Haxtun Swimming Pool to remain closed for season

It’s official, Haxtun will not open the swimming pool this summer season. The Town Council took official action on the pool’s opening during a meeting early last week. State mandates regarding strict guidelines for indoor swimming pools allow for only four persons at a time due to the current COVID-19 situation. That, along with problems getting parts to fix the current pool, forced the Council to make the decision to close the pool this season.

Mandates set forth by Colorado’s Governor Jared Polis as well as from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment have placed strict regulations on public gatherings, which includes both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. All indoor pools are to have no more than four persons at a time while outdoor pools are allowed to run at 50 percent capacity.

Additionally, Haxtun Superintendent Ron Carpenter has ordered parts needed to repair parts of the swimming pool system, but they have yet to arrive to do so. These situations have tied the hands of local council members forcing them to vote to close the pool for the 2020 summer season.

However, Town representatives have been working in other areas to host activities for kids in the Haxtun community this summer. As they have for a number of years, Haxtun rec committee members are hosting Summer Fun activities, which are held every Wednesday throughout the months of June and July at the community center. According to Haxtun Town Clerk Karie Wilson, slots are still open for activities. For more information, contact the Haxtun Town Hall at (970) 774-6104.

Additionally, the Haxtun Library plans to host a summer reading program, which will take place outside in order to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. Registration is taking place now. Information can be found on Facebook at Haxtun Public Library or at the Library and Town Hall.

Despite Boarder League softball and baseball cancellations, the Town of Haxtun is also working to bring summer ball camps to children in the community. Registration for camp is due by June 12 with plans to begin camp the following week. For more information contact the Town Hall. Camps are planned for t-ball, machine pitch, softball and baseball.

At the start of the Monday, June 1 meeting, council members voted to appoint Bob Coinek to fill a vacancy left by Brandon Biesemeier after he was elected to serve as Mayor in recent elections. Coinek ran for one of three open seats on the Council but came in fourth in the number of votes. He was present at the meeting and was sworn in following his appointment. Coinek will serve a two-year term until the next election in which he would be required to run for a seat if he would so choose.

Last Monday’s agenda included a line item to set a public hearing for the Haxtun Chamber of Commerce for a special events permit for Old-Fashioned Saturday Night; typically held the third Saturday in July. However, that date was not yet set. Chamber Director Jenn Oberle and President Julie Thayer were present at the meeting and spoke during public comment regarding upcoming Chamber sponsored events and current restrictions in place.

The two did not have specifics on date or event changes but said things may look differently for 2020 events due to COVID-19.

During his report to the Council, Carpenter said the Town’s trash truck was still in the repair shop and crews were still utilizing a borrowed truck from Holyoke to pick up trash. Additionally, he said he has two bids from Ward electric on upcoming projects, including replacing some power poles and work in the Wheatlands Heights area.

Carpenter also told the Council there has been interest in the Town’s generator and a crew is expected to come collect the large piece of equipment in early July and remove all pieces at no cost to the Town. Carpenter plans to move the bulk fuel tank from the generator site to the town shop just on the west end of Haxtun.

The Superintendent also noted that he has hired two seasonal employees and is currently seeking one full-time employee. This summer, crews plan to resurface the 100 block of East Wilson Street in front of the community center as well as a block of Raymond Street in front of Woodside Accounting. That work is expected to take place in July.

Police Chief Tanya Mayhew gave an update on the hiring process to fill a current vacancy in her department. She said five applicants underwent interviews with the oral board and further testing will take place followed by additional interviews pending test results.

At the end of the meeting, during her report, Wilson said Deputy Clerk Kelsey Harms worked closely with Melinda Groshans to obtain a variance from the State to be able to host gymkhana events at the Haxtun arena, which will take place throughout the summer. She also said the Town Hall lobby is back open after closing due to the COVID-19 situation.

During council concerns, Coinek asked about the state of the crossings at the railroad tracks. Mayor Biesemeier said he would draft a letter to send to the railroad. Coinek also asked about the Town designing a website.

In an earlier, special meeting held on May 18, members of the Haxtun Town Council voted on a liquor license application submitted by Outback Cookin’ and Catering. By a roll call vote, the motion passed with all members voting in favor. During the required public hearing for the liquor application, it was noted by some council members that the Outback Cookin’ and Catering would need to be cautious during special events that alcohol was not taken from the premise to the street and vice versa.

The following building permits were approved over the past month: Rod Salvador, 451 East Edmund Avenue to reside a garage; Mark Oman, 206 North Colorado Avenue for new decking and trip; Brittany Kurtzer, 545 East Raymond Street to pour concrete inside a shop; Bob and Connie Easterly, 501 East Bryan Street for a concrete driveway; Jerry Wagoner, 137 North Wayne Avenue for residing; Steve Cavalli, 337 North Logan Avenue for a fence; Cesar Mendoza, 225 East Chase Street for concrete work; Brandon Biesemeier, 337 North Colorado Avenue for a re-roof; and Robert Martinez, 626 Prospect Circle for a garage/outbuilding.