was some confusion as to whether the museum is using the service, which needs to be resolved. DD’s tower at the airport will be raised by 10 feet allowing expanded service to La Veta/Cuchara. The town will rework the lease to include an insurance policy from Sanders covering the town for $1 million. Under New Business, the board tabled the renewal of an agricultural lease with Jill Bailey, in order to study it more closely and look at the

possibility of a walking trail going through the land. The board did not receive its usual update on the sewer improvement project, as the project is almost complete. Brgoch said, “There is a small amount of work to be done on Cherry Street and a punch list to go through.” Additionally, remaining funds will be used to buy and stockpile 300 tons of gravel, to be used to repair and improve alleys damaged during the project’s work. Deputy Marshal Jim Chamberlain provided an update to the board. He explained there is confusion regarding proper use of learner driving permits. These permits require that an adult be in the car with the young driver, even when going to and from school. Some families appear to be unaware of this. Chamberlain added that the marshal’s office is using a ‘Drive Smart’ program with the school to encourage students to buckle up. Chamberlain informed the board a Medicare scam has been reported in town, and it is sophisticated. Calls are being made to residents informing them their pain medicine benefits have been expanded. The callers seem to have crucial information such as the residents’ doctor’s name, address and more. Chamberlain said these calls often come on weekends and after hours, when the federal government is closed, which should raise a red flag for citizens. He encouraged La Veta residents to visit the website, ‘Stop Medicare Fraud.org’ to learn more or to call the marshal’s office.

Cement plant concerns

Building inspector suggests a negotiated move out of Northlands to site near prison WALSENBURG — The Walsenburg City Council convened a special meeting Friday, March

Read More »