The Walden Board of Trustees reviewed a draft five-year water lease agreement and considered electric vehicle charging infrastructure needs at their February 23 meeting, with Trustee Allie Shoemaker presiding in the absence of Mayor Overa Breckling and Mayor Pro Tem Crowder. The board approved $4,636.97 in current bills and minutes from the February 9 meeting. Trustees identified several clarifications needed in the water lease draft, including inconsistent term references and uncertainty about which party pays the $60 annual reservoir assessment fee. Special Projects Coordinator Jim Dustin will transition to his originally planned role as grant writer, requiring reassignment of several committee positions including Club 20, Northwest Transportation, and the reservoir board. The board also reviewed an email inquiry about installing commercial EV charging at a community currently 60 miles from the nearest charging station, where residents have allowed emergency charging at private homes.
Water Lease Clarifications
Trustees requested attorney revisions to the draft water lease before final approval. The board identified inconsistent term references, with one section mentioning “blank years” while another references five years.
Board members questioned whether the town or lessee would pay the $60 annual reservoir assessment fee, wanting this explicitly stated. The board discussed potential assessment changes during the lease term that could affect profit margins.
EV Charging Discussion
The board considered an email inquiring about installing commercial EV charging at the intersection of highways 14 and 125. Electric vehicle drivers arriving in Walden without charging options currently contact Mountain Parks Electric or the sheriff’s office seeking residential chargers they can pay to use.
North Park Inn & Suites applied for an EV charging grant two to three years ago with town support, but the application was not approved due to financial viability concerns. Trustees indicated they would not oppose providing a letter of support depending on the specific request, while noting this should be a private industry matter.
Committee Reassignments
Dustin’s transition to grant writer requires reassignment of several committee positions. Trustee Shoemaker agreed to take over water-related committee assignments, including the reservoir board which meets approximately once annually.
Town Clerk Sherry Cure will compile a complete list of committees requiring replacements for the next meeting agenda. Trustees also discussed attendance at the county commissioners’ February 24 annual CDOT meeting, clarifying that the town’s sidewalk project was not on the commissioners’ agenda for that meeting.
Public Comment
During public comment, a resident thanked the board for engraving the poet laureate resolution in stone and announced plans for a July 4 Declaration of Independence reading combined with volunteer recruitment for community organizations. The resident also announced a March library event for Women’s History Month marking the 10-year anniversary of the first Wildflower Theater production.
The board’s next regular meetings are scheduled for March 9 and March 23 at 5:30 PM.
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