Granada Begins Search for New Trustee, Continues to Repair Hail Damage

Deb Choat offered a series of statements addressed to her fellow Granada Trustees before she tendered her verbal resignation from the board during the Trustee’s monthly meeting, Wednesday, August 8^th.  Mayor Glenn Otto said that as Granada has no wards or districts, any qualified resident may submit a letter of intent to the town office to be considered to serve the remainder of Choat’s term.

The town is back to square one on replacement roofs on the Complex building, Amache Museum and the old fire department due to the hail storm that pounded the town several weeks ago. About half the Complex roof had been replaced just recently from last year’s August storm when the new one started the damage all over again.  A number of street lights and operating sensors were also damaged in the storm and an estimate will be made for their replacement.  Because the controlling sensors were destroyed, some of the lights are not shutting off during daytime hours.

The Trustees approved the offer to set up a GoFundMe account by the Friends of Amache organization. The money raised will be used to help offset insurance claims, deductibles and repairs for low income Granada residents whose homes were damaged by the hail storm.  While it is a straightforward premise to help low income residents, the devil is in the details and the Trustees will need to establish a number of legal and financial guidelines to impartially receive and disseminate the donations during the life of the account.

An ordinance to vacate an alley in the town will be drawn up for first and second readings by the September Trustee meeting on the recommendation of town attorney, Darla Scranton Specht. The matter was brought before the Trustees during their July meeting. According to meeting minutes, the alley runs between the property of Connie Vega near Irvine Street.

Granada Police Chief, David Dougherty, stated the town has received a used 2012 Chevy Impala from Bent County to be used as a police vehicle. Dougherty told the Trustees he mentioned the town’s situation during a recent regional meeting the received the offer from Bent County.  The Chief noted about 200 residents came out for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 7^th and was informed that any remaining funds and donations could be carried over to help pay for next year’s event.  Dougherty told the Trustees that the annual Fiesta de Colores parade has been approved for the September 15^th event.

Information from the Granada Trustees’ July Meeting from approved minutes:

During their July 11th meeting, Granada Trustees approved the installation of vinyl street signs created by the school’s FFA class. Kyle Jara told the board the cost would be approximately $1,300 for vinyl rather than reflected paint and the board could consider the cost to move forward for their installation during their August meeting.

The Trustees approved the installation of a 30 foot by 20 foot pavilion for the south end of the town park following the presentation made by John Hopper and Jerene DeBono. The pavilion will be provided by the Amache Preservation Society.

Ordinance 2018-004 was approved on second reading, allowing golf carts to be driven on town streets after dark. The Trustees also approve the renewal of Sylwa’s Liquor License with Deb Choat abstaining from the vote.

Efforts are being made to secure a Department of Local Affairs grant to purchase a new water storage tank for the town as well as grant funding needed to maintain the landfill with CDPHE compliance regulations. The Granada Police Department responded to 66 calls for service in June, ranging from animal problems, theft, juvenile problems and traffic hazards and offenses.  Twenty-five citations were issued.

By Russ Baldwin