Briefs Crested Butte

Supino leaving in flurry of chicken feathers and gas…
The council will look at two directives from departing town building department administrator Phillip Supino. Supino gathered information for a town livestock ordinance the council will consider at its next meeting in June. Supino is recommending the council allow chicken hens, rabbits and potbellied pigs in town. Forget roosters, cows, sheep and ducks. The council liked his draft recommendations and will look at an ordinance in June regulating the keeping of livestock within town.

Supino will also leave the council with a proposed ordinance regulating idling vehicles in Crested Butte.
“It’s a big part of sustainability,” said mayor Leah Williams.
“I’m not interested in regulating idling,” said councilperson John Wirsing.
“If it doesn’t include winter, then maybe,” said councilperson Roland Mason.
“In the past it comes out with so many exemptions given our conditions, why bother,” commented councilperson Jim Schmidt.
The council will look at the information gathered by Supino over the issue and decide whether to pursue it any further. Supino is leaving to attend to academic matters in Denver.
Sales tax up slightly… Real estate tax wayyyyyy down
Town finance director Lois Rozman said the town sales tax is creeping up in 2011 compared to 2010. For March, the revenue went up about 2 percent, which brings it up 3.5 percent year-to-date. But the real estate transfer tax is taking a beating. It is down 79 percent compared to last year at the same time. “That will have a significant impact on the general capital fund,” Rozman said.

Burt asks council to ask for drilling moratorium
Valley resident Burt Phillips asked the council to consider writing a letter to the Gunnison County Commissioners asking for a moratorium on oil and gas drilling in the county. “They will be considering the issue at the June 14 meeting,” he explained, “and since the Planning Commission passed on their recommendation, there has been scientific evidence that fracking can contaminate the water supply. I hope the council will ask for a moratorium on fracking in the county until the gas companies can prove they will contain the methane that is released. This can decimate the land.”
Phillips urged all citizens to comment to their commissioners at the June 14 meeting. “[Fracking] will be bad if it comes,” he said.
The council didn’t take any action but will review the information provided by Phillips.

Setting the stage for Alpenglow
The council fawned over the upcoming Alpenglow summer series. The Monday evening live music performances will begin June 27 and run through August 22. “It is the most we’ve ever done,” said Crested Butte Center for the Arts executive director Jennie Jenny Birnie. “We will have the same plan as last year in terms of security, the bar and recycling.”
In other words, it is not legal to bring your own alcohol to the event and the law will be gently enforced.
The August 8 Alpenglow will be held in Crested Butte South and will feature local bands.
“I love this event as do five to 800 people every Monday,” said Schmidt.
“It is one of the best things we have in town,” commented councilperson John Wirsing.
“It is wonderful,” added mayor Leah Williams.
Birnie said it was the 19th year for the summer program.

Quickies
Town manager Susan Parker is gathering cost, timing and ramification information for the idea of the town putting recycling bins on Elk Avenue this summer.
The council approved spending $30,000 to have Denver attorney Barbara Greene help update the town’s watershed ordinance. She participated in the changes made last time about four years ago.
Both the local Youth Council and the Office for Resource Efficiency gave the council updates on their happenings. Both appear in good shape at the moment.
The town will help local fourth graders plant seedling trees at the school in honor of Arbor Day.