Marquez New Granada Trustee, More Landfill Discussions

Traegon Marquez took his oath of office as a Granada Trustee, April 11^th, replacing Carrie Esquibel in that position.  A municipal election was held on April 3^rd.  Returning Trustees included Pete Hernandez, Andria Riddle and Argie Thrall, with Mayor Glenn Otto also receiving his oath of office for a new term.  The Trustees were briefed on responsibilities, duties and potential conflicts of interest by town attorney, Darla Scranton Specht.

Several months ago, the Trustees decided to maintain the town’s landfill instead of having it closed. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment had said it would provide some funding for landfill operations, whether it remained opened or closed, mostly for monitoring  devices such as wells and capping a closed landfill.  Discussion focused Wednesday night on a proposed transfer station being considered by the Town of Holly.  Granada recently raised landfill fees to help cover the costs of operation and the Trustees felt that local residents could not sustain another increase, perhaps as much as from $36 to $40 to opt in to using the Holly transfer station, if and when it becomes operational, perhaps as far as two to three years off.  The Granada Trustees are applying for a DoLA grant to initiate a ‘cost of closure’ plan should one be required for the landfill.  So far, the plan is to keep it open.

In other action, Harmon Lawn Care received the bid to continue to maintain the town’s parks and an outline of those duties will be forthcoming. The Trustees tabled a plan to have Granada High School students create street signs for the community.  There were too many other projects on the table for the students, so the matter will be discussed for the next school session.

The Granada Complex will host the Prowers Economic Prosperity meeting on Tuesday, June 5^th beginning at Noon and the Trustees okayed the request from Fred and Norma Dorenkamp for bronc riding at the Arena on June 1^st and 2^nd.  A building permit was approved for an addition to a house on West Walnut Street.

By Russ Baldwin