Mayor Peter Nieto took to Facebook to share updates and clarification on two key topics ahead of Tuesday’s Town Council meeting: mosquito control efforts and a recent grant award for turf improvements.
Nieto announced that mosquito spraying will not take place this summer due to high costs and poor timing.
He said it is too late in the season for the treatment to be effective and the expense cannot be justified. Instead, the town will begin planning and budgeting early for a mosquito control program next year.
“Unfortunately, due to current costs and timing, it is no longer feasible to move forward with spraying this summer,” Nieto said. “It’s simply too late in the season to be effective and the expense is not justifiable at this point.”
He emphasized that any future plans will prioritize community safety, especially for children and pets, while also considering the environmental impact.
“As someone who deeply values [pollinators’] role in our ecosystem, I would never support any action that would put them at risk,” Nieto said. “Any plan we consider will be approached with care, ensuring it is both effective for mosquito control and respectful of the environment.”
The mayor also announced that Mountainair has received a $17,600 Clean and Beautiful Act Grant to fund turf improvements at several key public sites.
These include the Dr. Saul Center, Police Department, The Meeting Place and the Roy Spencer Courthouse.
The total cost of the project is $21,207.47. Nieto said he will ask the council to approve a small additional amount to complete the improvements.
“This project will greatly enhance the appearance of our public facilities, creating a more professional and welcoming environment for our community,” he said. “I’m grateful for the support provided through the grant and confident that the council will see the value in moving this effort forward.”
The Mountainair Town Council meets the first and third Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Meeting Room, located at 107 1/2 N. Roosevelt.
Agenda requests must be submitted to Town Clerk Dennis Fulfer by the Thursday before a scheduled meeting.
Meeting documents are available on the town’s website, and recordings of past meetings can be viewed on the Mountainair LiveStream channel on YouTube.
