The Dolores Town Board appointed members to a newly formed advisory committee to help assess park issues, including the fate of the recently closed playground at Joe Rowell Park.
The three town residents appointed to the board were Mike Riley, Nikki Gillespie and Kalin Grigg. Town board member Tracy Murphy also volunteered. A town staffer will also join the group, and a student from Dolores Schools will be recruited.
At a previous meeting, the board agreed to have members from outside town limits, but within the Dolores area code, on the advisory board, but decided against it Monday.
A woman disagreed, saying it “unfairly excluded” people who use the playground but live outside town. It was noted that the Dolores student representative did not have to be from town.
The board passed a resolution for the temporary committee, but also passed a motion to develop a proposed ordinance that would create a more formalized parks committee. Resolutions can be passed in one meeting, but ordinances require two board meeting reviews and a public hearing before they are voted on.
The more formal committee will have bylaws, set meeting dates, and be subject to Colorado Open Meeting and Open Records laws, said town attorney Mike Green.
The town board voted Sept. 11 to close the playground, citing safety issues. They and the community are trying to decide whether to repair it or tear it down and replace it.
The town hired Leathers and Associates, the original playground builders, to conduct an inspection and assessment of repairs. Their half-day inspection occurred Oct. 19, but the final report has not yet been submitted to the town.
