Saturday, November 15, 2008

Peralta plans to hire two employees as it completes personnel ordinance

Sandy Battin News-Bulletin Editor; sbattin@news-bulletin.com

Peralta As it prepares a personnel ordinance, Peralta is beginning the process of hiring a receptionist and a part-time maintenance worker.

The Peralta Town Council voted on Wednesday to place an ad in newspaper classifieds for the two new positions after the personnel ordinance is voted on in December.

The receptionist would greet visitors, provide information, perform general office duties, make appointments, file, set up calendars, prepare the meeting agenda and collect the mail, among other duties.

The maintenance person would work with the county road department and help with maintenance on town property.

Mayor Bryan Olguin said he hopes that Peralta will be able to buy its own town hall by the first of the year rather than renting one and the worker would help with that.

Councilor Christian Garcia suggested that, when Peralta has its own paving person, he should fill potholes using the proper methods rather than just throwing in fill and driving over it with a truck.

Consultant John Lopez of Bosque Farms is working with town officials on writing a personnel ordinance, which, Olguin said, is being based on similar ordinances from other municipalities.

Councilor Joseph Romero suggested that, with the thought of hiring more personnel, town insurance policies should be reviewed.

"When we first incorporated, all we did was get liability for elected officials because we had really nothing else," said Councilor Nancy "Pug" Burge.

Olguin said that the policy was reviewed and revised when Town Clerk Fran Oquin was hired.

Burge also suggested that Peralta implement a background check for all new employees. Romero added that it would be a good idea to put in drug screening for any employees driving town-owned vehicles. Lopez, who was in the audience, said those subjects are addressed in the draft personnel ordinance

Meanwhile, Sgt. Andrew Owens of the Bosque Farms Police Department reported that, during October, police officers had issued 120 citations in Peralta, made seven arrests, charged two people with DWI, written 21 reports and responded to 94 calls for service.

Several "problem" streets where speeding is being reported are being monitored as closely as possible, Owen said, with many residents inviting officers to park in their driveways to watch the traffic.

When Burge asked if the Bosque Farms Village Council has commented on the arrangement to provide police service to Peralta, Owen said at first they were concerned that it might result in decreased service in Bosque Farms. "We've proven that's not going to happen," Owen said. "Our call volume is getting larger ... and we're getting more qualified officers in." He said the department is now fully staffed.

He asked that citizens call dispatch if they see suspicious behavior in their neighborhoods, such as a car parked at a home when its resident is out of town. "That's the best way you, as a community, can fight crime," Owen said.

"If it's nothing, who does it hurt?"

Olguin announced that Chuck Anderson had resigned from Peralta's newly formed public safety committee, but that Anderson wants to work on other related issues, such as helping set up Neighborhood Watch groups in town.

In a report on the Peralta Fire Department's activities, Firefighter Cody Dear reported that during October nine fire calls were responded to — three for mutual aid, two wildland fires, one auto accident and three public assists. The work amounted to 42 man-hours.

A written report from Peralta Municipal Court showed that $5,366 was taken in during October, including $4,628 in fines plus fees.

Burge asked that costs for the court be listed on the report.

She also asked that the council look into placing a town attorney on retainer, and Olguin said that is also in the works.

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