Oak Creek Town Board hires administrator
Steamboat’s Mary Alice Page-Allen to fill new position
Steamboat Springs — The Oak Creek Town Board on Thursday unanimously approved the hiring of Mary Alice Page-Allen as town administrator after discussing the position in an executive session.
Page-Allen was the sole remaining candidate after the board narrowed the field of candidates from five to two and the other finalist removed herself from the running.
“I really am excited,” Page-Allen said after the vote, and the Town Board echoed her sentiments.
The town administrator position is replacing the position of town clerk and will include additional duties.
Page-Allen has lived in Steamboat Springs since 2001 with her husband and youngest son. Before accepting the position in Oak Creek, she was the manager of the Yampa Valley Housing Authority, having been a member of its original board of directors. She also was a Routt County planner and spent time working with land-use issues in the private sector. She said she sees the town administrator position as combining her interests in public administration and planning.
The Town Board voted to approve a total compensation package for Page-Allen of about $74,100. The base salary is set at $55,000 per year. Another $17,000 per year is designated to go into a 457(b) retirement plan. Benefits offered by the city and a cellphone stipend fill out the remainder of the compensation package. She will start Feb. 3 on a part-time basis and transition to full-time by Feb. 27.
On Thursday, the Town Board also voted, 6-0, to hold a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to discuss land-use issues. A citizen-led ballot initiative proposing changes to town’s land-use code will be up for a vote in April. A petition circulated by Oak Creek property owner Scott Wedel and Oak Creek resident Kerry Eaton has been approved.
The Oak Creek Planning Commission is invited to the meeting.
Page-Allen said she is looking forward to the land-use issues that are ahead for Oak Creek and the Town Board.
“When I hit the ground, I’ll learn more. Hopefully, I can add something to that discussion,” Page-Allen said.
Page-Allen also said she welcomes the challenge of coming in during a restructuring of her new position.
“I’m not here because I’m the last man standing. I’m here because I’m looking forward to the job.”
In other action, the Town Board voted, 6-0, to remove former Town Clerk Karen Halterman and former Public Works director Robert Redding as check signers for the town.
To reach Michael Schrantz, call 970-871-4254 or email mschrantz@SteamboatToday.com
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