Town Council approves liquor license for Super's

The Monday night, Nov. 4 meeting of the Haxtun Town Council opened with a number of public hearings, including several to consider liquor licensing requests for special events and a retail liquor license. The November meeting opened with roll call, Pledge of Allegiance and approval of the agenda and consent agenda.

At the start of the meeting, Andy Wernsman addressed the local Council during the public comment portion of the meeting. Wernsman, with the First National Bank of Fleming, spoke to council members about the bank's recent acquisition of Haxtun Liquors. He said the bank is currently working to find someone to run the liquor store, including obtaining a current liquor license. Once the small business is back up and running again, the bank could then sell it.

According to Wernsman, the bank's concern is if Haxtun Super's, another local business that previously applied for a fermented malt beverage and wine retail license, which public hearing was on the agenda for later in the meeting, begins selling such items, it could hurt business of the liquor store. Wernsman said it's the position of the bank's that it's in the Town's best interest to support local, small business.

The Council listened to Wernsman's concerns but did not address him during public comment.

Moving on to action items, the Council opened public hearings for special event liquor license requests from the Haxtun Volunteer Fire Department for their annual rocky mountain oyster fry and from Little Sprouts Learning Center for an annual gala fundraiser. Both of those hearings drew no public comment and the licenses were approved unanimously.

Council members also opened a public hearing for a fermented malt beverage and wine retail license request from Haxtun Super's. The application from Haxtun Super's was submitted and the public hearing was set for Nov. 4 as well as notice was posted and published as required by application requirements.

Tad Odell, owner of Haxtun Super's, addressed the Council during the public hearing. He said he understood Wernsman's concerns and the bank's position as mentioned earlier during public comment, however, he believes that competition is good for business and allows customers to shop local and keep spending in Haxtun.

Odell added that he has been asked by customers to carry beer and he is licensed to do so in other stores in Akron, Wiggins, Crook and Walden. He said beer compliments the grocery items and the license would be good for the Town of Haxtun and Haxtun Super's.

The request from Haxtun Super's was approved by the Haxtun Town Council unanimously. Council member Bob Cionek recused himself from the vote. Cionek previously owned Haxtun Liquors.

Following the local approval of the license, it will now be sent to the State for final consent. Once that is approved, Haxtun Super's can begin to sell beer and wine.

Haxtun's Zip Trip gas station made a similar request to the Haxtun Town Council, which was approved in August. The local gas station is now selling beer.

A last public hearing was held to consider the adoption of the Haxtun Code of Ordinances, which drew no public comment and was approved by the Council. The codes recently underwent a codification process and were updated for the first time in 20 years. Thirty days from approval, the codes will be available on the Town's website through a direct link.

In other business:

• The Council continued budget discussion and heard 2025 budget information from Librarian Carolyn Davis;

• Council members approved a proposal from Advance Pools to de-winterize the existing pool and install an auto fill system for a total of $7,400, which will be included in the 2025 budget;

• Approved a proposal from Element for professional engineer services for discharge permit compliance assistance regarding the existing sewer lagoons, which will be included in the 2025 budget as well;

• During council concerns, Dave Green asked Superintendent Ron Carpenter if he could come up with a solution to the concrete that is tight around the trees on Colorado Avenue. Carpenter said he is working on a solution.