Last week a ferret visited the Berthoud Community Library’s storytime. Children listened to stories about ferrets, learned about their weasel origins, and then met Elend, a live ferret. Nearly two dozen people were captivated by the furry visitor for almost an hour.

The Town of Berthoud would like to remind its citizens that they need to remove snow from the sidewalks within 24 hours from the time the snow stops.

The following town ordinance applies:

15.12 of the ordinances of the Town of Berthoud:

Removal of Snow and Ice.

It shall be unlawful for any owner or occupant of any lot, block or parcel of ground within the Town, or for any agent in charge of such property, to allow any snow or ice to accumulate or remain upon any sidewalk alongside such property longer than twenty-four hours from the time of the last accretion of such snow or ice.

SPECIAL MEETING

DECEMBER 7, 2010

BOARD ROOM

7:00 P.M.

1.   Mainstreet Update                                                 Dir. Eric Boyd                                     30 minutes

2.   Historical Society Presentation/Re: Museum           Administrator Hart/Mark French             15 minutes

3.   Draft 2011 budget                                               Administrator Hart                                45 minutes

SPECIAL MEETING

NOVEMBER 30, 2010

BOARD ROOM

6:00 P.M.

1.            Consent agenda:

a.            Minutes 11-9-10

b.            November bills allowed

c.            Sept. financial statement

2.            Public hearing-Ludlow annexation                            Administrator Hart                        60 minutes

rezone, conveyance plat, site

specific development plan

3.            Draft 2011 Budget                                                 Administrator Hart/                        90 minutes

Town Clerk Cowdin

4.            Set public hearing – ordinances                              Town Clerk Cowdin                        10 minutes

& resolutions re: 2011 budget

and municipal  fee

BERTHOUD BOARD OF TRUSTEES

REGULAR MEETING

November 23, 2010

BOARD ROOM

7:00 P.M.

NO MEETING

The Berthoud Area Transportation (BATS) committee used to be a vibrant functioning organization. One has to wonder what has happened since the Town of Berthoud has assumed responsibility for the local transportation service. A look at the Town of Berthoud Web site shows two vacant positions and two positions that ended on August 31 and today, Judy Lehn turned in her letter of resignation. This leaves all five authorized positions vacant according to the Town of Berthoud website.

The committee is supposed to serve in an advisory capacity, providing information to the Board of Trustees regarding transit issues. The resignation of Mrs. Lehn leaves Eric Boyd, the director, with no committee members. While all the boards and commissions for the town seem to have difficulty attracting volunteers, the Transportation Department certainly holds the record for the worst record in retaining members. Perhaps the Town Administrator should look into why nobody wants to serve on this committee.

Mrs. Lehn has made it quite plain that she does not want to work with Boyd and Bauer. The text of her letter follows.

I herewith tender my resignation from the Berthoud Advisory Transportation Committee effective immediately.

It is most unfortunate that the Staff Representative, Eric Boyd, and the Board Liaison. Trustee John Bauer of this committee were foremost in bringing false charges against  a member of the Berthoud Community who is known widely for her volunteer work and her commitment to good causes, such as Christmas in Berthoud, Berthoud schools and other non-profits as well as Art in the Garden.

I can only imagine what it is like for a young mother of two to open her door to the Berthoud Police and find that she has been made the target of unfounded allegations of an impending investigation against her integrity and moral turpitude.

When a volunteer can be treated this way without even a telephone call to discuss the matter, I must assume that it is not in my best interest to participate in activities where so little communication takes place prior to such severe and irreversible actions.

Judy Lehn

In the case Lehn mentions, a volunteer was the target of a criminal complaint filed by the Berthoud Main Street Board; Eric Boyd, Chair and John Bauer, member. Mrs. Lehn is understandably appalled by this treatment of someone who has donated her services to Main Street and many other local non-profits. The District Attorney’s office dismissed the case as having no proof. The filing of unfounded accusations is often considered a form of harassment and one must consider that this might have been the intent in this case. Is it any wonder that citizens are reluctant to volunteer for advisory committees when the atmosphere in Berthoud is so tainted. Bauer is no stranger to filling complaints with the local police. This was not the first time he has done so and it probably won’t be the last.

Berthoud: November 9, 2010

The Berthoud Trustees moved through their agenda quickly on Tuesday night, finishing the session in slightly over 45 minutes.

Laurel Downer and Lexi DiPentino

Speaking in the Citizen Participation time, Lexi DiPentino and Laurel Downer told the board about their new group, Berthoud Military Family Support. DiPentio, Downer and Terri Rivera started the group for mutual support for families with sons and daughters in the military. They explained that they wanted to send CARE packages to our local soldiers serving overseas. They have placed donation boxes at several locations around town and asked if they could place one at town hall and are asking for local support.

Mayor Patterson thanked the women for their efforts.

In the reports from trustees, Trustee Shepard reported on the proposed amendment to the Growth Management Area (GMA). The proposal would expand the GMA to the North and South. Shepard said, even though it was not required, letters have been sent to all adjacent property owners. Meeting on the subject are scheduled for November 18 at 7 p.m. at the Berthoud Area Community Center and December 9 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall. (See attached map for the expanded GMA, shown in green).

Trustee Hindman reported that the Larimer County Parks and Open Space Board meeting this week will be talking about trails and representatives of all the municipalities have been invited to participate.

The trustees had discussion as to whether the board should go in to executive session to discuss a personnel matter pertaining to the town attorney. There was disagreement on this matter, with Trustee Hindman wanting an open discussion and Trustee Skiles opting for a closed session. A compromise was reached with the board asking Administrator Hart to look into the matter and  report back to the board.

The Board then moved to approve the lease of the Museum Buildings to the Berthoud Historical Society and voted to extend the moratorium on medical marijuana production and sale. Planner Katers told the board that he nearly had a marijuana ordinance ready for them, but that the recent elections in neighboring cities to ban medical marijuana necessitates some changes to his proposals.

With little discussion, the board approved four ordinances for the Ludlow annexation, rezoning, development plans, conveyance plat and site-specific development plan.

Prior to adjourning, Administrator Hart briefed the board on the meeting on water. He asked if the members would like to start early as he estimated it would take four hours to discuss the information in the packets. This discussion is about supply and quality, not price of water. Among the options listed are various degrees of Little Thompson Water District supply.