Quay County imposes indefinite burn ban

Just days after wildfires burned tens of thousands of acres in northern New Mexico, Quay County Commissioners on Monday unanimously approved an ordinance that issues a burn ban for an indefinite period.

County fire marshal Lucas Bugg recommended the proclamation’s passage. He said he conferred with fire chiefs of the county’s rural districts and municipalities, and all were in favor of a burn ban.

Bugg said an “unimaginable” amount of land has burned in San Miguel, Colfax and Mora counties from wildfires there.

He also cited the Mitchell Fire east of Mosquero in Harding County that developed about noon Friday and quickly grew out of control due to high winds and drought conditions. As of Sunday evening, it had burned an estimated 25,000 acres and prompted several evacuations, with only 10% of the fire contained.

“Honestly, it could happen here,” Bugg said.

He urged residents to be cautious and call 911 if they spot a fire. Commissioner Jerri Rush also recommended residents clear defensible spaces around their homes and properties to make them less vulnerable to wildfires.

The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department Forestry Division on Friday announced restrictions on fireworks, smoking, campfires and open fires in the state.

“This last weekend forced the state’s hand,” Bugg said.

The Village of Logan also imposed a ban on open flames and fireworks on Thursday.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday signed an executive order urging New Mexico municipalities and counties to ban the retail sale of fireworks.

Quay County’s new ordinance imposes a county-wide ban on any outdoor open flames in all unincorporated areas with the exception of propane and charcoal barbecue grills with covers. It also prohibits fireworks.

The county also is prohibiting smoking except in enclosed buildings, in vehicles equipped with ashtrays and “on paved or surfaced roads, developed recreation sites, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.”

Anyone charged with violating the ban will appear before Quay County magistrate court.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor map as of April 21, the eastern third of New Mexico remained in extreme or exceptional drought conditions.

In other business:

• Commissioners approved its usual $250,000 quarterly mill levy and gross-receipts taxes payment to Trigg Memorial Hospital in Tucumcari.

Commissioners also heard a quarterly report from hospital administrator Vickie Gutierrez. She said the number of patients using the hospital’s infusion clinic dropped drastically in January through March due to fewer COVID-19 cases.

She said Trigg still was using traveling nursing staff to cover hard-to-fill positions. She also said the hospital’s ultrasound unit also was not operating due to staffing shortages.

• Commissioners heard a monthly report from C. Renee Hayoz, administrator at the Quay County Family Health Center in Tucumcari. She said the number of patient visits was down, which was unusual this time of year. She said other clinics in the Presbyterian Medical Services network reported similar decreases.

Hayoz said the clinic is offering second COVID-19 booster shots every two weeks to residents age 50 and older or to the immune-compromised.

• Scott Crotzer, executive director of the Tucumcari/Quay County Chamber of Commerce, gave an update on his office’s activities. He said the chamber was “going back to what our mission was” when it was founded in 1910. He said the number of tourist visits at his office has totaled 165 through April 20, compared to 159 in all of 2021 and 10 in 2020. The number of chamber memberships also has grown from 73 a year ago to 128 now.

Crotzer said the chamber office had been funded up to $4,500 a month 10 years ago to essentially being defunded in 2021 shortly before his hiring. He said the chamber ran a $15,000 deficit last year, and his pay last year was $25,000.

Crotzer said his goal is to go from being an hourly employee to salaried, with a target of $60,000 a year. He is requesting $20,000 in that funding from the county, plus $20,000 from the city of Tucumcari and $20,000 from the chamber. Commissioners took no action on the funding request, though it is due to pass an annual budget in May.

• Connie Loveland, executive director of Tucumcari MainStreet, presented a funding request of $15,000, compared to $5,000 the previous year.

She said her office has incurred more expenses — professional services, utilities, advertising and insurance — from its takeover of the Tucumcari Railroad Museum. Loveland said the museum has seen over 500 visitors this year alone, and its income has surpassed projections. She plans to expand the gift shop and begin accepting credit cards.

Commissioners took no action on Loveland’s funding request, though it is scheduled to pass an annual budget in May.

• Commissioners heard an update from Patrick Vanderpool, executive director of the Greater Tucumcari Economic Development Corp., on office’s activities on trying to retain jobs or create new ones in the region. He said two possible businesses looking to expand operations were suitable for Tucumcari’s old broom factory.

Vanderpool also talked about the state’s interest in converting the 132-mile Dawson rail line from Tucumcari to the ghost town of Dawson to a pedestrian and bicycle trail. Commission Chairman Franklin McCasland voiced concerns about easements with rural property owners along the trail. “I think you need to be careful about property rights with that,” he said.

• County Assessor Janie Hoffman gave her office’s annual, state-mandated report. She said her workers finished a property re-inspection plan. She said her goal in the next few years is to increase Quay County’s total assessed value from the current $250 million to more than $300 million. That would make the county eligible for more services that would benefit property owners.

• Commissioners approved a rental agreement of $600 a month with the county’s DWI Program for fiscal year 2023.

• Commissioners approved a contract for audit services with Carr, Riggs and Ingram of Clovis for $44,461.

• Commissioners approved a proclamation calling the first week in May as Teacher Appreciation Week. A drive-up breakfast for area teachers at Tucumcari Historic Railroad Plaza is being organized the morning of May 3. County manager Daniel Zamora said he was amenable to expanding teacher-appreciation efforts in other villages in the county next year.

• During public comments, Joe Szaloy again urged commissioners to impose speed-control measures on East Maple Avenue on Tucumcari’s northeast edge. Last week, Szaloy said an SUV rounded the curve on the street at about 70 mph.

“I’m concerned its an unregulated roadway that needs some sort of speed controls in place,” he said. “It’s getting worse and worse.”