Briefs Crested Butte

by Mark Reaman

Upgrading the town’s wastewater treatment

The council gave public works director Rodney Due the okay on Monday, November 30 to pursue a Department of Local Affairs grant that would help pay for the design of an upgraded wastewater treatment plant. The design is expected to cost $250,000. The grant request is for $100,000.

Copley Lake open space purchase

Last month, the Crested Butte council approved a $25,000 donation to help the Crested Butte Land Trust purchase a 15-acre parcel on Copley Lake. CBLT executive director Ann Johnston also apologized to the council for the fact that somehow their invitation to an award ceremony honoring partners of the Snodgrass preservation got lost. The town had contributed $700,000 toward that project.

Helping replace some old water heaters

The town is looking to work with the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority and the Gunnison Housing Foundation to help with energy upgrades to eight deed-restricted units in block 77—the self-help-build duplexes. Undersized water heaters could be replaced. Total project cost would be about $8,000 and the town would contribute $2,000.

Town water attorney says hi

The new attorney dealing with water issues for the town came to the council to introduce himself. Scott Miller of Aspen gave the council a brief overview of his qualifications and love of Crested Butte. He will prepare a report for the council about the town water rights situation.

Other stuff

—The town staff plans to keep a keener eye on leases it has with local organizations. Many of the leases vary in price and conditions and many are given extremely low rents. The staff will begin reviewing the current lease situations and report back to the council.

—The council wants staff to look at how to prohibit two-story basements in town. Apparently other communities are dealing with the phenomenon and council wants to ensure that doesn’t happen here.