Eads Board: New Truck Parking and Art at Roadside Park

By Chris Sorensen

KCP Staff

September 17, 2004

The Town of Eads Board of Trustees met in regular session August 10 with board members Bill Barlow, Dennis Pearson, Larry Michael, CJ Filbeck, Charles Howard, Cardon Berry and Mayor Larry Michael present. Board member Diane Crow was absent.

Van Brown, Director of Public Works, reported that work to create a parking area for trucks and other oversized vehicles east of the roadside park was mostly complete. Berry said he had had a difficult time contacting state-level Department of Transportation officials to determine if the town could knock out a portion of the curb for an entrance, so he decided to contact Ted Dolph, a member of the local CDOT crew. Together they contacted CDOT officials in Lamar, who stated that since the area in question was within the town limits, the town was free to create the entrance. With that guidance, the curb was cut out for an entrance, and county road and bridge crews hauled in loads of gravel, though more will eventually be needed. Brown suggested that asphalt millings from next year’s Maine Street resurfacing project could also be used on the parking surface. A segment of fence has been removed, and a stepping stone path will connect the parking area to the main park.

Michael reported that three bronze statues will be set at various locations around town August 21. The statues are from a program created by Southeast Colorado Enterprise Development to place artwork in area communities on a rotating basis.

Cameron Miller from Eads cable television provider Galaxy was present to announce the impending sale of Galaxy’s Colorado systems to Champion Cable, LLC, based in Castle Rock, and to request that the board approve a franchise transfer to Champion. Miller said that, while he could not speak for the new company, changes to the system were not expected immediately, and current Galaxy employees would be transferred to Champion. Board members approved the transfer.

Dawna Peck, Eads Town Clerk, stated that measurements had been taken at the site of a garage being constructed by Bill Crawford. The board had previously approved a building permit, with stipulations that the new structure not be built any closer to the property line than the existing home, which has encroached on the town’s easement for decades. Brown stated that it was three feet closer to the line than the home. Board members agreed with Pearson’s statement that Crawford needed to be contacted as soon as possible before the project was too far along. While board members further discussed the situation, Michael directed Deputy Town Clerk Jan Richards to call the Crawford residence to see if anyone would be able to come down to talk to the board about the situation. Michael then expressed concern that, if someone tried to purchase the home in the future and needed financing, banks would be reluctant to make a loan because of the new encroachment. Richards reported back that Mrs. Crawford was on the phone, and said Mr. Crawford would not be home until 9:00 and should she come down. Michael felt this would be a hardship since Mrs. Crawford was likely home with her children, and suggested that Mr. Crawford call Town Hall when he arrived home to see if the board was still in session. Gary Davis, attorney for the town, said, "and tell her that we are considering whether legal action is required for unauthorized encroachment. Richards then reported back that Richards reported back that Mrs. Crawford stated that her husband could be contacted by cell phone if needed and that she was not award that there was a problem. Davis directed that a letter should be sent the following day stating that the town does not approve of the encroachment and construction needs to cease until the matter is resolved. Later in the meeting, Mr. Crawford telephoned, and the call was taken by Davis, who then made a brief report back to the board and said, "I think it is dealt with."

Peck reported that, following a recent power problem in the building, one of the computers had been damaged and had been replaced, and a replacement for the other computer was coming. She said that, prior to the electrical problem, it had been intended to solicit bids for replacing the six-year-old computers, however the situation became urgent when the damage occurred. Brown reported that Jay Haase suggested putting in a new 200 amp service to Town Hall since so much equipment has been added over the years. The board directed Brown to get bids as soon as possible.

The board approved allowing angle parking along Goff Street near the courthouse, so long as space was left for vehicles to access the fire station.