The Dolores Town Board is righting the ship after recent resignations by the town attorney and town manager.
On Monday, board members voted to appoint Jon Kelly as their new attorney. Kelly has a law practice in Dolores and previously served on the Dolores school board. In his interview, he said his rate was $125 per hour, the most affordable of the three candidates.
“I support Jon because he has government experience and is local,” said town board member James Biard.
Kelly replaces Mike Green, who resigned in April. The board also appointed Jerry Whited to the Planning and Zoning Board.
Dolores is also looking to hire a new town manager after interim manager David Stahl abruptly resigned May 29. In his resignation letter, he cited Sunshine Law violations by three board members who discussed the attorney interview process in emails, outside a posted public meeting.
Hiring a town manager soon is essential, said Dolores Mayor Chad Wheelus, and will require a vote of the board. He thanked town staff for stepping up to handle duties of the town manager.
The town will seek guidance from the Colorado Municipal League and Kelly on the proper process for hiring a town manager. Board members want to know whether they have to begin a new application process, or if they can choose a candidate from the last round of interviews.
“We are seeking a dynamic, sustainable town manager,” Wheelus said.
Wheelus urged patience from the community as key positions are filled.
A local resident inquired about opening a hemp extraction business in town. He was asked to hold off on the request until the new town manager was hired and the board had a chance to get advice from its new town attorney.
Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin said the Burro Fire is not a threat to Dolores. However, homes along Colorado Highway 145 near the Bear Creek Trail and Roaring Fork road could be at risk, and those residents have been told they might need to evacuate. The fire is 6 miles east of the highway, and firefighters are reporting difficulty putting in a fire break on the fire’s western flank because of steep, heavily wooded country.
Nowlin suggested residents sign up for Nixle alerts or the Sheriff Mobile App to receive mobile phone alerts about the local wildfires and emergencies.
Also at the meeting:
Becca Samulski, of FireWise of Southwest Colorado, was granted approval to do roadside fire safety assessments of town residences and businesses. She and a Dolores High School intern will conduct 60- to 90-second assessments using 11 fire safety criteria.
“We will share the data and provide tips so people can take action and protect their homes if there is an ember shower from a nearby wildfire,” Samulski said.
Lisa Holz and Mike Riley, of the Parks and Playground Committee, reported there was good participation in the playground survey. The survey period is over, and 634 people responded, with 97 percent of respondents saying they want a new playground to be built at Joe Rowell Park. Half of those responders said the main reason they used the park was for the previous playground, which was torn down in January because of deterioration.
The parks committee will now analyze the results of the survey and report back to the Town Board. at Dolores Town Hall.
The town heard concerns from business owner Cody Folsom, owner of Dolores Outfitters, regarding the recent closure of the San Juan National Forest.
He said it is important that visitors know that McPhee Reservoir is still open for lake fishing from a boat only, and that there are other outdoor recreation opportunities including on BLM land, at Narraguinnep Reservoir, Mancos State Park, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and the nearby Uncompahgre National Forest on the other side of Lizard Head Pass.
“We need to put a positive spin on the closure so we do not lose too much of our tourism economy,” Folsom said.
