LYONS – This Board of Trustees is halfway through its two-year term. The BOT recently held a workshop to assess what has been achieved in the last year and our priorities for the remaining 12 months. With so many issues that come up on a weekly basis, it’s easy to get distracted from some of the big-picture goals. Last summer, the BOT held a strategic planning retreat and set a number of priority areas. Last week’s workshop included reviewing progress over the last year on the top four goals that were prioritized:

LYONS – One of the challenges to a small town is how to tap into resources, both technical and financial, beyond our borders. I’ve had my eyes opened in the meeting I attend at the Denver Regional Council of Governments, DRCOG, for example. DRCOG is the main conduit for federal transportation monies. This comes in the form of grants, usually 80 percent with the rest as local match. Millions and millions of infrastructure dollars for roads, pedestrian walkways, bike paths and transit programs get handed out each year.

LYONS – Coming to the Lyons Board of Trustee meetings is a good way to stay current on town issues, at least until we can figure out a way to webcast our meetings so you can listen from the comfort of your home. Board of Trustee meetings are the first and third Monday of every month. As of Monday, June 21 we are changing the meeting time back to 7 p.m. (from 7:30 p.m.) to allow staff, the board and the public to adjourn by a more reasonable time.

LYONS – Main Street was hopping last Saturday as Celebrate Lyons unfolded in the downtown. It’s incredible what can be achieved when everyone pulls in the same direction. Town hall has worked hard over the past years to improve the business climate, enhance the attractiveness of Main Street and upgrade the basic infrastructure.

LYONS – U.S. Rep. Jared Polis (D) talked to residents in Lyons after having lunch with the town board trustees and some of the town staff on April 9 at the Stone Cup coffee shop on the corner of Fifth Avenue and High Street.

LYONS – The new Lyons Board of Trustees will be sworn in on April 19th. I want to first acknowledge the outgoing members.
Juli Waugh and Tina Schooler decided not to run again due to work commitments. Their contributions over the last two years are noteworthy. Juli has been instrumental in developing Lyons’ sustainability policies and programs and has been working to identify our options to improve the library.