Board approves $7,500 package to help Bridges Bounty build barn and community refrigerator

The Town of Frederick Board of Trustees voted 5–0 on June 3 to provide a $7,500 package to Bridges Bounty Community Resources to support construction of a pole barn and a community refrigerator to expand local food distribution and educational programming.

Bridges Bounty representatives Christie Conroy and George Andrews told the board the volunteer-run nonprofit operates gardens, donated more than 3,200 pounds of produce to the Weld County Food Bank last year, and seeks a barn, refrigerator and a small produce stand to make fresh food more accessible locally. Andrews said the total project need is $7,500 and asked the town either to waive permitting fees (about $5,500), provide the full amount or give partial support.

The board discussed the request line-by-line with staff and presenters, focusing on which fees could be waived. A trustee asked that any waiver exclude public-safety impact fees; the board’s motion approved a $7,500 package that waives permitting fees but leaves public-safety fees and taxes in place. Mayor Kreitz later clarified the waiver equates to roughly $5,252 in permit fees; any amount beyond that would be treated as a town donation.

Trustees approved the motion after a second. The vote was recorded as unanimous (5–0).

Bridges Bounty said the barn will store equipment and host an educational room for students, and the refrigerator will be sited near a church at Tipple and Johnson so residents can access food at their leisure. Presenters said volunteers will log inventory and replenish the refrigerator regularly rather than monitor individual users.

Next steps indicated in the meeting: staff will work with the nonprofit on permit details and confirm the fee waiver calculations. The board did not set additional funding conditions at the meeting.