Granada Pricing Community-Sized Recycle Bins

Many rural communities in southeast Colorado are coming to terms with limited landfill space, coupled with what they term are costly regulations from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Granada recently received approval from CDPHE to dig a 300 foot long trench, 55 feet wide and ten feet deep which should give them about 18 months breathing space for their trash deposits and for results from water well tests to see if future trenches would require liners.

The Trustees are also pricing recycling bins which would contain clear and colored glass, cans and paper waste for recycling, but would not be used for everyday trash. Mayor Glenn Otto said, during the August 14^th meeting, that he’s priced one supplier from Las Animas that can provide the bins at about $5,000 for the four of them which could be set up on the south side of the town park.  The town would be charged an additional $1,000 a year for costs to haul the refuse to a recycling center.  The Trustees will explore possible grant funding to defray costs.  The bins would be available to any Granada resident.  Right now, anyone in the Granada School District can use the town dump.  Out of town residents, such as those from Bristol, are charged a minimum of $8 per barrel and are billed by the town instead of paying at the landfill.

The Town is seeking someone to maintain the Community Complex and the Arena building at Camp Amache. They decided on a fee of $400 a month which covers a weekly cleaning at the Complex and generally once a month for the Arena and prior to its being used.  Interested parties can apply for the position with the Town Clerk.

Dips in the road on Snowden and Irvin Streets are a concern for flooding and a build-up of ice during a winter freeze. Town Maintenance Supervisor, John McMillan said he had filled in the low spots some time ago with cold seal, but learned that was unacceptable from CDOT officials.  He advised the Trustees that he’s looking at other alternatives or let CDOT handle the repairs.

McMillan said the line used by town well #3 was recently flushed following some repairs and that also brought some phone calls on the rusty color of the water, which will improve. Rough weather caused a lightning resistor to burn out following a strike on well #2.  Winds brought down some branches on power lines on the north and south side of town and one resident had a fallen tree knock out their service line which has been repaired.

Trustee Kyle Jara briefed board members on details for the Pedal the Plains bicycling event which will impact Granada, September 13-15. “We expect over 1,100 riders to participate with many of those scheduled to stop in town for lunch on Friday, arriving in staggered groups of about 20, but we may see as many as 100 at one time.”  He said portions of the side streets off Highway 50 need to be partially blocked for the safety of the riders and residents and will have more details on the logistics.

The Granada Police Department has begun to take a head count of people inquiring in person for information or assistance as there have been 231 since February 1^st.  Poor weather curtailed the annual National Night Event on August 6^th and a makeup date will be announced.  Approximately 140 people turned out for the event.

The next Trustees meeting is set for Wednesday, September 11^th at 6:30pm.

By Russ Baldwin