by Carol Dunn
LA VETA- During its regular meeting on March 4, the La Veta Board of Trustees authorized the replacement of the filter medium in the water treatment plant before the summer season begins. The used anthracite coal, the top eighteen inches of the filter, will be vacuumed out by Timber Ridge Excavation and replaced by 25,000 pounds of fresh material, installed by Town employees. The Town will have the use of about a half-million gallons of storage during the estimated 24 hours the plant will be out of service.
Trustees Dale Davis and Jesse Yarbrough reported that the inventory of street lights showed sixteen of the lights the Town is paying for were not working. The Board voted unanimously to have San Isabel Electric disconnect all street lights that are not on Highway 12 or on Town property, which should save the Town about $8,000 per year. The Streets and Alleys Committee will decide next week which lights will be disconnected.
Regarding the application to reserve the park for Art in the Park, Sjani Boggs said that the organizers have addressed several items that were issues in 2007: restrooms, trash, parking and music. The Board approved the reservation; the event will be held July 5-6, 2008.
The Huerfano County Historical Society was granted permission to use the Francisco Fort saloon for its Old West Saloon Night museum fund raiser on June 7. The Board also voted to have a public hearing on April 15 at 6:45 pm to discuss granting a special events liquor license for the event.
Jason White and Ellen Wyland have requested that the Town install a stop sign on South Birch Street at the intersection with Cuchara Street. Their letter to the trustees stated that motorists exceeding the speed limit are presenting a danger to the residents. Trustee Davis expressed concern that a County Road is involved. He suggested that the Streets and Alleys Committee look at the problem on site with law enforcement personnel.
George French reported that Francisco Fort’s repairs are nearly complete. The new foundation is finished and the wall is now stable. He showed the Board a sample of the silver sealant for the exterior metal panels. A wood floor still needs to be repaired, and a “floating” wall must be stabilized. The total cost of the repairs will be about $900 over budget.
A sewer tap application was approved for Tom and Sandy Johnston for a home at Virginia and Oak.
The next meeting will be March 17.
