By Lynn Janes

The Silver City Town Council held a regular meeting November 12, 2024. Attendance to the meeting included Mayor Ken Ladner, Mayor Pro Tem Guadalupe Cano, , Nicholas Prince (phone) and Stan Snider. Rudy Bencomo didn't attend

Council comments.

Cano wanted to let everyone know about some upcoming events for the weekend. The Red Paint Wowow at the university and the Tamal Festival at Fort Bayard. On December 8, 2024, Cano will be directing a production at the Fine Arts Theater called A Chicano Christmas. It will play only once at 2:00 pm and the tickets will be $5.

Sider said he had received some inquiries about the sludge project at the wastewater treatment plant. This project will convert the sludge into compost and make pellets for burning that produce a blue flame and convert to biochar. The people had been concerned about pathogens and PSFAs. In reference to the pathogens the heat from the process kills all pathogens and it will be tested for ecoli. The PSFA's would be a concern in other areas but Silver City sources its water from wells. The wells have been tested for PFSAs and have not found any. Currently the sludge goes to the landfill and must be treated as hazardous waste. By composting it would be a beneficial product.

Prince thanked everyone for accommodating him through flu season.

Public input

Jose Ray addressed the council with a request and comment. He had heard they wanted to have a citizen committee to oversee the police department. "This is not a good idea. They do a good job and people don't know the policies they have." He extended that to the fire department. "Don't fix something that is not broken." Ray said he would like to see more activities downtown to include everyone, adults and youth.

New business

The town of Silver City had a letter of appreciation to present to Ted Lynn. He has volunteered 27 years working with the Silver City Public Library in different capacities. He recently had to resign from the library advisory group due to health issues. He had not been able to attend, and Ken Dayer, director, and Kim Clark, advisory group, accepted the letter on his behalf. Clark said she had served with the group for 10 years and he would be greatly missed. Dayer said Lynn had predated him, but has been an important part of the library since he had come and appreciated all he had done for them.

The council approved ordinance 1333. This changed the business use downtown to conditional. It will mean people will have to come to the council for business approval. It will also not allow any cannabis businesses near the high school and hospital.

The council approved the appointment of Marion MacDonald to the trails and open spaces advisory committee. They had received just one application, and the chair of the committee recommended her.

Meeting adjourned