Ambulance District, Public Safety Mill Levy To Be Included on Next Ballot

A much debated topic - the exclusion of the Town of Whitehall from the Jefferson Valley Rural Ambulance District (JVRAD) - will have a chance to be voted upon on the next ballot, according to Town Councilor’s decision at Monday’s June Town Council meeting.

The topic was brought before the Council again last month by Councilor Katy James. JVRAD had informed the Town that ambulance fees would increase to $100 per service call for all residents outside the district. James submitted a letter of support to enter into the district via one of three options: putting the item on the next available ballot, gathering signatures of support from Whitehall residents, or the Council doing a resolution to join the district.

Councilor Shawn Hoagland said he “didn’t feel right forcing” the town into the district via a resolution. Councilor Bill Lanes agreed that the topic has been a “hot issue and shouldn’t be decided by us only.”

Also agreed to be added to the next ballot was the Public Safety mill levy, which was voted down last year.

The levy, which would help fund the Whitehall Fire Department, as well as the police contract, has also been a hot topic since the Town had to begin negotiations on the police contract earlier this year, finding a deficit in funding due the mill levy not passing.

“We have not planned for a thing on a capital side since God knows when,” Councilor Roy McBride said, adding support of the levy. McBride and others also noted that the mill levy’s importance was not properly detailed to the Whitehall residents when it came time to vote. Noting that the mill levy came in the midst of a pandemic when money was tight, the Council admitted they dropped the ball on providing the public information to make an informed decision, and vowed not to do that again with this mill levy, or the JVRAD ballot issue.

Town Attorney Ed Guza noted that negotiations with the Jefferson County Sheriff Department had ended, with the final contract landing at $120,000 per year. The contract will include enforcing specific public safety ordinances (i.e. vicious animals) but not nuisance ordinances; however the department will deliver citations.

The contract will have 24-hour coverage with two officers within 5 miles of Whitehall. However, Guza stressed that this does not mean an officer will be in town at all times, as transporting to Boulder, etc. is included in this contract.

The Council voted to approve the $120,000 contract for one year in order to look at other options, while amending to include a monthly accountability report to the Council.

OTHER ITEMS:

• The Town of Whitehall has been approved for $146,877 of ARPA funds. The money has not yet been received; public meetings will be held once the money is received in order to decide its use.

• Garbage pickup will begin earlier during summer; please have cans at curb by 6 a.m.

• Watering for lawns is on an even/odd day basis dependent on address. Please remember to also water boulevard trees.

• The Whitehall Health Board is seeking five board members; contact the Town Hall for information.

• The Whitehall TV District is seeking two board members; contact the Town Hall for information.

• The Whitehall Cemetery has experienced trees/flower beds being planted at gravesites, which is not permitted. These items will be removed by the town if found; the Town also requests only one flower pot per gravesite to make maintaining the cemetery easier.

• Staley Engineering was hired for the Whitehall Master Plan project.

• The Whitehall TIF District granted $15k to Katherine Shelton for demolition of the old Rice Motel structures.

• The TIF District will provide additional monies, in the total amount of $110,000 to the town for their $1.15 million sidewalk project - a match of 13%.

• Mayor Mary Janacaro-Hensleigh announced she would be re-running for Mayor.