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Grants Police Department recognized two officers. Detective Corporal Cherise Garcia (Left) was awarded a special recognition award and Officer Sammi Sarracino (Right) was recognized as 2023 Officer of the Year. Courtesy Photo
GRANTS, NM – On January 20 the City of Grants a held a special city council meeting. The meeting included a retirement ceremony for Fire Chief Robert Hays, recognition of Grants Police Department officer of the year, multiple approvals of projects and appointments of individuals to various boards.
Mayor Garcia gave a small speech to commemorate the retirement of Hays covering his entire career of from January 1982 to January 2024, a total of 42 years dedicated to public service. Mayor Garcia said, “Best wishes, well deserved retirement. Congratulations Chief Hays AKA ‘The Peacemaker’.” The city also presented a plaque to Hays in appreciation for his work as the Fire Chief for the Grants Fire Department.
The City of Grants recognized the Officer of the Year from the Grants Police Department. Police Chief Maxine Monte announced the 2023 Officer of the Year, Officer Sammi Sarracino. Sarracino made 108 arrests which made up 23 percent out of the 463 arrests made by the entire department in 2023. Sarracino thanked the city and the police department for the recognition, “I would just like to say thank you for the opportunity to work for the Grants Police Department. Also, they have been a great support along with my family they have been super supportive of this journey of mine, it’s been good to me.”
The police department also awarded another officer a special recognition award. The officer who received this award is Detective Corporal Cherise Garcia. Monte spoke about Garcia, “This officer has been with the department three, four years. This officer we get a lot of good comments from the District Attorney’s Office because we can give her a case and she can review the whole case and she can go up there and testify without reading from the case file.”
The council approved the appointment of Barbara Maxwell to the Library Board for a three-year term and Robert Hays to the City Charter Advisory Committee for a three-year term. The council also approved the re-appointment of Norma J. Patterson to the Recreation Board for a twoyear term and Gloria Chavez to the Cemetery Board for a two-year term.
There was a discussion on public safety Police Chief Monte and Fire Chief Mike Maes gave updates on their respective departments. The police department worked with New Mexico State Police for warrant round-ups in the City of Grants, nine officers from GPD and 12 officers from NMSP participated in the round-ups. GPD also the round-ups. GPD also conducted an active shooter training for two church groups with 50 participants. The Fire Department had 2,450 reportable incidents that the department responded to in 2023. 3,715.83 hours were spent in training. A Pharmacy License and a Controlled Substance License was obtained by the Fire Department for medical transportation, they are waiting on approval to carry narcotics. They are also waiting for their temporary PRC license which will allow them to recoup funds for transporting individuals during medical emergencies.
The council approved multiple purchases at this special city council meeting. They approved the purchases of a John Deere Gator TX in the amount of $13,113.66 for the Grants Rodeo Association. They approved the purchase of a Skid Steer Backhoe Attachment in the amount of $23,359 for the Public Works Department. They also approved the purchase of a Pneumatic Roller in the amount of $70,000 for the Roads Department.
The city needs guidance on the Lead and Copper Rule that requires the Public Works Department and the Pipes Department to inventory and report city water service lines and what they are made of to NMED by October 2023, as well as create a sampling plan for all childcare facilities and schools, and prepare a service line replacement plan. The Public Works Department and the Pipes Department requested the approval of 120Water in the amount of $24,539.00 for guidance services for one year. The council approved the request.
The council approved a contract between the city and Robert Hays for consulting. Hays posesses one of the highest licensures for wastewater and water. He has consulted individuals at the wastewater treatment plant, the water, and pipes department; He will betraining employees in wastewater and water certifications. Hays will also give the city direction on safety plans for the city if there are any safety concerns, going forward.