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Wednesday, April 29, 2009 Village gets Small Cities AssistanceMoney likely to be put toward well project The Village of Magdalena got an unexpected windfall recently when it learned it would receive about $77,000 more than expected through Small Cities Assistance funding. Village Clerk-Treasurer Rita Broaddus said Small Cities Assistance funds are distributed annually to communities throughout the state based on a formula. She said the village anticipated getting about $135,000 from the state, but instead received $206,800. Asked how the village planned to spend the surplus, Broaddus said, "It'll probably go toward the telemetry system. That's something that we really need to have done." The telemetry system automates the village's water system and controls the pump at the main well. A lightning strike incapacitated the system last August and the pump has had to be manually turned on and off ever since. In addition, a pump failure over a weekend when the pump was not being monitored caused the village to be without water for about three days last month. Roughly $5,000 of the Small Cities Assistance funds will be put toward the design of the telemetry system. The Board of Trustees approved a motion for WFL Engineering of Socorro to do the work at its regular meeting on Monday. The board approved the hiring of the company as a consultant for the planning and design of an expanded well project at its previous meeting on April 13. That part of the plan calls for another well, located within about 100 feet of the well that currently serves the village, to be drilled an additional 200 feet to a depth of 400 feet. Mayor Jim Wolfe said at the time that it would give Magdalena two wells from which to draw water, thus providing a backup. At Monday's meeting, Wolfe said the money from the Small Cities Assistance fund could open the door for more state funding for the project. "This will give us a leg up on getting money out of the environmental water folks, at least that's what they've indicated," he said. Also during Monday's meeting:
Village Marshal Larry Cearley said that one of the vehicles, a 1998 Ford Expedition, was formerly used by Governor Richardson. The other vehicle, a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria, was used by New Mexico State Police. Cearley said Deputy Marshal Ed Sweeney and his wife, Margaret, were sent to Santa Fe to look into the possibility of acquiring equipment that could be utilized by the village. He said by participating in the program municipalities get first crack at acquiring equipment before it goes to public auction. Cearley said purchases through the GSA would be a good alternative to buying new or used vehicles from another source. The vehicles are priced at 15 percent of their bluebook value and the village would have the option of trading in the vehicles for an upgrade at any time. "What's good about the program is that if they break down, we can call and get a replacement," he said. The Expedition is priced at $2,700 and the Crown Victoria would cost $1,575. The weapons cost $500. Cearley added that other equipment — such as backhoes, forklifts and office equipment — is also available for purchase through GSA.
The next meeting of the board of trustees is scheduled for Monday, May 11, at 6 p.m.
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