Wellington reverses poultry plant approval

October 21, 2009

By Cherry Sokoloski

The Wellington

 

Northern Colorado Poultry’s plan to build a processing plant in Wellington (Colorado) officially died on Oct. 13, when the Wellington Town Board voted unanimously to repeal the conditional approval it granted in July.

The prior ordinance, approved with a 4-3 vote, would have allowed Nunn-based NCP to build a new and expanded plant in Boxelder Business Park, on the north side of Wellington.

The plan had come under intense criticism by neighbors in the Buffalo Creek subdivision, and a recent citizens’ petition demanded that the town board either repeal the ordinance or hold an election to let the citizens decide the issue.

Town administrator Larry Lorentzen reported that the town had received a letter from NCP’s attorney, saying the company is no longer interested in pursuing the Wellington site.

A new company, Rocky Mountain Poultry Processing LLC, is set to reopen the Nunn processing plant in the near future. Owner Doug Rice has said he is not interested in expanding the business beyond the Nunn plant.

Lori and Stan Waddell, who leased the processing facility to NCP, appeared at the board meeting to talk about problems with the company. The company left “a whole list of creditors” behind when it shut down the plant, said Stan Waddell. The couple also cited unsanitary conditions at the plant.

The board also took steps to support the Wellington extension of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County. Members passed a resolution supporting the club and showing appreciation to volunteers, staff and the donors who enabled the club to remain open after financial problems nearly forced its closure earlier this fall.

In addition, the board agreed to hold a special recognition night for Wellington’s own Youth of the Year on Jan. 14, 2010. The countywide organization honors a Youth of the Year each February.

The Wellington event, to be called Mayor Recognition Night, will be held in conjunction with Business After Hours, which the town board will host that evening. The town board has not previously hosted a Business After Hours event, noted board member Mishie Daknis.

“It’s a great way to show support for the club,” she said.

Other town board business on Oct. 13 included the following.

The board approved purchase of a plasma cutter/welder combination tool for $4,573.

Lorentzen reported that the Wellington Senior Center received a grant from the Colorado Department of Transportation for a new bus. The 12-passenger vehicle will cost about $55,000 and will require a match from the senior center of about $11,000. The center already has $10,000 in hand for the match, according to coordinator Trudy Patterson. Currently being built, the bus should be ready by next spring.

The executive session for the town administrator’s annual evaluation was postponed until the next meeting, Oct. 27.