Steamboat Pilot & Today

The Hayden Town Board will consider changes in trash service that could mean more recycling services or savings to residents.

The Town Board will discuss bids for two-year contracts from two companies on Thursday. Each company offers various trash and recycling options. Depending on the option the board chooses, residents will either save money or receive more services for what they currently pay, Town Manager Russ Martin said.

"It won't cost more for trash services, but there may be an opportunity to save money," he said.

Waste Management provides trash service to the town. Residents pay $15 monthly for trash pickup and the ability to recycle at one site in Hayden. The company's new bid offers curbside recycling for the same price, Martin said.

Craig-based Old West Sanitation is competing for the contract.

Also Thursday, a hearing is scheduled to discuss a developer's request for the town to annex 20 acres of land east of the Routt County Fairgrounds for the proposed Dry Creek Park Subdivision. Developer James Woods wants to build 62 homes on the land, currently owned by Kevin and Ann Copeland.

The public is invited to comment on the annexation proposal, but until Woods comes up with ways to access the area proposed for development, there won't be much to talk about, Martin said.

"It's kind of a formality. ... There's nothing really in front of us yet," he said.

The Hayden Planning Commission reviewed sketch plans for the development Aug. 12 and asked Woods to resolve several issues, including ways to access the parcel, which is isolated from existing roads.

Woods must return with a revised sketch plan before proceeding with the development review process.

"It could be next week or a long time from now," he said.

If Woods is able to proceed, there will be at least four more meetings at which the public can comment on the proposal, Martin said.

Martin will take the first step toward his goal of expanding Hayden's commercial and industrial tax base Thursday by asking the board's permission to discuss the issue with the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

Specifically, Martin wants to expand roads and utilities to areas designated for commercial and industrial development. The EDA, which helped fund water and sewer lines to the Yampa Valley Regional Airport, has grants and low-interest loans available for such projects, he said.

The town, which is in the process of updating its comprehensive plan and planning for future growth, has established that property and sales taxes from more commercial and industrial businesses will be necessary to sustain projected residential development.

"I would like the town to consider a more aggressive approach to economic development and building that base," Martin said.

In other business, the board will consider a policy limiting charitable donations to 4 percent of predicted sales tax revenue and allow a maximum of $30,000 in donations.

The board will consider three bids to construct a trail through Dry Creek Park and an irrigated multi use athletic field. Anson Excavating, Precision Excavating and Connell Resources submitted bids.