A Voice If Not A Vote For Second Homeowners

July 17th, 2007 at 01:00pm Jessica Andrews 17

The Snowmass Village Town Council, which holds an advisory board for second homeowners twice every year, is hosting its third session ever today and Wednesday July 18th at the Anderson Ranch and Anderson Ranch’s Schermer Meeting Hall.

Today’s workshop, open to the public, lasted from 9-12 PM, and served as an introduction of the board members. The meeting included a small gathering of board members and a couple of people from Snowmass. Everyone had a chance to speak out about what they would like to see in the future for Snowmass.

Chairman of the new board Colleen Doyle outlined the goals for the homeowners who didn’t claim primary residence in Snowmass. Some of the goals included taking a more prominent role in city council decision-making, along with putting together some outreach programs and conducting surveys around the village.

“We are trying to get really find out what people in the town consider to be issues and have everyone take a look at what is working and what can be improved upon,” said Doyle.

Doyle also introduced Snowmass Town Manager Russell Forrest, who gave the small gathering a download on the latest city issues and outlined what the Town Council was trying to focus on. The biggest dilemmas expressed were transportation issues and delays caused by construction and construction trucks. Some more specific concerns included approving the final stages of the base village and Snowmass mall construction.

“The main thing we are trying to accomplish is to get to know all of the new board members,” said active Snowmass board member John Barrett. “We also try to focus on improving the communication between Snowmass 2nd homeowners and the Council.”

Wednesdays meeting will be more formal with a fixed agenda, according to Barrett. He indicated that the board will try to get as much accomplished as possible but will have to play it by ear.

One of the newest members of the board, Bob Sirkus, joined the board last winter.

“I was just speaking to a second homeowner who expressed his concern about the Base Village construction,” said Sirkus. “Many [I have spoken with] worry if the construction on Base Village, and the Snowmass mall will be environmentally friendly–I will try to kick that thought around again tomorrow.”

“Even though the second homeowners advisory board is only meeting for its third time, we are very pleased with the response we have been given by the city council,” Doyle said. “The council realized that while [ 2nd homeowners] don’t have a vote they should still have a voice.”

Entry Filed under: Snowmass Base Village, Snowmass Politics, Snowmass Entertainment, Post Time News, Base Village, Environment