Willard Residents Can Expect An Increase in their Trash Bill

Willard’s village council met on July 8, 2024. The council addressed issues related to the village’s septic system, village audits, solid waste rates increasing, and updates concerning EMW Gas. The updates concerning EMW pertained to how the utility might lease its current headquarters to the Estancia Police Department when it moves to its new headquarters in Moriarty.

Village clerk Cassandra Garcia reported that Willard’s septic service provider would begin conducting septic pumping for the village, beginning with those residents that have gone the longest without pumping.

Garcia advised that Willard’s accountant was impacted by the wildfire and flooding in the vicinity of Ruidoso, and for that reason had not started on Willard’s FY 2020 or FY 2021 audits. Garcia said that the village had notified New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).

Garcia notified the village council that trash rates would be increasing per Willard’s contract with Universal Waste Services. Garcia said that the rate would increase by 8.9%. The village council also decided to stop allowing dumping at a site in Willard used by a small number of village residents for natural waste (wood, leaves, and clippings).

While the village council was scheduled to go into executive session, they declined to do so. The next meeting of the village council is a special meeting scheduled for July 29, 2024 at 5:30 PM.