LOCAL

Brighton McDonald’s hosts charity event Dec. 4

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A Northern Metro McDonald’s franchisee knows that pounds of french fries can add up. Now, they’re adding them up to help kids and families in medical need.

Brighton McDonald’s owner Brian Boselli hosted a Ronald McDonald House charity event on Dec. 4.

“Owner-operators, including myself from the Brighton stores, have donated more than $300,000 to the McDonald’s House this year- $243k was the total donated annually from a penny per pound of fries, and $70k is the donations from happy meals sold for 2022,” Boselli said.

Boselli opened his latest McDonald’s franchise Oct. 20 at 4833 E. Bridge St.

The Ronald McDonald House provides temporary housing for families at no cost that travels to Denver near the hospital where their children are receiving treatment.

“Between the two Denver Ronald McDonald houses they are able to serve 118 families each night, “ Boselli said.

Boselli’s newest franchise has been open for fi ve weeks. The store never hosted a grand opening, so instead they are hosting a fundraiser for the McDonald’s House and will have grand opening events at the restaurant.

“Since we have opened, it’s been a great turnout. The community has been fantastic and we really want to do something to give back to the house. So we thought we’d incorporate the grand opening with it,” he said.

For every donation of an item on the Ronald McDonald Charity wish list, guests will receive a free coffee and enter to win a $100 gift card or Mcdonald’s for a year. The event includes face painting, raffl e prizes, games, and food give away.

“There lot of ways for people to give at McDonald’s. The McDonald’s franchisee proceeds from every happy meal sold. We give a penny for every pound of french fries sold, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s amazing how many french fries we sell,” Boselli said.

There is also a Ronald McDonald House in Colorado Springs. Ronald McDonald House Charity also hosted its annual “Light the House Radiothon” on Dec. 1 on air with KOSI 101.1.

“The Ronald McDonald House organization is near and dear to my heart and I am thankful for all the support we as a community can give them,” Boselli said.

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www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC Brighton McDonalds Owner Brian Boselli, right, with his father and fellow franchisee Richard Boselli hosted a

fundraiser Dec. 4. FILE PHOTO

FROM

BY BELEN WARD BWARD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

With the recent cooler weather, the city of Fort Lupton has seen an increase in thefts of and from “puffing vehicles” and other unlocked motor vehicle thefts, as well as vehicle trespassing problems and other property crimes.

“These vehicle thefts can lead to more serious crimes and we would like to work with our community to deter these criminal acts from hitting home,” said Fort Lupton Police Chief John Fryar. “It should be noted, the only vehicles stolen recently have been either running or unlocked — with or without the keys inside.”

Fryar said a puffing vehicle is one left running unattended, unsecured, with keys in the ignition as drivers try to warm up their vehicles. This can occur at any time of the year but is more common during the colder months

A series of thefts from unlocked vehicles have been reported. There have been thefts reported with locked vehicles as well, according to the Fort Lupton police.

“We encourage our citizens to lock your vehicles when you leave them unattended and take valuable belongings inside,” Chief Fryar said.

According to the Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-1206, leaving an unattended vehicle running is a citable offense. If caught puffing, it will cost you a ticket. However, most car insurance policies will still cover the puffing car if it’s stolen.

“If the vehicle is stolen due to puffing and you have comprehensive and collision coverage-its covered. If you don’t- it’s not covered. Puffing, you have to be careful, “ said Paul Fazzini, Fort Lupton’s Farmers Insurance Agent.

If the number of vehicles stolen due to puffing continues to rise, before long it could increase insurance premiums, he said.

Fort Lupton council adopts 2023 budget

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Fort Lupton City Council approved the 2023 budget during a Nov. 29 regular meeting at City Hall.

The budget contains $72 million in revenue coming from several funds, including the general fund ($16 million), the wastewater fund ($28 million) and the street sales tax fund ($1.2 million). That represents an increase of $182,000 over 2022 fiscal year projections.

It also earmarked more than $81 million in appropriations and revenue transfers, including $26 million in the wastewater fund and $22 million in the general fund. That figures out to an $11 million increase over this year, mainly because of relocating the new library and required wastewater plant upgrades.

Sales tax revenue is expected to be 20 percent higher this year than 2020, according to an October letter from Perino to the council. But 2023’s sales tax is expected to drop 12 percent, and reserves are expected to decline 3 percent, or almost $520,000, from the 2021 amended budget.

“The volatility is due to the oil and gas industry’s influence on the city’s economy,” Perino’s letter to the council said. “We continue to build our reserves in 2022 where possible and prudent. However, we also need to address our needs at the same time.”

Cost of living increases

In new spending, the city council approved a cost-of-living adjustment of $1 per hour for all fulltime employees. It takes effect Jan. 1. City staff also receive an extra 0.5 of 1 percent increase in retirement contributions. It means a 10.7 percent contribution for police officers and between 4 and 4.5 percent for everyone else.

Health insurance costs increased by almost 10 percent in the 2023 budget. Finance Director Leann Perino said the increase varies, based on the plan and which dependents get coverage.

There are new employees on the payroll, including a deputy court clerk, a building maintenance worker, two police officers, a school resource officer and a police records technician.

Through October, the city issued almost 250 building permits. Nine more went for commercial buildings. Projections expect the city to issue 75 residential building permits in 2023.

One of the targeted areas in the 2023 budget is infrastructure improvements, such as water and sewer access to new developments.

Fort Lupton council: Money outgoing, incoming dot council agenda

BY STEVE SMITH SSMITH@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Fort Lupton City Council approved a loan of no more than $25 million from the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority for tap fees, part of planned wastewater treatment plant upgrades.

The unanimous vote came during a regular meeting on Nov. 29. There was no discussion.

Councilors also declared an emergency because of limited access to low- or no-interest loans for the project.

The interest rate is 2.75 percent. The money to pay off the loan comes from revenues from the city’s wastewater utility fund.

Potential liquor tax

Fifty dollars. That’s the proposed amount of a new tax/fee for Fort Lupton liquor stores, brew pubs, lodging and entertainment venues and any places that serve beer and wine.

It’s the first such increase in almost 12 years.

“It’s a fee for those doing business with liquor sales,” City Clerk Mari Pena told Fort Lupton City Council during a Nov. 29 town hall. “Other municipalities range up to $1,000. We’re still on the lower end. I think with $50, we’d be OK for next year.”

She promised a review later in 2023.

Council made no decision because it was in a town-hall meeting format.

No marijuana grow operations

Fort Lupton voters narrowly turned down a ballot issue for a tax on retail marijuana in November. The margin was 37 votes, according to the Weld County Clerk and Recorder’s Office website.

As such, the council wasn’t inclined to pursue potential marijuana grow operations.

“We still get revenue from what the state collects,” Mayor Zo Hubbard said. ‘It wouldn’t be much.”

“I’m not a fan of grow operations,” said Councilman Claud Hanes.

“The citizens spoke,” added Councilman David Crespin.

“The people I spoke to thought it was a tax,” Hubbard said. “We’re done with that.”

Back to square one

The fifth filing of the Coyote Creek planned unit development – across from Aims Community College — is off the table, for now.

“There are enough changes that they will have to start over,” planning director Todd Hodges told the council. “You’ll see it again.”

The original proposal called for 61 detached single-family homes and open space.

FAMILY DENTISTRY

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