DEL NORTE— Mayor Pro-Tem Sam Scavo wielded the gavel and ran the Del Norte Town Board meeting on Wednesday, March 13. The board discussed trees, cats, opiates, budgets, signs and parks.
Kicking off the public comment portion of the meeting, Marlayna Martinez distributed a 25-question survey to board members to analyze the opiate-abuse crisis in the San Luis Valley. Martinez has been gathering survey input from county commissioners, town administrators and other leaders throughout the Valley. The research project is being conducted through the University of Colorado, and this is the second step in the process. The Del Norte Town Board trustees completed a similar survey for the project almost two years ago.
According to Martinez, “This helps with research so we can figure out where the gaps are.”
Sergeant Frank Archuleta gave the Del Norte Police Department report for the month of February. Working with Don McDonald, Rio Grande County Sheriff, Archuleta said they are developing intelligence-sharing practices, and they’re working with other neighboring law enforcement agencies.
“We still have little stuff,” Archuleta noted about recent crimes. “Keep your vehicles locked.”
Burglaries are going down, the sergeant added, anticipating an increase in criminal activity as summer approaches. “When that heat heats up their brains,” Archuleta said, “it kind of gets us really busy.”
Sergeant Archuleta said they have more candidates to vet before filling positions on the force. Some members of law enforcement classes graduating in May have already contacted the department to express interest.
When crews haven’t been busy with snow removal, Public Works Supervisor Kevin Larimore said they’ve been working on the town shop. Purchased 20 years ago for $125,000, the building requires maintenance. During the February town board meeting, trustees discussed the building. After consideration on March 13, the board approved spending $2,500 for a building appraisal.
Up next, Lisa Karst from Catsalive!slv said, “I have experience catching and handling cats. I’ve been working with the folks who feed them. I don’t charge because we’re grant-funded.”
A 501(c)(3), Catsalive!slv aims to reduce the number of feral and abandoned house cats in the Valley by catching colony members, transporting them to be spayed or neutered and returning them to their collection site or, if possible, finding homes for kittens and socialized cats.
According to Karst, “If you get 79 to 80 percent of a colony, you might get them under control.” Karst made arrangements with the alpine animal clinic facilities in Monte Vista and Alamosa. The goal is to gather the cats and take them to be treated. After the surgery and shots, vets clip their ear tips for return to their colony sites. Karst said evidence shows that a colony of fixed cats keeps feral cats at bay.
Abandoned cats add to colony sizes, but if they are already spayed or neutered, they do not add offspring. Karst said, “80 percent of feral cats are born feral.”
“This is kitten season,” Karst added, so the time is right for a kitty roundup.
Mayor Pro-Tem Scavo addressed tree issues in town next. The twin to the tree that blew down on Spruce Street in 2018 is buckling the sidewalk and leaning unnaturally.
The Del Norte Library Board needs a new member. The board meets every third Thursday of the month, starting at 5 p.m. at the library. Also, readers who buy from Amazon Smile can direct a $5 donation to the Del Norte library through the purchase.
The board also approved a liquor license for the Colorado Grille and Tap House, the newest eating and drinking establishment in Del Norte.
On Thursday, March  21, the Planning Commission will hold a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall to review Storage Containers on properties. See related story on Page 1A.