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

Haxtun Town Clerk and Treasurer Karie Wilson recently announced her plans for retirement after more than two decades of service. Wilson read her retirement letter aloud for members of the Haxtun Town Council in a meeting last Monday night at the community center.

The Monday, Feb. 7 meeting opened with Wilson’s announcement of retirement and closed with news from Mayor Brandon Biesemeier that he will not be able to fulfill the term of his four-year elected position.

Biesemeier was elected as Mayor, a four-year term, during general elections two years ago. In an unofficial statement to the Council, Biesemeier said he and his wife, Julia, and their two sons, plan to move to his family’s farm outside of city limits. Doing so will not allow him to serve as the Mayor of Haxtun.

While he provided no specific date, Biesemeier said he expects the move to take place sometime this fall. Wilson plans to look further into election rules and regulations over the next few weeks for the proper format in finding Biesemeier’s replacement as Mayor.

In addition to appointing or electing a new mayor this fall, four council member seats will be up during election season including those currently held by Lori Lundgren, Bob Coinek, Rob Martinez and Mike Ensminger.

In her resignation letter to the Council, Wilson said she plans to retire effective June 1. “After 24 years of parking my vehicle next to the Town Hall, it’s time for me to move it on down the road,” she said. “I have truly enjoyed my past work and will always look back on it as an honor and a privilege to have been able to sevre our community, its citizens and the Town Council in this way.”

Biesemeier told Wilson that the Town of Haxtun will forever be indebted to her for all she has done and seen in her 24 years of service. “You’ve seen lots of change, sometimes good, sometimes bad, but we are indebted to your service for those years,” he told her.

In discussing Wilson’s plans to retire in the next few months, council members opted to take action to fill her position immediately while appointing current Deputy Clerk Kelsie Harms to the Clerk/Treasurer position effective June 1.

The Town of Haxtun plans to activity begin seeking a deputy clerk. Hopes are to advertise, interview and hire someone for the position while also allowing ample time for training before Wilson’s final day at Town Hall.

Harms has been with the Town of Haxtun in the deputy clerk position for five years. “She has been an asset to the Town since day one,” Wilson said of Harms.

Later in the meeting, council members reviewed and voted on bids to compete construction of the new Town Shop. Bids were recently requested for finishing work on the shop, which is currently being construction on the west end of Strohm Street on the edge of Haxtun’s city limits.

Before discussing bids and details, Town Superintendent Ron Carpenter noted that a great portion of shop construction funds are coming from grant money from the Department of Local Affairs. Utilizing grants funds for construction also means following grant guidelines, Carpenter said, which includes selecting the lowest, reasonable bid for work.

Ultimately, the Council voted to accept bids from the following: Cochran and Vandenbark for framing and finishing office space and bathrooms; LEC Construction for concrete work; Precision Plumbing and Heating for plumbing in the bathrooms, sinks and in-floor heat; Lyle’s Service for the HVAC work; and Fetzer Electric for the electrical needs of the new shop. Plans are to move into the new shop this fall.

In other business the Council:

• Approved a special event liquor permit for the Haxtun Gun Club for a fundraising event at the Haxtun Community Center;

• Appointed Carpenter and Ensminger as representatives to the CAMU organization;

• Approved an engagement letter with Lauer, Szabo for the annual audit;

• Discussed the possibility of designated truck routes through Town;

• Discussed employee residency requirements that would allow non-emergent employees residency within a 10 mile radius outside of city limits and five miles for those serving on the police department;

• Approved the following building permits: Christy Freemyer, 422 East Strohm Street for a shed; Dave Green, 422 North Colorado Avenue to finish a basement; and Kim Bowers, 106 South Lincoln for a bathroom remodel.