Tri-Lakes
Tribune
Tri-Lakes Region, Monument, Gleneagle, Black Forest and Northern El Paso County • Volume 9, Issue 47
November 21, 2012
Free
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourtrilakesnews.com
Voters warm to taxes Tri-Lakes Monument Fire accepts federal grant for new hires By Norma Engelberg
nengelberg@ourcoloradonews.com
It’s tradition that the Palmer Lake Star is lit after the annual chili supper. The Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department hosts the chili supper at town hall to raise funds for the star and through a raffle someone will be chosen to flip the switch on the star, which will remain lit through the holiday season. Courtesy photo
Star will be lit, chili will be served Festivities kick off holiday season By Lisa Collacott
lcollacott@ourcoloradonews.com Some small towns are known for their traditions and the town of Palmer Lake is one of them. Every year, a couple of days after the turkey and pumpkin pie have been eaten; the annual chili supper and star lighting takes place to usher in the Christmas season. At
the end of the chili supper one lucky resident gets the honor of then switching the historic Palmer Lake Star which can be seen for miles. The star has been a tradition in Palmer Lake since 1935 with the Palmer Lake Fire Department maintaining it since 1937. The annual chili supper raises funds for the star and has been a tradition for more than 50 years. This year’s chili supper will take place from 5-8 p.m. on Nov. 24. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. Raffle tickets can be purchased and there will be a drawing to see who will light the star. The star will be lit at 8:15 p.m.
There will be other fun activities that take place during the chili supper. Hay rides with Santa Claus are available to take people for a ride around town. The hay ride will start at Bella Panini and free hot chocolate and marshmallows will be available at the wagon stops. People will be able to warm themselves up around the barrel fires. In addition, this holiday season there will be a Christmas home decorating contest for Palmer Lake residents. The first place winner will receive $100, second place will get $50 and the third place winner gets $25. For more information about the contest contact one of the Palmer Lake restaurants.
Palmer Lake eliminates police chief position Budget cuts cited as reason
‘I appreciate the time he put in.’
By Lisa Collacott
lcollacott@ourcoloradonews.com Palmer Lake will no longer have a police chief as of Dec. 6. Budget cuts have forced the town to eliminate the position. The town has opted not to renew Police Chief Kieth Moreland’s contract. He has been police chief for three years. Budget cuts over the past year have forced positions within the police department to be eliminated. A year ago the police department had five full-time positions but all have been eliminated. “I get it. I absolutely get it. There’s absolutely no bitterness on my part,” Moreland said. He said there is not enough in the budget to pay his salary and benefits. Eliminating his position will save the town approximately $50,000. That leaves nine part-time positions with the department but Moreland said it’s possible that the officers will have to reapply after the first of the year. Bob Grado, police department trustee, said that the tough economy forced the police department to begin the year with a reduced budget. “Numerous adjustments were made throughout the fiscal year such as a reduction of full-time staff, the implementation of part-time contracted police officers and a reduced hourly wage. There was a requirement for Chief Moreland to perform
Rich Kuehster
Palmer Lake Police Chief Kieth Moreland will no longer be police chief as of Dec. 6. The town does not have money in their budget to keep the position therefore his contract will not be renewed. File photo by Lisa Collacott increased patrol hours,” Grado said. “Even with these adjustments the police department continued to operate substantially over budget and needed to be supplemented with general funds from other departments.” Grado said in order to stabilize the police department’s 2013 budget the board of trustees had to make some difficult reorganization decisions. A motion was made to allow Moreland’s contract to expire and reinvest a portion of vacancy savings into police officer wages, training and equipment. They will also reevaluate the current staff of police officer’s training, capabilities and availability, cancel current police contracts and rehire selected police officers. There are plans to close the police department front office and redirect visitors
to the town office for assistance. A police officer will most likely be appointed as an acting full-time police administrator and the department will have to perform a monthly staffing and budget audit with the town clerk. The town is also considering appointing a civilian public safety manager to oversee the police and fire departments. The board will reconvene after 90 days to discuss the best option. In addition to not having a police chief, Palmer Lake no longer has a fire chief. Mike Keough recently submitted his resignation to the board because he did not have the time to commit to the position. Keough was hired as fire chief this summer. “I appreciate the time he put in,” Rich Kuehster, fire trustee, said. Kuehster said the fire department is doing well as far as the budget goes. “So far the fire department is staying within their budget because we’re mostly a volunteer department (but) Palmer Lake’s budget has been tight these last couple of years because of lower property taxes,” Kuehster added. Moreland said despite the cuts in the police department there will be a police presence in town. “We’re still going to fill every shift and make sure there’s police coverage 24 hours a day 7 days a week,” Moreland said.
There was a big difference between the 2013 budget that would have been and the one that will be for Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District now that the mill levy increase was approved by voters on Nov. 6. For that approval the fire district board issued a hearty thanks to all those involved in supporting the increase. Battalion Chief Bryan Jack presented the Jack draft budget to the board at a Nov, 14 meeting. Governed by Resolution 12-004, a five-year district restoration plan passed by the board when it decided to seek the increase, the proposed budget restores funding almost to previous levels in some 2013 line items, especially in areas pertaining to equipment repair and maintenance and training programs. According to the resolution, at the end of the five years, when the needs of the district have been restored, the board could consider lowering the mill levy. Boardmember Jake Shirk asked that the district’s Tactical Emergency Medical Support program be reinstated. The program allows certain specially trained medical responders to support law enforcement agencies. “These tactical responders are vital to the health and safety of SWAT teams and others,” Shirk said. “They are expensive to outfit. They need ballistic helmets and vests and fire arms. They train with the same weapons police officers use so that, if necessary, they can defend themselves and their patients during an incident.” Jack said the district still has three personnel members with the training and the equipment and that reinstating the program would not be that difficult. Also, because of the mill levy increase, the district was able to accept a federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant that will pay wages, insurance and pensions for six new firefighters for the next two years. Resolution 12-004 also sets aside money to continue their employment beyond the grant period. Medical response personnel will also be hired to fill two long-term vacancies. The budget will be up for final approval at a district meeting on Dec. 5. The December meeting is always early in December because the state requires all county, municipalities, school districts, special districts and other governmental entities to approve and submit their budgets to the state Division of Local Government by Dec. 15. TLM continues on Page 5
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