Council authorizes presenting hydrant‑access draft with $500 offer to water company

The council directed staff to present the draft water‑access contract to Boulder Farmstead Water Company with the town’s offer set at $500 per year in the payment field and asked the company to accept or counter that amount. The issue centers on access to privately‑owned hydrants, snow‑removal expectations and liability/indemnification for fire protection access.

Council members said the agreement is intended to clarify notification and access procedures rather than alter ownership. One council member summarized the contract's intent as focusing on "how we access the hydrants and the notification around that and the liability around that." After discussion about precedent and negotiation posture, the council voted to present the draft with $500 and invite a counteroffer; the motion passed 5–0.

Why this matters: the agreement affects the town’s fire access logistics and budgeted service levels (snow removal around hydrants). Council signaled it prefers to negotiate in good faith and consider arbitration or attorney mediation if parties cannot agree.

What’s next: staff will send the draft package with the $500 figure to the water company and request a timely response; if the company declines, council discussed asking for a counteroffer or pursuing third‑party arbitration.