The Jan. 10 Paonia Town Council meeting opened with several awards. The first was given to trustee Lucien Pevec who was recognized as a FORE-Runner Nominee for his work in bringing solar energy to town hall.

The Paonia Elementary School student council came forward and was presented with two awards. The first was for helping rake leaves at town park. The annual event is called "The Great Rake." After the kids rake up leaves during their gym class, people come by and put the leaves in the town's leaf bags. They are then available free of charge to those who want leaves for composting. Mayor Neal Schwieterman gave the certificate of appreciation on behalf of the town.

The second award for Paonia Elementary was for the outstanding academic accomplishments of the student body. There are 1,467 elementary schools in the state, and Paonia Elementary is ranked 31st. "That's the top two percent in the state," the mayor explained. "In analyzing the ranking the school came up with a 96.9 percent ranking. We applaud them." They also received for the second year in a row the Governor's Distinguished Improvement Award which is based on multi-year performance. "The kids in our elementary school are doing a fabulous job. So, we are giving them the Amazing School Award."

Next, Anthony Roeber, Paonia High School student council co-president, gave an update of happenings at the school. Students participated in a canned food drive to benefit the food bank at the Paonia American Legion. The school has new carpeting with an eagle. The girls' basketball team has only lost one game. The wrestlers won the Montrose invitational. Winter Fest will be Feb. 4. Due to sporting events, prom will be held in March.

Mayor Schwieterman said that following a Jan. 6 work session, town clerk Barbara Peterson is writing the town's comment letter to BLM about the proposed oil and gas lease sales. The letter should be available for council review on Jan. 24. The draft letter states, "The Town of Paonia is hereby registering significant concerns with the BLM in its planned leasing of parcels 6197, 6193, 6190, 6194, 6205 6206, 6207, 6215 and 6216 for oil and gas development in the North Fork valley. As such, we request that these parcels not only be removed for consideration for leasing at this time, but also forever removed from consideration in any future lease sales of the BLM."

The council approved a resolution setting the posting place for notices of town and other public meetings at town hall.

The Town of Paonia will have the April 3 municipal election be conducted by mail ballot authorized by an intergovernmental agreement with Delta County. The council approved this mail ballot to save costs and because more people vote by mail. At the last election only 38 people voted at town hall. People can still drop off their ballots at town hall from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day.

Mayor Schwieterman asked the public for patience while there is less staff due to the finance officer being on paid administrative leave. Schwieterman said the auditor had said the 2010 audit would be completed during the week of Jan. 16. As of Jan. 20, it had not been received at town hall.

Not announced at the meeting was that the Town of Paonia is accepting applications for "the anticipated position of bookkeeper." This will be a part-time position. See the "Help Wanted" ads for more information.

The mayor volunteered to continue on the Delta County Housing Task Force provided no one else on the council wanted the position. No one did. He is now the ranking member on the task force.

Applications are at town hall or at the DMEA website about the BEAT program which stands for Business Energy Assessment Program. Any business in the DMEA service area is eligible for the energy assessment.

The mayor noted that the Riverbank Neighborhood boundary adjustment is not completed because the staff has not had the time to work on it.

Travis Loberg of public works said Pall is working on repairs at the new water treatment plant. Costs are covered in the warranty.

Trustee Lucien Pevec and trustee Brian Ayers met with financial advisors who specialize in public and municipal investments. Investments allowed by Colorado statutes are returning between 1 and 1.7 percent. The longest term investment allowed is five years.

The town council held an executive session to receive legal advice. There was no public announcement or action following the half hour executive session.

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