by Carol Dunn
LA VETA- At the February 12 meeting of the Cucharas Sanitation and Water District, Chairman Leon Skaggs confirmed that he will not seek re-election to the District Board. Skaggs was originally appointed to fill out the term of Jim Vietti for a period of one year. Aside from a two-year hiatus because of the District’s term limits, Skaggs served the District Board for a total of thirteen years. There are two other Board seats that expire in April. Dan Brewer and Jim Howard are planning to seek re-election. If you are interested in serving on the District Board, the deadline for self-nomination forms is February 26. Contact the District office at 742-3108 for more information. The election will be held April 6.
General Manager Bob Northup reported to the Board that a lot of work has been done at the wastewater treatment plant. The crew is also reassembling the dump truck after engine repairs.
Since the winter has been so cold, Northup said the frost is driving three to four feet deep, endangering residential water lines. Northup said the staff stays aware of residences where the water consumption seems unusually high and will notify absentee homeowners that they may have a water break.
The SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) system is back online at the ski resort. Northup said the system had multiple intermittent problems ever since a lightning strike in 2008. The District has purchased a new extended warranty, which will cover the system for future problems, including lightning strikes.
Northup said the District is currently involved in four active water court cases: Mexican Ditch filing (by La Veta); the augmentation plan for the Rocky Flat Gravel Pit; augmentation for the well at the CSWD wastewater plant; and opposition to the Kohler Ditch filing (by Walsenburg).
