MILAN - Village officials announced garbage collection fees will decrease next month. Currently, an average household is billed $12.15 per week. Beginning in September, that rate will lower to $11.53.

The Board of Trustees August meeting, attended by more than one dozen people, also covered several topics including work on a village well, new badges for police officers and a request by the Grants library for additional funds.

The village hall also has new exit signs. Installed by C and C Electric Co., these comply with federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements. The other village buildings will soon have the same signage, Ortega said.

The trustees also received an update about Well B-35. Utilities Director Ben Chavez reported that the casing had been pulled and the well closed while repairs are performed. These pipes were installed about 11 years ago and the damaged area is approximately four feet from the top of the casing. He supplied the board with photos. Ortega commented on the pipe's rusty appearance and Chavez remarked that minerals in the water supply cause these deposits over a period of time.

Marie Connell, board representative of Mother Whiteside Memorial Library, provided updates on the proposed new library facility in Grants. In the past three years, Milan residents' use of the library services has been between 11 percent and 15 percent annually, she said, and the village currently contributes $4,500. She requested that the trustees consider an annual increase of $2,300 to better reflect services Milan residents receive. Trustee Ellen Baca responded to Connell's presentation stating, “This is a good vision for the future of the library. I hope the trustees will find a few more dollars to contribute toward the library budget.”

The cul-de-sac curbing on Pinon Street has been re-designed in response to drainage problems, according to Chavez. Several of the homes were built in the 1970s and sit at a lower elevation than neighboring structures. During heavy rains this leads to drainage problems similar to those occurring in other parts of Milan. It was noted that 65 Milan homes are located in the floodway, according to Federal Emergency Management Administration standards.

Department reports:

Marcella Sandoval, village manager, who is on vacation this week, asked Police Chief Jerry Stephens to give the reports.

• Cibola Transit has seen increases in numbers of passengers. Buses are operating on a regular schedule.

• The Parks and Recreation staff has completed the wall separating the pool maintenance supplies from the other storage items as required by OSHA. Median landscaping maintenance continues. Stephens mentioned possible plans to paint jeans and shirt on Loomis figure for La Fiesta de Colores during May.

• As part of the New Mexico 100 Days and 100 Nights program, village and state police officers participated in a vehicle checkpoint. Approximately 200 vehicles passed through and 17 citations were issued. No field sobriety tests were needed. A new dispatcher, Victoria Lewis, has been tentatively hired and Stephens is awaiting the completion of final paperwork. He pointed out the new badge on his uniform that he received on Monday. Currently Stephens is seeking a supplier for the state emblem that is in the center of each badge. Jewelers at Chaco Canyon Trading Post will create solid silver badges of the same design for all officers. 

• Employee of the Month is Police Officer Rashawn McKinney. Ortega commented on McKinney's positive work ethic.

Board action:

The board approved the resolution providing for the 20098/2010 Cooperative Agreement Funding Program with the state Department of Transportation. Ortega commented, “The village strongly supports these funding projects.” With this cost-sharing program Milan pays 25 percent and the state contributes 75 percent.