by Brian Orr
WALSENBURG- The Walsenburg City Council met Tuesday evening and accepted Petroglyph Energy company’s offer to pay $75,000 to fund a preliminary engineering report about running a clean water line back up along Walsenburg’s raw water line back up to its higher water reservoirs.
Walsenburg is planning on bringing drinking water to some two dozen households along its raw water line, and Petroglyph would like to see if it would be feasible to also offshoot a water line into the River Ridge area, as a way of ameliorating The River Ridge water woes. Petroglyph would also like to look into the possibility of running River Ridge briny water from their pumps through Walsenburg’s water filtration system.
In other business, Will Sheldon came before the Council to explain his role in recent grant writing efforts on the City’s behalf. Sheldon began his work as a volunteer, but has shifted to being an independent contractor, paid by administrative fees in the grants. Several Council members were upset they had no idea Sheldon was “working” for the city, and felt there needed to be greater transparency, as Sheldon is the Mayor’s son.
City Administrator Alan Hein reported to the Council that Martin Lake valve replacement project is slightly ahead of schedule, with a drawdown of water in the lake to begin Oct. 15.
Hein reported he met with Hugh Brown, the man who is planning on building an independent grocery store in the north end of Walsenburg, and that plans for the store are moving forward. Brown has applied for loans, and the EPA has verbally given the go ahead to build on the proposed site.
The Board awarded Realtor Eric Bachman the official contract to market the City’s Kincaid ranch.
Assistant Administrator Beth Neece told Board that the 2010 insurance quote for the city will go up to $110,018, from $92,104.
Finally, the City’s wastewater treatment plant plans have been approved by the state and can now proceed.
