Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Quay County Commission on Monday unanimously approved a resolution supporting Luna Count in its opposition to a proposed Mimbres Peak National Monument.
The commission heard the proposal from Commissioner Jerri Rush at an earlier meeting but tabled action because commission Chairman Robert Lopez was absent due to an illness.
Rush said the federal government wants to designate over 245,000 acres near Deming.
Rush said ranchers who have been in the area for generations would lose grazing privileges on what currently is U.S. Bureau of Land Management property.
“One of these days, they’re going to want to do this in Quay County,” she said.
Lopez, though noting the resolution contained items he viewed as unnecessary, said he also objected to the land-designation proposal because local ranchers and farmers weren’t contacted for input.
“I don’t think it was handled properly,” he said.
In other business:
— Commissioners directed county manager Daniel Zamora to draw up a contract with Wire Towers Solutions of Albuquerque, which would regulate wireless facilities in the county.
Dean Williamson of the company gave another presentation about what it offers. (Lopez was absent due to illness during Williamson’s previous presentation last month.)
The service would come at no cost to the county; the company retains fees from the cellular providers. Williamson said Wire Towers Solutions would ensure new towers in the county would conform to the area’s character and appearance.
Williamson said he anticipates new 5G towers soon would be erected in the county, including in rural areas.
Lopez said he supported the idea of the company drafting a wireless ordinance on the county’s behalf.
“An ordinance is past due with these new technologies,” he said.
Rush said she mostly is suspicious of new regulations, “but sometimes I see a need for that.”
— Zamora said after a consultation with state Rep. Jack Chatfield and the Union Pacific railroad, a crossing arm has been approved for the crossing at Quay Road AI near U.S. 54. Zamora said they now will look for funding to install the crossing arm and additional signs on the road.
Road superintendent Stephen Salas said his crews have begun repairing potholes on that road and Quay Road 96.
— Commissioners approved Salas’ recommendation to hire Miller Engineering Consultants for improvements on 2.18 miles of Quay Road 63. Salas said the firm was highly recommended by contractors.
— During his manager’s report, Zamora said he was about to fill out an application for a $20 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to complete funding to build a new Dr. Daniel C. Trigg Memorial Hospital in Tucumcari.
He said state Sen. Pat Woods has offered to write a letter on the county’s behalf for the request. “We should have a good chance” on getting the money soon, Zamora said.
— Zamora said the roof has been repaired on the concession stand at the Quay County Fairgrounds. He said interior renovations would be next, and he hopes to have those finished by the Rawhide Days festival.
— Commissioners approved an unusually high request of more than $40,000 for the indigent claims board, but not without some questioning. One or two of the indigent health claims were by inmates at the county jail. County Clerk Ellen White also said several of the health services dated to 2023.
— Connie Loveland of Tucumcari MainStreet gave her quarterly report. She said the organization has made available a digital welcome packet for new businesses. The Forge business accelerator program had four businesses enrolled. She also said renovations soon would begin on the east wing of the railroad depot.
— Commissioners approved Public Employees Retirement Association reports for the Conservancy Fire 2, Jordan, Nara Visa and Porter fire districts.