MILAN, N.M. – Village of Milan officials heard Homestake updates along with one petroleum company’s interest in the Milan Industrial Park.
Eileen Chavez Yarborough, Cibola Communities Economic Development Foundation executive director, introduced representatives of the Kinder Morgan Transmix Company, LLC. Area business owner Ronnie Pynes supported the proposal which included locating a Transmix facility in the Milan Industrial Park. The petroleum processing facility would provide approximately 25-30 jobs.
(Kinder Morgan Transmix Company, LLC operates transmix fuel refineries. The Company produces gasoline and diesel fuel from a transmix mixture of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel caused by pipeline transfers. Kinder Morgan Transmix operates in North America, according to https://www.bloomberg.com/.)
Homestake site remediation
JoAnne Martinez, Homestake public relations, introduced the Milan site hydrologist who has served in that position for three years and previously was the site consultant for eight years. He described the remediation process, which began in 1977, and the com pany’s plans. Homestake Mining Company, a subsidiary of Barrick Gold Corporation, has spent $230 million in efforts to clean up the defunct uranium milling facility. The property, which covers more than 250 acres, features storage of two tailings’ piles and three evaporation ponds. The obsolete facility has been identified as a source of groundwater contamination. Homestake has installed more than 800 wells at the site for groundwater injection, collection, and monitoring purposes between 1977 and 2021.
The types of soil and the patterns of water movement within the aquifer mean it could take more than 200 years to clean up the uranium mining contamination from the water source, according to the hydrologist. He predicted that it would require 350 years to remove the lithium from the groundwater supply. The company decided that remediation is impractical.
Homestake has opted to purchase land from the adjoining property owners and seal the private wells. Most of the residential subdivisions surrounding the Homestake property receive potable water from Milan municipal wells. Some properties still have private water sources, which can be at risk for uranium contamination. The company has stressed that homeowners are not required to sell to Homestake.
Fire department
Chief Keith Austin, MFD, reported that the department responded to seven fire calls in March. The only one in the Village was a minibike that burned; all the others were brush fires in Grants, San Rafael, or Bluewater Villages District. The department is considering working with Facility Build for the Motel Drive fire station upgrade.
The architectural firm designed the Grants Public Library and is on the State Contract list, according to Chief Austin.
Police department
Chief Carl Ustupski, MPD, reported that officers have seen an uptick in activity. The department responded to 206 service calls, March, compared to 137, February. There were six more traffic stops in March, 39, than the previous month, 33. Five auto accidents occurred in February and seven in March. Officers arrested 20 offenders in March compared to the previous month, eleven. The Administrative Assistant position was filled on March 31; one officer position remains open. Chief Ustupski said some applications have been received but no qualified candidate has accepted employment.
Michael Cavin, Ordinance and Zoning Official, responded to 16 calls from residents, deployed 11 traps, removed six animals, and issued two citations in March. He is completing coursework and has attended five training sessions. including FEMA classes.
Chief Ustupski acknowledged ordering new uniforms for MPD officers including the administrative assistant and the animal control officer, Michael Cavin.
Manager’s report
The Milan Natatorium had 567 swimmers and generated $1,004 in revenue during March. Two swimmers have achieved the 100-mile level as members of the 500-Mile Club, which has 26 participants.
The demand for transit services increased from 773, February, to 1,007 in March. Forty-six passengers traveled for veterans’ services in February; that number rose to 96 in March. The transit service is available at no cost to all passengers because of federal pandemic funding.
Employee of the Month
The Rockin’ 66 Transit employees were recognized for their outstanding job performance and dedication to serving transit customers.
The village hall audio system malfunctioned during the first 25 minutes which impaired public access via Facebook. Village Manager Sarah Austin provided additional information about the April 15 Board of Trustees’ meeting.
Upcoming meetings
• Wednesday, May 12, trustees’ teleconferencing workshop, 5:30 p.m., village hall, 623 Uranium Ave., Milan.
• Thursday, May 20, trustees’ teleconferencing meeting 5:30 p.m., village hall, 623 Uranium Ave., Milan.
Public access is available at https://www.facebook.com/villageofmilann m/
Meeting notices and agendas are available at https://towncloud.io/go/mil an-nm/
Visit villageofmilan.com or call 505-285-6694 for more information.