By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton City Commissioners met Tuesday evening June 24, 2025, for their second regular meeting of the month to listen to reports about Youth Heartline and New Hope Family counseling as well as dealing with agreements and bid awards.
Danielle Archuleta and Feliz Medina gave a presentation explaining what has happened over the last year with New Hope Family Counselling and Youth Heartline and what the groups are looking forward to this coming school year. The program under Youth Heartline is in its second year in Raton and is designed to help kids’ 4thgrade through 8th grade. New Hope deals with a wider age group and is there to help with kids that have gotten into trouble or simply having issues dealing with life.
Commissioners approved a grant agreement with New Mexico Children Youth and Families for the Learning Lab, which is run by New Hope Family Counselling, LLC. New Hope Family Counselling, LLC. is the subcontractor for the JJAC program and for the Learning Lab. The state has added $59,400 for a total of $118,900 for this year’s program.
The commissioners then approved the subcontract with Youth Heartline for the direct youth services and New Hope Family Counselling, LLC. for the Restorative Justice Servies. The City of Raton is the Fiscal Agent for the grants received from CYFD for these programs. The programs are associated with the schools and help keep children in school or counsel students with mental issues and coping with life.
Commissioners heard from City Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci about the May 2025 Financial Report which continues to see good news with increased gross receipts of .56% however dwindling gas taxes continue to trouble the city. Antonucci is in contact with New Mexico Taxation and Revenue to see if there might be another problem that is causing the drop in gas tax.
The commission held a public hearing once again for the Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan for FY27-FY31. The plan is a necessary item that is used to show legislators that Raton has a plan for the funding requests. The big-ticket item is work on the Lake Maloya Dam followed by drainage and storm drain work. The Raton Depot was third on the list followed by the Raton Animal Shelter and Solid Waste equipment. It was noted that this is a living document and will see changes over the year.
Commissioners heard from Jason Phillips about the solid waste tipping fees noting an increase to $33.28 a ton. They also approved Arthur Roll Off to transport Raton’s solid waste to the regional landfill near Wagon Mound at a cost of $260 a load.
Commissioners heard about a service agreement and fee proposal from Chinook Landscape Architecture for the Climax Canyon Old Pass Trail project. This contract supports improvements to outdoor recreational areas, enhancing trail access and community use. The total cost of the work is just over $78,000.
Resolution 2025-42 sets up participation in the local government road fund program administered by the New Mexico Department of Transportation. The funding will go to the purchase of gravel and other items for general street and alley maintenance. NMDOT share is $64,570 with the city providing $21,523.
Commissioners approved the Lodger’s Tax recommendation for advertising on KRTN Radio for $8313.15 to cover 2811 radio ads and website ads and Facebook promotions.
The MOU with Raton Elks Softball league was approved and outlines the shared responsibilities regarding field usage, maintenance and support for the recreational benefits of residents. With the approval of the MOU, league play will begin soon.
Commissioners approved the FY26 E911 grant agreement for Project #26-E-10. The agreement supports the enhancements of the emergency communications systems including upgrades to the dispatch and call center. The upgrades will not exceed $478,098.
In the City Manager’s report Mestas noted the city is in full swing with work at the ball fields and preparations for the July 4th festivities. Mestas gave a shout out to Raton Fire for responding to a smoke scare at the Public Library on Friday. They were able to quickly assess the situation and minimize the threat. He noted the Fire Department is recruiting for four firemen and the Police Department is looking for three new officers.
The next regular meeting will be on July 8th at 6:00 p.m. in the commission chambers at City Hall.
Link to the Fireworks Safety Awareness Proclamation
Proclamation
Fireworks Safety Awareness Days
June 20-July 6,2025
Whereas, the National lntegrated Drought lnformation System indicates that 99.96% of Colfax County is currently in drought conditions with 48.06% in severe drought; and
Whereas, in April 2025 the North American Seasonal Fire Assessment noted that, Above normal significant fire potential is forecast from southeast Arizona into southern and eastern New Mexico into much of the southwestern US by June”; and
Whereas, public lands and private facilities in Northeastern New Mexico often enact seasonal fire restrictions and often prohibit fireworks due to their ability to start a wildfire; and
Whereas, some populations such as Veterans are sensitive to the noise of fireworks; and
Whereas, the Raton Humane Society has urged the Raton City Commission to consider the noise impact and traumatization of domestic animals and pets and expressed dismay that the private use of fireworks, many of which are illegal, has often continued far beyond the allowable “season”; and
Whereas, the City of Raton Ordinance 130.161 states that the ignition of chasers and firecrackers are prohibited except for the period between June 20 and July 6 of each year, only between the hours of 9:00am and 10:00pm during the allowable period. Exceptions may be granted only by written permit from the City Manager; and
Whereas, the City of Raton Ordinance 130.161 Prohibited Fireworks section states that the following fireworks are prohibited at all times within the City of Raton: Aerial spinners, Helicopters, Mines, Missile-type rockets, Roman candles, Shells, and Stick-type rockets; and
Whereas, the City of Raton Ordinance 130.160 lists permissible fireworks as: cone fountains, crackling devices, cylindrical fountains, fitter sparklers, ground spinners, illuminating torches, and toy smoke devices and wheels; and
Whereas, the City of Raton Ordinance 130.158 states that “no person shall ignite any fireworks with a motor vehicle or throw fireworks from a motor vehicle, nor shall any person place or throw any ignited article of fireworks into or at a motor vehicle or at or near any person or group of people.” And “no person shall discharge any fireworks within 100 feet of combustible vegetation.”
NOW, THEREFORE BE lT RESOLVED, that l, James Neil Segotta, Jr., Mayor of the City of Raton, New Mexico do hereby proclaim June 20July 6, 2025 as
**Fireworks Safety Awareness Days
**
And urge our citizens to only purchase legal fireworks, be cautious with their use of fireworks for fire safety and prevention, and to be courteous to neighbors and fellow citizens by following city ordinance.
