On March 31st, the City Council held a special meeting lasting approximately 30 minutes. During this meeting, a Fire and Rescue update was discussed, and approvals were made concerning, 2nd street shared loop trail, purchase of a new breathing air compressor, and repairs needed for Well 1 and 3.
2nd Street Trail
The 2nd street shared loop trail is doing a compass train, due to additional needs.
An extra curb and gutter had to be removed and replaced due to rainstorms, particularly the bad rainstorm that hit when they had already started this project. There is an increase of concrete needed for the east end of Grants High School. The south end of the campus trail needed a drainage pipe, to replace the one that was collapsing.
The sidewalk on Roosevelt avenue was replaced due to drainage and safety issues, despite their plans to leave it. The trail is higher than the sidewalk, which is the safety issue. Gravel will be added to the sidewalk in order to level it out.
These additional repairs and replacements, including NMGRT, are a total of $110,992.95. The project is near completion, with leftover funds. So, these funds are not wasted, ideas as to what they should use this extra money for are being discussed. Some of these ideas include extending the hand railing, adding benches, or trash bins. Mayor Erik Garcia suggested adding a fence and added that he is excited to ride his scooter on the trail.
When this trail is completed, there may be a ribbon cutting and a “fun run.”
Fire & Rescue Update
According to Grants Fire and Rescue Chief Mike Maes they have been remarkably busy. On the 31st, they had two people in Socorro taking hazardous materials awareness and operations class.
In April, they will have a 5-day house training.
Chief Maes requested a new breathing air compressor from Siddons-Martin emergency group. The cascade system they are currently using is located at station one and was made in 2000. Due to its age, it has issues, despite being repaired. Finding the proper parts to repair it is difficult and may be unnecessary, since it is uncertain how much longer it will last. There is a chance that it could last a couple more years, but also a chance it may only last several weeks.
A new breathing air compressor is very much needed to ensure the workers receive quality air. Milan and the County have new systems and have been helping the Grants fire department fill their bottles. However, that requires them to drive to Milan in order to get the bottle filled every time they are empty, which is inconvenient for the department, especially if there is an emergency.
The Council approved the $59,416.99 purchase, because as Chief Maes put it “Safety first and foremost that we’re breathing quality air.”
Councilor Zachariah Gutierrez said “I like your positivity. You are not scared to ask [or] plan and be initiative-taking… keep it up.”
The ladder truck they received recently was being operated on when it broke a sensor, which caused it only to be able to turn one way. It was sent to be repaired and was noticed on the same day as this meeting.
This truck, like the heavy rescue truck that has a pirate painted on it, will have a unique design. “I’m gonna surprise you, I won’t tell you who it is, but its’s a unique design, it’s pretty cool.” Chief Maes told the board.
EMS has been helping Cibola General, taking transfers to Albuquerque or Santa Fe. An ambulance truck was donated to them from Rio Rancho. This ambulance is a noticeably big one and will be used as a backup ambulance.
Mayor Garcia recalled how long Chief Maes has been in his position and asked how he feels from several years ago to now, adding “It feels like the department is growing. Financially it seems like it is working.”
Chief Maes agrees “It is working. It is a struggle, but I love it. I am having a little bit of fun.”
The department, as of the 31st, was waiting for the governor to sign off on a bill so they can have an additional station. “We have some pretty big plans for that money. I guarantee it is not gonna go to waste.” Chief Maes assured them, also adding that he has a design in mind.
“Thats nice.” Mayor Garcia said “You guys going up and advocating for Grants is huge. Where you guys wanna put it, I am 100 percent… You are putting that construction tax money back into our community so its three times over better. Mayor Garcia went on to say “Chief, I appreciate what you have done since you have been there- well since I have known you. You have been around here for five years, and you are a pain, but you are a good leader, chief.
Well Repairs
Alpha Southwester Water has run into an issue with Well 1. This particular well has lost approximately 70% of its production, no longer being able to produce enough to fill the San Jose storage tank. This affects the primary well, Well 3, too.
Well, one requires a weeklong repair which will include the removal of the current pump and then replacing it. The pump that will be removed is to be rebuilt, if possible, so it can be used as a backup pump. This will cost $162,699.85 with NMGRT, which will be paid with the $500,000 infrastructure money.
Well three, once Well 1 is repaired, it needs to be shut down and the transformer has been replaced, which will help the survey that has been causing problems for some time.
To ensure that the wells get their job done, they will be alternating and repaired as soon as possible, due to the vitality of getting it up and running.