Dolores has completed some larger projects the past couple of years, and town officials now say it\u2019s time to address routine maintenance, put money aside and create time for grant-writing.<\/p>\n
Between 2012 and 2014, town officials found grant funding for their portion of the Overlook Trail west of town. They built blocks of sidewalk and completed a master-trail plan.<\/p>\n
During the monthly board workshop Monday. town officials focused on plans for Dolores.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to take next year and maintain what we already have,\u201d said town manager and treasurer Lana Hancock.<\/p>\n
She said that there are several areas that need attention.<\/p>\n
On the river trail several access points to the river bank have become overgrown, and stone steps need repair.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to open up access points, get some nice simple signs pointing the way, and make our own map of fishing access points in town,\u201d Hancock said.<\/p>\n
Eventually, the sewer plant needs to remove sludge, a major project. Central Avenue will need repaving. Town officials want to set aside money for the big projects so they can meet the match requirement.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the qualifiers for grants is to show you\u2019ve done your part in preparing for the costs,\u201d Hancock said.<\/p>\n
Points of discussion<\/p>\n
The concession and bathroom building at the baseball fields in Joe Rowell Park is in disrepair. The unheated bathrooms are open only during mild weather, but even so, a late freeze broke pipes and created mold. Insurance paid the town $12,000.<\/p>\n
An estimated $20,000 in repairs on the building might be spent replacing the structure with a cinder-block bathroom like the one at the playground.<\/p>\n
Requests for proposals are planned. One idea is to replace the concession stand with a shaded structure to accommodate a food vendor; another is to add heated, year-round bathrooms.<\/p>\n
The town is considering outsourcing park maintenance and bathroom cleaning to free up staff for work on roads, sewer and water lines.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf requests for proposals come in within a certain price range, then it could make sense for us,\u201d Hancock said.<\/p>\n
Festivals and parks put pressure on bathroom and park maintenance, leaving less for infrastructure repairs and upgrades.<\/p>\n
Water and sewer rates are expected to rise to keep up with maintenance costs. The previous increase was two years ago.<\/p>\n
The board said that funding for water and sewer plants needs to be sustainable from fees that also allow for a repair budget.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is in our best interest to raise rates more often to keep up with costs and not get caught\u201d with a shortfall for repairs, Hancock said.<\/p>\n
Some towns go the other way, raising rates at once, an unpopular strategy with the public.<\/p>\n
Sludge in the main cell at the sewer plant eventually will have to be removed, at more than $100,000. A sludge-eating bacteria product has been working well, but it\u2019s a short-term fix.<\/p>\n
Applications are being accepted for a vacant town maintenance position. The town pointed out that reasonable wages and benefits can help prevent costly turnover.<\/p>\n
A healthy workforce by town staff resulted in a $20,000 rebate from the insurance company. The vacant town manager position saved $80,000. Former manager Ryan Mahoney is contracted for town business on an hourly basis.<\/p>\n
At Hancock\u2019s request, the board will put off hiring a new manager for a year.<\/p>\n
Hancock was praised for taking on the duties of town manager while doubling as full-time treasurer.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve done a wonderful job, thank you,\u201d said board member Sandy Lauzon.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve hit a groove, and we have a good staff working well together,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The town plans to spend more time researching and writing grants for town improvements. The board noted that projects such as new trails come with a lifetime of maintenance.<\/p>\n
\u201cGenerating sales tax revenue by attracting new businesses will help pay for improvements as well,\u201d said board member Santiago Lopez.<\/p>\n