By Sandy Barnes
Berthoud Recorder

Berthoud resident Dorian Ryan told the Board of Trustees she thought the Town should have “citizens first” as a priority on its list of goals while speaking at the Aug. 25 board meeting.

Ryan, who is co-founder of the Berthoud Town Forum, also voiced objections to rehiring economic development consultant Stephanie Salazar. Instead, the money could be spent on hiring a water or tree consultant, she said.

Interim Town Administrator Gary Suiter said he is in the process of negotiating with Salazar and defining the scope of her work with the Berthoud Economic Resource Team.

After reviewing an agreement with Salazar, Suiter said he planned to bring it to the Town Board for consideration at the Sept. 8 meeting.

Salazar worked on an interim basis with BERT for three months beginning last November.

Appointments to Commissions Approved
The Board of Trustees approved appointments to Town boards and commissions at the Aug. 25 meeting.

Barbara Mitteis, Mina Cox, Jim Birdsall and Greg Ludlow were approved for another term on the Berthoud Economic Resource Team, with terms expiring on Aug. 31, 2011.

Herb Meeker and Duane Pond were appointed to the Tree Board to serve until Aug. 31, 2012.

Breck Clay was appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission to complete a term that expires on Aug. 31, 2010.

There are other openings on Town boards, including planning and zoning commission, the utility advisory board, the historic preservation commission and the transportation committee.

Resolution on Ludlow Farms Annexation
After reopening a continued public hearing on the Ludlow Farms annexation at the Aug. 25 Town board meeting, the Board of Trustees approved a resolution establishing that the property is eligible for annexation by the Town.

During his presentation about the property, Town Planner Tim Katers said that he has been meeting with interim Town Administrator Gary Suiter and Town Attorney Bruce Fickel on terms of an agreement for the annexation of the 300-acre property along Larimer County Road 17.

Fickel explained the annexation of this property is different than others because it is going to be marketed immediately for industrial and commercial development. The developer does not want to annex the property unless the terms of the agreement are worked out, he said.

AIMS Ballot Question Approved
The Town Board has approved language for a ballot question for expansion of the Aims Community College district to include portions of Berthoud that are not presently a part of it. The ballot question, which would be included in the November general elections, establishes mill levy of 6.299 mills for Town residents on real property.

Town Attorney Bruce Fickel has been working on with the Aims attorney on the question, which will be forwarded to Larimer County officials for review. Special state legislation was enacted to permit the district expansion.

Pre-Construction Meeting on Roundabout
A pre-construction meeting on the roundabout project going in at the intersection of First Street and Colorado Highway 56 is taking place on Wednesday, Sept. 2 from 3 to 5 p.m.

During his report at the Aug. 25 Town Board meeting, Interim Town Administrator Gary Suiter said the public is invited to attend the meeting from 4 to 5 p.m.
The meeting will be held at Town Hall in the council chambers.