At Nucla’s Town Board of Trustees meeting Jan. 28, Deb Stueber went before those in attendance with a Dark Skies presentation. Stueber asked the board to renew their West End Dark Sky Alliance membership and to support the lighting ordinances, making sure the public is informed. Stueber said she thinks perhaps including information with mailers for the public could be helpful. She’d also like to see a trustee attend WEDSA board meetings, maybe just a few times a year. Additionally, she said another letter of support from the board would be welcome for the Dark Sky Reserve that’s in the application process now. For the big picture, Stueber said it’s important for all new projects, whether that’s solar, energy, housing subdivisions or something else, to be vetted for Dark Sky compliance.
On the agenda, Britt Hoff’s HnH Signs had requested a variance to put an additional structure on her commercial property at 6th and Main, specifically for a large printer and some other work for her design business. Trustees expressed some concern about the electricity, since it’s run from the main building. The board agreed to send the building inspector out to make sure it’s up to code before the variance is granted.
John Reed, of the VFW, has been working on a static display, some piece of retired equipment from the U.S. Armed Forces, to be determined by military officials. Reed confirmed the VFW will cover insurance liability, and he was approved to apply for the display.
Trustees looked at a copy of Naturita’s drought water resolution. Mayor Paula Brown said it’s a good draft, but some things are missing that Nucla will need to add, especially concerning raw water and stages of water restrictions.
The board revisited the donation to Hoof & Paw’s animal shelter for repairs. The animal welfare nonprofit got another bid for their roof from Jeff Sonnenberg, with labor being $3,500 less than the original bid. Still, Nucla trustees said they need to know whether the materials are being donated from Alpine Lumber and what the exact costs of each item are.
Trustee Joseph Hittinger said he questions improving a building that the Town of Naturita owns, and splitting repair costs 50-50 with Naturita. Still, he said he does want to help the shelter animals. Town Clerk-Manager Jessica Davis will request a budget breakdown from Hoof & Paw.
The mayor continues to request the town find resolution regarding the property line discrepancy at her personal residence. The town was supposed to evenly “swap” footage from Ash to Birch streets, but they only added footage to Birch. Brown wants the even exchange and to quit paying extra for property taxes on what’s supposed to be town land. That issue will go to a work session.
Mayor Pro Tem Tim Pierce discussed the Energy Impact Assistance Funds (EIAF) grant, but told the board it’s a 1:1 matching grant, and at $350,000 the towns of Nucla, Naturita and also Mustang Water Authority together would have to come up with $175,000. He told the Forum after the meeting it’s doable, if the entities use Just Transition funds, and Patrick Rondinelli of the state’s Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) said that should be OK.
Pierce told the Forum the EIAF grant would go for inspection of the main waterline, making sure there’s no deterioration. Likely, what’s next is another grant application for a new main waterline, making the current one Nucla’s service line.
Davis questioned the old bell tower in the Nucla Town Park and its deterioration. Pierce said the location is fine and to think about adjusting the watering system to keep moisture off it.
Yet again, the town will interview and potentially hire one of two applicants for the dual position of code enforcement and animal control officer.
Finally, the mayor wants to implement a social media policy that would affect town staff and board members. Pierce told the Forum after the meeting it’s about making sure personal views don’t get mistaken for the town’s position on issues, and to ensure officials and trustees don’t get into online arguments.
