The NCA adds to holiday mood

Inspired by Niwot’s “wonderful” holiday decorations coordinated by the Niwot Business Association, members of the Niwot Community Association board decided at their Nov. 7 meeting that they wanted to contribute to the town’s holiday ambiance by adding some decorations at the west entrance to town along Niwot Road.

“The decorations in Whistle Stop Park, our trees and throughout town are just beautiful, but we know the budget is already prioritized and plans are in place at this time,” NCA area 3 representative Pat Murphy said. She suggested that the NCA fund some decorations at the west end of Niwot Road. “Maybe some wreaths or snowflakes could brighten that area.”

Murphy’s suggestion was enthusiastically endorsed by the board, and the group voted to spend up to $250 on the holiday decorations which will be coordinated by Murphy.

In other matters, NCA board members heard an update on discussions about subdivision roads from board member Dick Piland.

“The costs for fixing our roads just keep going up,” Piland told NCA members.

He said the county cost of chip sealing a mile of roadway is estimated at $40,000 a mile, with $350,000 a mile for milling and overlay and $950,000 for reconstructing a mile of roadway.

The patching that has been done along some Niwot subdivision roads was a one-time-only program and will not continue, Piland said. Boulder County Transportation used funds left over from the previous fiscal year to patch the worst areas, he said. Pothole filling will continue to be done by the county, Piland added.

There are no county funds available even to provide a match for homeowners associations who want to finance their own subdivision road improvements, Piland said. “Basically you would pay all your own costs,” he said.