Fraser may grow its artistic endeavors to house some canine companions this summer.
Sky-Hi News approached the Fraser Board of Trustees with a proposal to host a large-scale public art event called “Canine Cabins.” The publisher of Sky-Hi, Emma Trainor, explained how the project could follow the excitement of this year’s Fraser Mural Festival.
Local artists and contractors would build 15-20 doghouses that would be on display for two weeks in the Mural Park before being auctioned off online. Proceeds would go to support a local pet charity.
Trainor asked for $15,000 from the town to sponsor the project and be named the host community. Town manager Jeff Durbin suggested the money could come from the general fund.
Mayor Philip Vandernail asked if the name of the event could be changed to tie in the town further, such as “Fraser’s In The Dog House.”
Mayor Pro-Tem Eileen Waldow requested that a portion of the funds raised go to the Fraser Center for the Creative Arts and the board agreed.
The board unanimously approved a motion to move forward with the Canine Cabins including certain changes like a possible name change and at least 50% of funds going toward the creative arts center.
In other business:
• The board continued discussions on the Fraser Deed Restriction Program and the Fraser Housing Authority. The new program, which the board is working on in parallel with Winter Park, would have the town buy a deed restriction from a property owner limiting who could live there to year-round residents working in the community.
Durbin noted the town needs to work on definitions of employment and residence and added the idea had already seen a lot of interest. Fraser’s Economic Development Advisory Committee has also supported the idea of serving as the Fraser Housing Authority.