Kelsey Harms takes official oath of office

Kelsey Harms took her official oath of office to serve as Haxtun's Clerk/Treasurer in a Monday evening, June 6 meeting at the Haxtun Community Center. She takes the reins of the Clerk position following the retirement of Karie Wilson, effective June 1.

Wilson announced her retirement in an early February meeting and on the same night, council members voted to appoint Harms to the Clerk/Treasurer position. Harms has served as the Deputy Clerk at the Town Hall for the past five years. At the time, Wilson said Harms has been an asset to the Town of Haxtun since day one and agreed with the Council's immediate decision to appoint Harms as Clerk.

In early May, the Town of Haxtun announced the hiring of Sherri Wagoner as Deputy Clerk. She has trained at Town Hall with Harms and Wilson for the past few weeks and with Harms' move to Clerk, Wagoner now serves in the Deputy Clerk role.

Following roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance and approval of the agenda and consent agenda, council members moved onto public comment and at that time, local business owner Alsey Chandler was present along with his partner, Kristi Emory. The two own and operate Chandler's Bar and Grill in downtown Haxtun.

Chandler was present regarding a letter he recently received from the Town of Haxtun. According to the letter, the Town received information from the Northeast Colorado Health Department that Chandler's Bar and Grill failed to renew its retail food establishment license for 2022.

As a condition of liquor license approval, given by the Town of Haxtun, businesses are required to maintain a retail food establishment license issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The letter asked Chandler to provide proof of a retail food license by June 2. If not, the letter says the matter will be referred to the Town Council who may issue an order to show cause and notice of hearing concerning whether Chandler's Bar and Grill's liquor license may be suspended or revoked for violation.

Chandler presented a letter of his own to each council member titled Lawful Notice and Demand. In his letter, he cited several court cases including Marbury vs Madison, 5 U.S. 137; Miranda vs Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 491; and Cruden vs Neale 2 NC 338, 339.

Chandler did not speak much about the matter of Chandler's Bar and Grill retail food license as he said he was not on the agenda to do so. He took his time with the Council during public comment at the start of the meeting. No action was taken regarding the matter.

The June 6 meeting also included two public hearings, one to hear comment regarding a zoning request and subdivision plat for the West Plains Properties Annexation. There was no public comment. A public hearing was held earlier this week to adopt the annexation resolution, annexation ordinance, zoning ordinance and subdivision resolution. The property in the annexation includes that just west of Dollar General along the south edge of Highway 6.

The second public hearing, which also drew no public comment, was for a special event liquor license for the Haxtun Chamber of Commerce for Old-Fashioned Saturday Night. A roll call vote was taken an the application was approved.

Later, in staff reports, Superintendent Ron Carpenter said Simon, the company hired to complete the Town's street project, gave notice that they are currently about a month behind schedule. It looks like the project will begin in late June or early July. Simon representatives are confident they can complete the project this year.

Carpenter also said Ward Electric will soon begin work on an electric rebuild project. Once wire arrives, the project will begin and includes the area of the light plant east to Highway 59 and Raymond Street to Lincoln Avenue. Carpenter said the high school will also receive new service.

In his report, Police Chief Nate Nadow said he is looking into a grant to upgrade and get four sirens. He said all four would be for emergency notification, but only two would continue the daily whistle.

The following building permits were also approved: Michael Gillotte, 534 North Logan Avenue for new HVAC; Tom Edwards, 111 North Westridge for a new post frame building; Jason Donovan, 121 Nort2h Wallace Avenue for a chain link fence; Outback Properties, 202 South Colorado Avenue for a chain link and wood fence; SNL Properties, 241 East Third Street for a storage container; Candace Pfeifer, 138 North Lava Street for a fence repair and chicken coop; Judy Berkheimer, 526 South Utah Avenue for a wood fence; Jeanett and Matt Wacker, 142 North Washington Avenue for a cement sidewalk; William St. John, 530 West Strohm Street for a re-roof; Craig McCarty, 245 North Iris Avenue for a re-roof; Sara Grauberger, 624 Prospect Circle for a shed; KrisAnna Teel, 409 North Washington Avenue for a sidewalk and home skirting; Lance Chapdelaine, 246 North Colorado Avenue for a fence; Les Nooner, 542 West Strohm Street for a woodshop and garage; Ellen Bernhard, 337 North Logan Avenue for a shed; JJJAGE, 635 South Washington Avenue for a re-roof; Rod Ham, 341 North Wayne Avenue for a re-roof; Ron Carpenter, 455 West Fletcher Street for a concrete slab; Walter Juarez, 317 East Strohm Street for sheet rock and windows.