The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

Spread throughout the large room of the Haxtun Community Center to practice social distancing, members of the Haxtun Town Council voted to approve a resolution to continue a previous emergency declaration of local disaster declared by Mayor Todd Workman on March 31.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Workman acted on the last day of March to declare a state of local emergency for the Town of Haxtun. That move by the Town’s mayor was only good for seven days, so during their April 6 meeting, council members moved to extended that declaration, giving the Town of Haxtun the opportunity to be eligible for assistance from the State and Federal levels to continue to ensure the public’s health and welfare.

The resolution states that the coronavirus pandemic is causing widespread human and economic impacts to the Town of Haxtun and following similar orders from the President of the United States and the Governor of the State of Colorado, the Mayor and the Council acted, citing the fact that the cost and magnitude of responding to and recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may be far in excess of the Town’s available resources.

The continuation of the Mayor’s declaration will allow the Town access to local emergency funds, Federal and State assistance and authorize adjustments to policies, procedures and ordinances to ensure the public’s health and welfare.

After approving the declaration of local disaster, council members moved to approve a policy to allow electronic participation for public meetings, should it be needed during the current pandemic situation. Right now, the Council continues to meet in person, in a larger facility to allow for each member to practice social distancing, while giving the public room to do the same should any be present at the meeting.

The new policy will, however, allow council members to meet electronically should the need arise throughout the current COVID-19 situation.

Moving onto other items of business, the Town Council voted to approve a right-of-way request at the Haxtun airport from Highline Electric. Clerk Karie Wilson said the utility company plans to lay new underground lines at the airport, particularly near the north/south emergency grass runway. Highline Electric also plans to install a new transformer at the municipal airport located on County Road 7 just east of Haxtun.

The Council also discussed and acted on employee health insurance rates for the coming year through the Colorado Employer Benefit Trust. Wilson said council members approved coverage for the coming year as it currently is with an expected 6.5 percent increase.

In other business, the Council:

• Reviewed liquor applications from Outback Cookin’ and Catering. A public hearing on the matter is set for May 4;

• Agreed to extended the pet license deadline within Town limits to June 1 to allow citizens more time to get animals to the vet and then to register them with the Town of Haxtun with provided documentation;

• Heard from Superintendent Ron Carpenter who said plans are in the works to repaint lines at the airport and grade school parking lot;

• Received a report from Police Chief Tanya Mayhew, who said she is working to bring a public speaker to Haxtun Schools in October 2021 who will address Internet and app safety;

• The following building permits were approved: Jeff Otto, 141 North Wayne Avenue for a kitchen remodel; Lynn Kier, 333 North Wayne Avenue for a re-roof; David Bickford, 135 North Colorado Avenue for a remodel of the existing Legion building; James Crist, 305 East Bryan Street for drywall and insulation in a garage; Heather Dee, 803 West Strohm Street to install a doorway; Monty Phillips, 230 North Washington Avenue for egress windows; and Karie Imhof, 105 North Iris Avenue to replace steps.