Carrizozo trustees confirm town officers, raise P&Z fee and approve Little League lights

CARRIZOZO, N.M. — The Town of Carrizozo Board of Trustees on Jan. 20 confirmed a slate of municipal appointments, elected a mayor pro‑tem and approved a series of routine administrative and land‑use items during its organizational meeting.

Mayor Robert E. Hemphill opened the meeting, led the Pledge of Allegiance and recorded those present. On a motion by Trustee Mital Bhakta, seconded by Trustee Sissy Griego, the board confirmed Leann Weihbrecht as town clerk/treasurer, William Griffin as town attorney and Diron Hill as chief of police; the motion carried on a roll call vote with all trustees voting aye.

The board elected Trustee Jesse Samora as mayor pro‑tem after a motion from Trustee Bhakta and a second from Trustee Simon Beltran; that motion also passed unanimously.

The trustees adopted two resolutions during the meeting. Resolution No. R2026‑01 establishes the town holiday schedule and Resolution No. R2026‑02 affirms the town’s open‑meetings procedures; both were approved on unanimous roll call votes.

Trustees also handled several Planning & Zoning requests in a single consent‑style series of motions. The board approved a shed permit for Sonia Padilla, a garage and fence for Victor Najera and the placement of a site‑built home for Michael Fernandez. The trustees voted to raise the Planning & Zoning application fee from $25 to $50.

Other routine approvals included business registrations, livestock permits and a support letter for the Bureau of Land Management. The board approved the monthly financial report and monthly expenditures on unanimous roll calls.

On a motion by Trustee Sissy Griego, seconded by Trustee Bhakta, the board approved an expenditure exceeding the town’s $10,000 limit to install lights at the Little League field; the vote was unanimous. The meeting record does not specify the total contract amount beyond noting it exceeded $10,000.

During the public comment period, residents and community representatives gave brief updates: Warren Malkerson announced a Photo of the Year presentation and gallery weekend scheduled for Jan. 31, 2026; a Howard reported that an FFA Judging Event will be held Feb. 21, 2026; a person named Mark asked about vacant properties in town; and Rob Taylor, identified as a councilor for Ruidoso Downs, relayed a request from Mayor Scott for more intercommunity participation. The transcript records both “Mr. Howard” and a separate “Ms. Howard” speaking on different items; their roles were not specified in the meeting record.

The board went into executive session at 7:35 p.m. under Section 10‑15‑1(H)(2) for limited personnel matters and returned to open session at 7:53 p.m.; Trustee Simon Beltran attested that the session covered only the stated topic. The meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Appointments — Leann Weihbrecht (Clerk/Treasurer), Diron Hill (Chief of Police), William Griffin (Town Attorney): motion carried (roll call all aye). Mayor Pro‑tem — Jesse Samora: motion carried (all aye). Resolutions — R2026‑01 (Holiday Schedule) and R2026‑02 (Open Meetings): both adopted (all aye). Planning & Zoning approvals — Padilla shed; Najera garage/fence; Fernandez site‑built home: each approved (all aye). Planning & Zoning fee increase from $25 to $50: approved (all aye). Approval of expenditure over $10,000 for Little League lights: approved (all aye). Monthly financial report and monthly expenditures: approved (all aye).

The Board signed official documents at the close of the meeting. No letters to the mayor were reported at this time.