By Roger Lanse

At the Nov. 26, 2019, Silver City Town Meeting, Lane Porter, Boy Scouts of America, Troop 110, described a project he completed with the help of 25 volunteers and city employees. The project was building a retaining wall, of concrete block donated by Southwest Concrete and Paving Inc., along the Big Ditch between Kelly and Market streets, complete with periwinkle plantings. The wall will prevent erosive soil movement onto a sidewalk. Porter said completion of the project met one of the requirements necessary to earn the highest Scout ranking of Eagle. From viewing the slides Porter presented, it appeared the wall was about 50 feet in length and approximately three feet high.

Porter also stated that by digging a two and one-half foot deep hole and filling it with concrete, “I prepared a spot behind the police station to put a park bench so that people would be able to sit and enjoy the views down by the ditch.” Porter plans to install the bench once the concrete cures.

Gary Stailey reported that about 10 young people and about 10 adults worked on the Boston Hills trail system last Saturday, Nov. 16. He told council that a little more than one mile of trail was improved so that hikers, runners, and mountain bikers would find it user-friendly. He predicted within five years, with continued improvement to the trails along with town commitment, Boston Hill trails should see a “tremendous increase in usage there, not only from local people but from visitors coming into town.” New signage will be going up, Stailey said, “in conjunction with another Eagle Scout project.”

District 1 Councilor Cynthia Bettison said that District 1’s Territorial Charter Workday on Sat. Nov. 16, at 23rd and Yucca streets, went well. She mentioned the Silver High School Woodshop, Gary Stailey and the kids, Silver City Police Chief Freddie Portillo, Assistant Town Manager James Marshall, and others, as lending a hand to complete the project aimed at reducing speed in the intersection. Bettison said residents reported, and she witnessed, drivers were slowing down after completion of the project.

Mayor Ken Ladner stated the town received a card praising a city employee named Dominick for his commitment and going the extra mile to keep the San Vicente Creek trail system clean and free of trash. According to the card-writer, the employee said much of the trash comes from homeless people camping along the creek.

Council approved a special dispenser permit and waiver for alcohol service near a church for the Society of Mining Engineers annual Christmas party on Dec. 14, at the Murray Hotel, with alcohol service from 4-11 p.m.

Council also approved two zoning changes; one involving 33.025 acres owned by Vista de Plata Subdivision, for which the Town of Silver City is requesting a change from a Residential B and Industrial Zoning District to Residential B-1; and a second involving .303 acres, for which the owner, Philipp Merillat, is requesting a change from Residential B Zoning District to Mixed Use Zoning District.

District 3 Councilor Jose Ray Jr. reminded residents to bring their pets inside as the weather is turning cold.

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