Task force will look at construction

“We're dying out there,” long-time local Ian Long said this week about the local construction trade. He appeared Monday night before the Snowmass Village Town Council to ask for their participation in forming a task force that would explore ways to jump start the stalled industry.

One idea could be to temporarily suspend the town's Excise Tax, which allows home-owners to do an addition beyond what's currently permitted (in terms of floor area) on their property.

While Mayor Bill Boineau is cool to suspending the tax, the group will try and brainstorm some other building concepts. Long said home construction costs have dropped by between 20-30 percent in the past year.

Two councilmembers, Markey Butler and Reed Lewis, are especially supportive of the task-force idea.

“Getting some money into this valley, Snowmass, is better than no money,” said Long.

Free bus service may be imperiled

No-fare RFTA bus service between Snowmass Village and Aspen could end as soon as April 11, if no modifications are made to the 2010 EOTC budget. Funded by Pitkin County's 1/2 cent sales and use tax, the EOTC budget for 2010 shows that at least two-thirds of the year's net revenues are dedicated to fund the Entrance to Aspen capital project.

This didn't go over well with elected officials in Snowmass Village. In Councilman John Wilkinson's view, the buses help to take vehicles off the road between the two towns. Markey Butler, who sits on the EOTC board, said maybe some of those no-fare buses between Aspen and Snowmass could be paid for by decreasing funds for the Entrance to Aspen project this year.

Wilkinson spoke of how, 18 years ago, one of the reasons he and his family moved from their home near Aspen's S-curves was because of fear about a four-lane near their property. He expressed doubts about that trigger to the Entrance to Aspen happening any time in the future.

Snowmass elected officials were also a bit chagrined to see the $50,000 transportation contribution to X Games remain at the same level as past years while “eliminating year-round (free) transportation” between the towns, said Wilkinson.

The council, which opted not to approve a resolution approving the revised EOTC budget, wants to meet with other EOTC board members by early March in order to express their concerns and to let them know this provision could be a deal-breaker.

Sample a Rec Center class

All during February, the Snowmass Recreation Center is showcasing its wide array of classes and programs, which take place in the gym, pool and on the climbing wall.

“We want to show everyone what we've been doing,” said Recreation Specialist Chris “Woodsie” Woods. Those who have been the lucky recipients of a free voucher will be impressed by the wide array of options offered during the daytime, evening hours and on the weekends. If a pass hasn't come your way, give Woodsie or any Rec Center employee a call at 922-2240. Check out the roster of classes by going on-line to snowmassrecreation.com.

Fast finish for collegian

Behind two former Olympians, Snowmass Villager Lindsey Wilkinson recently finished fourth in the mBank Half Noque, a 25K point to point Nordic ski race in Upper Michigan. Wilkinson finished with a time of 1:29:08.3, good enough for first in her age division and fourth overall out of the 73 competitors in last weekend's event that traversed between Negaunee and Marquette.

Rick's the man

Realtor Rick Griffin of Joshua & Co. was recently selected as the authorized real-estate agent to sell Country Club Town Home units 25 and 26, which were formerly in the town's employee housing inventory. Due to several costly upgrade to this project, which resulted in special assessments, the town decided to sell two of the units that it owned.

“This selection (of Griffin) was based on commission rate and experience in selling both deed restricted and free market housing in Snowmass Village,” Town Manager Russ Forrest said this week.

Music performance in Base Village

Along with local musicians from Aspen Middle School and Aspen High, nearly four dozen student/musicians from Kansas will perform a free concert in Base Village this Saturday, Feb. 6. The jazz concert begins at 9 a.m. For more information, call Nancy at 925-3760, ext. 2158.