By Andrew Nygaard
The Holyoke Enterprise 

RV campground to be expanded at Harvest Park in Holyoke

 

December 8, 2021

(Courtesy photo from The Holyoke Enterprise)

A RECREATIONAL vehicle is pictured at the Harvest Park RV campground in Holyoke. Changes to the size and number of parking spaces are coming in order to accommodate harvesters and make sure there is enough room during Phillips County Fair.

Phillips County Commissioners have made progress on the expansion of the Harvest Park recreational vehicle campground, as reported at their end-of-month meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 24.

The existing RV parking spaces were built less than 10 feet wide. This causes space issues since many RVs have slide-outs that make them wider.

Commissioners noted that they currently have one estimate for the expansion project, and they're hoping to get another.

There are 14 spaces at the park that will be left alone since they are 11-12 feet wide. There are currently 30 spaces that are less than 10 feet wide and these will be changed into 15 spaces that are 20 feet wide. A total of 12 new spaces that are 18 feet wide will also be added to the park.

The commissioners emphasized that these changes will be important to make sure that there is enough room during Phillips County Fair and to accommodate harvesters.

Conditional hire of deputy sheriff approved

At its Nov. 19 meeting, the board approved hiring Darrell Smith as a Phillips County deputy sheriff effective Dec. 15, on the condition that he satisfactorily pass the Peace Officer Standards and Training examination Dec. 14.

County pays half the cost to replace

fiber-optic cables, pole

Last month, the board agreed to pay $4,123.65 to replace fiber-optic cables that were damaged during the new build of County Road 35 between County Road 26 and Highway 6. Commissioners also voted to pay $471.33 to replace a Highline pole that was damaged Aug. 24 approximately seven miles east of Holyoke on County Road 53. Both amounts were half of the cost for the repairs.

The vote was unanimous to pay half the cost to replace the fiber-optic cables. Commissioners were split regarding the pole, with Terry Hofmeister and Tom Timm voting "yes" and Garold Roberts "no."

Regarding the fiber-optic cables, commissioners reported that the design of the road would have required the cables to be reburied in any case, since they had to change the contour to accommodate the slope of the land. This lowered the road by 4-5 feet in places and the cables were cut.

The pole in question was damaged in an accident that occurred when a county worker backed into it while maintaining the county road.

Commissioners checked with the county's insurance company, but coverage was denied due to sovereign immunity, a statute that says the county isn't liable for damage on its rights-of-way, due to the amount of potential exposure that counties, states and municipalities have.

Roberts reported that he had met with PC Telcom CEO/General Manager Vince Kropp and Highline Electric Association General Manager Dennis Herman regarding the incidents.

Commissioners emphasized that they think the world of PC Telcom and HEA. They also noted that they followed the democratic process, which ended with the decision to approve the payments.

Commissioners hear Aurora Dairy update

Last month, commissioners heard an update from Brian England and Lance McBride with Aurora Dairy, who commissioners said want to be in operation as soon as they can.

They are in the process of moving the office onto the property, and all the pens are done. They will be putting in a rubber synthetic liner for the pit and they have not yet started on the sectional fencing.

Wind farm

moratorium discussed

Commissioners reported that they were hopeful to get information back from a consultant they've hired to look into regulations specific to wind farms.

The six-month moratorium on the processing of permits related to the construction of any wind farm system or facility within the county, which began Oct. 19, is still in place. Commissioners noted that they have not received any applications for permits and have not had to turn anyone away.

Conditional use

permit approved

The board approved a conditional use permit submitted by Francisco Quintana regarding a 12-acre property just north of Holyoke on the west side of Highway 385.

It is allowable for the property to be used for various outdoor activities, including but not limited to rodeos, soccer, minifairs, dances and receptions.

The conditions attached include:

• Trash will be managed in a way that has no adverse effect on neighboring property. Phillips County Sheriff's Office allows open burning when there is no wind, and the fire must always be monitored. If an active burn ban is in place, then burning is not permitted. Phillips County Communications Center must be provided with the location prior to starting the open burn and must be notified when the fire is extinguished.

• A section of the property must be designated for event parking. Overflow parking is prohibited within 30 feet of a stop sign, in such a manner that would obstruct traffic, on the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge of the road, where law enforcement indicates no parking and more than one foot from the edge of the road.

In other business last month, commissioners:

• Heard a report that 28 loads of material were hauled to the city of Holyoke for the new fire station project.

• Approved roadway occupancy agreements submitted by High Plains Construction Services LLC for underground construction of one four-inch high-density polyethylene waterline across County Road 20 from section 22 to section 15 and two across County Road 33 from section 22 to section 23.

• Approved a request from Holyoke Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Holly Ferguson to use the front courthouse lawn for a community Christmas tree that will be lit at a ceremony for the Country Christmas Parade of Lights on Monday, Dec. 6. The board agreed to allow the chamber to use the courthouse electricity and the courthouse square front yard for the ceremony.

• Renewed the farm ground lease at Phillips County Landfill with Duane Harms for 2022. The lease is for 57 acres at $35 per acre for an annual lease of $1,995.

• Approved the B&B Investment 2022 Phillips County Raceway contract and schedule.

• Approved allowing local football teams use the Bank of Colorado Pavilion as an alternative practice field in inclement weather if the facility is available and the necessary paperwork completed.

• Approved the subdivision exemption request by Verdis and Pam Vieselmeyer to sell 9.4 acres to Jared and Megan Schipper northeast of Holyoke.

 

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