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Thursday, July 24, 2008

Plan Targets Streets Near Fairgrounds

By Rory Mcclannahan
Mountain View Telegraph
      The trouble with getting money from the state for a capital improvement project is that there is rarely enough money appropriated to actually pay for the completion of the project.
    But in Estancia, the Board of Trustees is hoping to consolidate appropriations from several state departments to at least get a start on improving the roads around the Torrance County Fairgrounds and the town's Arthur Park.
    Mayor Martin Hibbs suggested at the board's July 17 meeting that the town combine $150,000 that it received through the state's Municipal Arterial Program and a $150,000 capital outlay appropriation for road improvements with an additional $50,000 appropriation the town is sharing with the Torrance County Fairgrounds to create a master plan for the area around the fairgrounds and Arthur Park. The money also could be used to start on road projects, or possibly build public restrooms, in the area.
    "Separately, we won't be able to do much with this money," Hibbs said.
    The council agreed that the plan sounded good, voting unanimously to move forward with combining the money. However, Trustee Ted Barela said that the town does need to be careful that funds be spent within the parameters of the grants.
    "I like the idea behind it. But I think it should go beyond just the park," Barela said.
    Municipal Arterial Program funds are generally appropriated to connect major roads within a town. Hibbs agreed, saying the idea is to ensure that visitors can get to the park from N.M. 55.
    Also at the meeting:
    n Trustees voted to award contracts to D & R Tank Co. to build a water storage tank for the town and Sparling Construction Co. to build transmission lines from the tank into the town's water infrastructure. The projects will be paid for through state grants and loans.
    n Trustees voted to focus on N.M. 41 through Estancia for Youth Conservation Corps projects for 2009. The town has to get its grant application in by Aug. 15. In past years, projects have focused on the town's park and cemetery.
   

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