The new Dolores Town Board started off with a full plate of topics during its regular meeting Monday.
U.S. Forest Service trail specialist Chris Bouton gave an update on the 5.5-mile Overlook Trail, which will connect Dolores with the House Creek campground and Boggy Trail system.
“We’re making progress and expect to be done by fall,” he said.
This spring, a crew from the Southwest Conservation Corps has been constructing the non-motorized trail across canyons. A forest service contractor is busy clearing a 3-mile corridor.
The Conservation Corps will return in September to finish the connections on the town side and to House Creek. There will be a volunteer day around that time as well. Interpretive signs on the area’s history will be installed on both ends of the trail.
In 2014, the town and Conservation Corps completed a ¾-mile section that begins near the graveyard and switchbacks to the mesa top, where it will be directed away from the cliffs to avoid nesting golden eagles.
He added that the Lower Stoner Trail will be improved in July.
County economic and technology officials gave an update on the plan to improve Internet service in the region.
A high-speed connection increases a home’s value and provides economic opportunity, said Chelsea Jones, of the Montezuma Community Economic Development Association.
County IT director Jim McClain said the goal is to build a fiber-optic based wireless system that delivers high-speed Internet service to all county and municipal residents.
Infrastructure costs were estimated between $27 million and $29 million, but a large portion could be funded by grants. Another option is to ask voters to pass a county-wide sales tax to help fund upgrading Internet technology.
Dolores and Montezuma County plan to ask voters in November to opt out of SB152, a law that limits government involvement in communications technology. Mancos has already opted out.
Dolores resident Jeff Pope asked the board to install stop signs on Hillside Ave. at Seventh and Ninth streets to slow down traffic.
“There are 15 children under age 8 in the neighborhood,” he said.
Board members Val Truelsen and Trevor Ince liked the idea. James Baird, who lives on Hillside, did not think it was warranted because of limited traffic, no accidents, and a 15 mph speed limit. The board will consider the request.
Dolores board member Robert Dobry asked that meeting agendas be posted on the town website to better inform the public and encourage more participation.
According to the Colorado Open Meetings law, posted meeting notices “must include specific agendas if at all possible.”
The board approved a liquor license for the Montezuma Mexican Restaurant, expected to open soon at the location of the closed Hollywood Bar on Colorado Highway 145.
“It will be a family restaurant for locals and tourists,” said owner Juan Jimenez.
Another Mexican restaurant, Chavolito’s, will take over the old Naked Moose restaurant location. The board approved transferring the liquor license to Chavolito’s.
Sheriff Steve Nowlin reported a marijuana bust in Dolores. Police responding to a disturbance in a east-end neighborhood discovered more than a pound of marijuana. A 19-year-old was charged for underage possession.
The board approved Cortez Electric to construct a new well pump house for town. An agreement was also signed to have Veris Environmental complete the sludge removal project at the sewer plant.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
