Timnath finds council member and hires new staff

By Dan MacArthur
Fossil Creek Current

Timnath is on the move with a new town council member, new staff and a new public works building now under construction.

The town's recently appointed council member wants to ensure the town avoids the uncontrolled growth that she believes has afflicted her neighboring childhood home.

"I think Fort Collins has done a lot of things wrong as far as growth," said Cheryl Hesser. "I think Timnath has done it right."

She recently was appointed to fill the council seat Meg Corwin vacated after being named director of U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar's north-central regional office.

Hesser grew up in Fort Collins, moving there in 1960 at age 12. She moved to Timnath 10 years ago and served on a committee developing zoning for the downtown. Hesser retired last year after a 29-year career at Colorado State University, the last 23 of those as associate director for administration in the Office of Student Financial Services.

She said her dealings with state and federal regulations in the financial aid office, along with her upbringing in a family of builders, give her a good background for serving on the council.

Hesser said she expects her work on council will involve "a lot of working with developers who don't understand a small-town atmosphere."

"We all have to be in it together," said Hesser, a self-proclaimed "strong team player."

New staff

Town Clerk Linda Salas and Management Coordinator Tracey McCoy joined the town staff on Sept. 10.

Salas served as Boulder County clerk from 2004 to 2006 and previously was the Erie town clerk, Boulder deputy city clerk and Louisville deputy city clerk. She will be responsible for preparing council packets and agendas, taking minutes and overseeing liquor licensing as the town grows.

Tracey McCoy was hired as management coordinator. Town Manager Becky Davidson said McCoy will be responsible for special projects and preparing requests for proposals.

McCoy recently resigned as Ault's police chief, a job he held for the last four years. He is pursuing a master's degree in public administration at the University of Colorado.

According to the Greeley Tribune, McCoy will earn more than the $47,231 he received in Ault. Davidson, however, would not release the new employees' salaries, even though Colorado law mandates public disclosure.

Davidson said Timnath's public works building should be completed by November. The 8,400-square-foot metal building is located on County Road 3 between Mill Brothers Landscape and Nursery and Walker Manufacturing. The cost is $750,000 for the building and $180,000 for the land.

The building will include office space for the town staff, a large meeting room, and two bays for the maintenance equipment the town will eventually buy, according to Davidson. She said the building also offers flexibility to alter its configuration to meet future needs.

Davidson said the town council will meet in the elementary school and the seven-person staff will occupy the entire city hall and adjoining modular office until the new building is complete. Then, she said, the town hall will be used exclusively for meetings, except for larger ones that can be better accommodated at the new building.