Members of the Bayfield Town Board voted unanimously to endorse – or encourage voters to vote against – various state and local ballot issues. Mayor Matt Salka said he believes it is the board’s job to let citizens know their stances on state and local issues. The trustees voted on the endorsements during their Oct. 2 meeting.

The board recommends a NO vote on Colorado Amendment 74.

“Resolution 406 is a resolution opposing Amendment 74, which is an attempt to amend the Colorado Constitution to limit state and local government services at a high cost to taxpayers,” said Town Manager Chris La May. “This is referred to as the Takings Amendment.”

This proposition is commonly known as “Fix Our Damn Roads.” Trustees are concerned this would cut other portions of the state budget, and there is no “share-back” with counties and towns. The board voted to oppose Proposition 109.

Proposition 112 would require a 2,500-foot setback for oil and gas drilling from any structure. Town trustees believe this will be detrimental to the local and state economy. They oppose Proposition 112.

The board voted 6-0 to endorse the mill levy increase for Pine River Library. Ashleigh Tarkington, a trustee on the library board, recused herself.

The board passed a resolution supporting measure 7A, which seeks voter approval to increase or decrease the annual mill levy for Upper Pine River Fire Protection District to account for fluctuations in the residential assessment rate from the Gallagher Amendment.

The board supports the two measures put on the November ballot to publish the text of legal notices on the town website. “This will allow staff to publish our approved ordinances by title only and to publish our monthly bills on the town website, substantially reducing the costs of publication,” La May said.

The board did not consider any resolutions on Bayfield ballot questions 2B and 2C, which would allow retail sales of marijuana in town limits.