Milan meeting: little business, plenty of holiday cheer to basics

MILAN - The December regular Board of Trustees meeting was short in business with plenty of holiday cheer.

Mayor Tom Ortega complimented village workers for their hard work in beautifying the main thoroughfare in Milan with Christmas lights and decorations.

“I am proud that Milan offers a beautiful main street to its residents,” the mayor said. “I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season.” All the trustees echoed the mayor's remarks to the employees who put up the decorations.

Besides the usual department head remarks by Village Manager Marcella Sandoval and Police Chief Jerry Stephens, two issues highlighted the meetings discussions; the possible closure of the golf course and a plan by the manager to prepare and cut nearly five percent of the villages expenses beginning in 2009.

Sandoval informed the mayor and trustees that she (the village) along with other municipalities was advised by the state at a recent conference to cut their expenses between five to 15 percent for the next several years because of the nation's economic status. The state advised that money from state and federal levels could get less and less.

“Because of the condition we (the village) are in,” Sandoval told the trustees, “I believe we can get by with the minimal five percent cut.” She said many of the municipalities are dependent on state and federal money and because of the current economical crunch they are feeling, all governments are asked to prepare for tighter times for the next two to four years.

“Thankfully,” Sandoval added, “we are not having to make 10 or 15 percent cuts.”

The manager gave the officials three examples of how the village could save money quick: temporary positions, fireworks ($14,000) and the golf course. Saving amounts were not discussed for the temporary positions and the golf course.

Sandoval did inform the mayor and trustees that despite the tough economic times being felt by the state and nation, the village is right on target in revenue through November “and that is with the pool being closed for three months,” she added.

The officials later voted unanimously in order for Sandoval to begin the process of closing the golf course for the upcoming spring season.

According to Sandoval there was recent discussions between the golf course owner and the American Legion Post 80 that the course would be donated to the club but to no avail. Currently the village is leasing the course for very little annually but the big expense is in the maintenance part of the business.

“Residents would rather us spend our money on the parks owned by us,” Mayor Ortega said, “not on parks that are really not ours.”

Other items of interest discussed were:

• Police Chief Jerry Stephens informed the officials that the regional transit planning among Milan, Grants, Gallup and Farmington has been put on hold because “it just not being feasible as this time.”

• Stephens also told officials that the local transit system had been suspended because of an insurance issue.

• Court Clerk Carol Jarrell was named December Employee of the Month.

The next regular meeting for the village is on Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m.