Water Maintenance & Repairs

Above, the white water tanks. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that the weather has gotten nicer and warmer, things that need to get done in the community are beginning to get done.

I saw a post on Facebook that our community's water association are currently upgrading the repairing (where needed) the water facilities up the hill. The water association is comprised of resident members who volunteer their services for the betterment of the community. We are lucky to have them.

They are currently working at the white tanks which supplies water to the upper portion of the community and feeds to the green tank that supplies the lower portion of the community.

Water Board Meeting

Above, following the meeting and just before refreshments. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The annual meeting of the Whispering Cedars Water Board ended around 30 minutes ago.

The takeaway from it is that financially, the Board is in fine shape with plenty of funds to meet any emergency (such as equipment breakdowns, etc.).  

Friend Roger Slape was elected to fill one Board vacancy. He will do a fine job.

Above, the food brought in by community members. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I found that I have two votes on the Board. The number of parcels one owns determines the number of votes one has. I have two parcels of land. Interesting.

It was noted that the city of Gallup has eyes on our aquafer and may want to build a pipeline to it (Gallup is 18 miles west of Jamestown). 

Following the meeting, the attendees partook in the food that were brought in pot-luck style. It was good with a couple of dishes with a good kick to them.

Water Board Annual Meeting

Above, Whispering Cedars water association members gathered three years
ago at the community volunteer fire station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One nice thing about living in a small town rural setting is that it's easier to meet your neighbors and the directors of the local utilities.

The annual community meeting with the water board is taking place this morning down at our fire station. So, instead of our usual coffee, we'll be going to this instead.

A water board member posted:

The annual water meeting is tomorrow at the firehouse at 11:00 (Enter through the back door). The Water board will be providing chili con carne, tortillas, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, beans, pork meat, red chili and chopped green chili, a cake along with potato salad and lasagna. Please feel free to bring what you like.

This is a great way to socialize and get the straight skinny on our water service in the community.  

Whispering Cedars Water Association Meeting

Above, Whispering Cedars water association members gathered today
 at the community volunteer fire station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For the first time since I've moved to New Mexico, I attended a meeting of the Whispering Cedars Mutual Domestic Water Association at the community's fire station.

About 60 residents attended and the meeting.

Above, Board Member Nandoh Munoz discusses his display of photographs to a resident. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The meeting followed a printed agenda which included election of board members, officers and a review of the necessary repairs to equipment during the past year. One of the repairs was made necessary to the upper tank and well house after a lightning strike in January.

I was pleased to learn that our water (from an underground aquifer) is one of the best in the region.

The meeting also included a pot luck lunch. Board Member Nandoh Munoz had a display of photographs of different repair and construction work done during the past year.

Following the water association meeting, the fire chief gave a report on the community volunteer fire department. One of the things the chief mentioned was the new fire engine the department obtained this last summer.

Above and below, the new community fire engine. Photos by Armand Vaquer.

Several of us later went outside to look over the new fire engine. It is pretty impressive.

I was able to meet several residents of our community. One recognized me from my Facebook page (image that!) and seeing me riding around on the mini bike. He is the one with a Trump flag on his fence. I mentioned that I have a Trump 2020 "No More Bullshit" flag and showed him a photo of it.

He joked, "Don't show that to my wife on Facebook! She'll want one and I'll have to put up a flagpole!"

During Q & A, I asked if we could get a better and more user-friendly water bill billing system. The one we have is confusing. They want to get a new billing program in, one that also includes payments by credit or debit cards. They can't do that now.

It was an interesting meeting and I learned a lot.