Berthoud Weekly Surveyor | Covering all the angles in the Garden Spot

Town board approves two IGA's, announces July 3 fireworks details

June 25, 2020 | Local News

By Dan Karpiel

The Surveyor

At the virtual meeting of the Berthoud Board of Trustees on Tuesday night, the board approved a pair of inter-governmental agreements (IGAs) with the State of the Colorado and with Larimer County.

The board voted unanimously, 7-0, to approve an IGA with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) whereby the town will contribute $250,000 for work on the I-25 expansion and upgrade project currently underway. All communities in the Northern Colorado region including Loveland, Fort Collins, Windsor and Johnstown have made or soon will contribute relative to their population and economic footprint.

Town Administrator Chris Kirk lobbied the board to support the resolution saying, “This is a good opportunity to say (to CDOT) we’re willing to be partners in the project.”

Berthoud’s 2020 adopted budget earmarked the $250,000 contribution from the Road Impact Fee account. Berthoud’s contribution to the project will fund work from approximately State Highway 66 north to State Highway 402 and will consist of adding an additional HOV toll lane in each direction to the currently in place two general purpose lanes, replace or rehabilitate existing bridges, improve multi-modal access to regional transit, improve bus service performance by adding new bus slip ramps to access a new Park-and-Ride and reconfigure the SH 66 interchange.

The board also voted unanimously to approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) related the distribution of funds provided to each municipality under the provision of the federal Coronavirus Air, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Berthoud’s initial allocation of CARES Act funding was $475,349 and must be distributed in direct response to costs incurred as a result of the public health emergency.

Trustee May Soricelli suggested the board consider supporting local non-profits as well as for-profit businesses saying, “I would suggest we continue to be generous. I know a lot of non-profits have been hit hard and I would like the town to look into helping non-profits as we helped businesses.” Soricelli also suggested the town look into spending a small amount of funds from this program to provide technology and other materials for town personnel to work remotely should the COVID-19 pandemic require another series of lockdowns.

Berthoud announces details for July 3 fireworks display

Berthoud is planning a larger and longer firework display this summer. On July 3 at approximately 9:15 p.m. the display, which will last approximately 20 minutes and be held at Waggener Farm Park. The fireworks will be presented at a higher altitude than last year’s which were launched from the Parks and Recreation property west of Berthoud High School.

“Everyone needs a reason to celebrate right now, so the town is looking forward to offering this cherished tradition. And with the fireworks shooting much higher than last year, it should be easy for everyone to find a perfect spot to enjoy this great event while staying safe,” said Town Administrator Chris Kirk in a press release. “We are encouraging our residents to view from their yards or from a location that allows for easy social distancing.”

There will be no designated viewing or parking areas for this year’s display and a “safe zone” from Bunyan Avenue to the north, Mountain Avenue to the south, Berthoud Parkway to the west and the park border to the east which includes the middle school football field will surround the launch area. Residents were be prohibited from entering the “safe zone.”

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