GRANBY, Colo. — At 8 p.m., after business items were settled, Trustee Seth Stern moved to go into executive session regarding the resignation of former Community Development Director Carin Aichele. The motion failed. Trustees attempted to reach Aichele by phone, but she did not answer.

Stern said the transition from contractor to town employee created a toxic work environment and that Aichele told him the atmosphere stemmed from Town Manager Ted Cherry’s management style. Stern also referred to Lindsey Morrow, the town’s realtor for Nuche Village. Stern said that Mrs. Morrow resigned because she felt uncomfortable interacting with the town manager, a claim Mayor Josh Hardy said was not true. Hardy said Morrow told him she was uncomfortable with Stern contacting her and seeking her involvement. 

Stern said Cherry “no longer has the entire faith of the board at this time.” Other trustees disputed Stern’s description, saying it was “jumping the gun” to characterize an investigation centered on one individual when information had not yet been provided to trustees. Stern said Aichele’s expertise had been ignored from the start of her tenure and said the criticism was not a personal attack on Cherry.

Trustee Maria Quesada said Stern’s move was preemptive. Trustee Kathy Shaw said Cherry has been the best town manager during her time on the board; she has worked with five. Trustee Bill Mahoney said a toxic workplace would typically involve more than one person making a complaint. The session ended with Stern saying he still does not have the board’s support.

Workshop

The 5:30 p.m. workshop focused on the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code. Chief Brad White emphasized ignition-resistant construction materials and vegetation management. He said the code could affect construction costs. He said Grand County will likely see minimal changes because of existing energy codes. Chief White reviewed the state risk map with trustees, identified high-risk areas and detailed ongoing fuels-reduction projects.

Public Comment

Resident Tammy Cowgill raised concerns about the town’s water use and sprinkler schedule. Cowgill said she observed park sprinklers running repeatedly Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and that the parks are reportedly being watered daily. She called the daytime watering during a severe Colorado drought irresponsible and said it sends the wrong message to residents. Cowgill urged the town to stop  watering during the day,allow parks to turn brown to set an example for conservation.

Daniela Gosselova used her public-comment time to express solidarity with Cowgill.

After the meeting, Mayor Josh Hardy said he understands Cowgill’s concerns but does not believe further limiting sprinkler use is the answer. He said he is willing to find a middle ground on water use during drought and is open to further discussion.

Other Business Items Approved

• The board unanimously approved naming the new North Service Area water treatment plant the Scott Holly Building and transferring the old sign to Tina Holly.
• The board heard Daniela Grosselva’s proposal for a forest management plan that would involve planting trees and addressing fire mitigation through nature-based methods. The board voted to table the proposal until she develops it further.
• Ordinance 1040 amends Charter Section 5.05 and adds Chapter 5.06 to regulate peddlers, mobile vendors, solicitors and canvassers. The ordinance passed unanimously. The board agreed to revisit the ordinance if implementation problems arise.
• Sgt. Andrew Sidner, interim chief of police, requested that the town purchase two Chevy Tahoe police vehicles and offered to trade in an older vehicle. The cost for the two vehicles, including insulation of the L.A.W.S. (Lighting Accessory Warning System), after the trade-in, was $149,000. Two motions failed, but a third, modified motion passed. The approved motion authorized the purchase of one vehicle with the L.A.W.S. package for up to $85,000 and declined the trade-in; it passed with three trustees voting against it.
• The board unanimously passed a special event liquor permit for the Art in the Park event on September 6.
• Trustees approved two motions related to the recent termination of the Nuche Village contract. They approved Town Manager Ted Cherry performing realtor services for the town; Cherry said he had secured a contract. The board also approved a marketing budget of up to $20,000. Each measure passed with two trustees voting no.

Editor’s Note: The online version was updated to correct a typo.