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By John Hernandez
Among the business at the Dec. 20 Mammoth Town Council meeting was replacing a deceased councilmember and the purchase of real estate on Highway 77.
It was announced that the vacant council seat will be advertised with the posting of announcements in the post office and other public areas in Mammoth.
The Council also voted to adopt a resolution authorizing the purchase of real estate property. Town Attorney Stephen Cooper announced that the property at 337 Highway 77, the building next to Circle K where Las Michoacanas and Mi Tortilleria are located is in escrow and ready to close.
The property is being purchased from Randy Walker for $145,000.
Cooper also announced that the previous Town Clerk has served the Town with a lawsuit.
The Council voted to approve an amended resolution concerning job classifications and salaries. The resolution included the new pay rate for Library personnel, the abolishment of the Leadman position at Public Works and making two part time laborer positions full time.
Town Clerk Patsy Large said that one of the part time workers that would be moved to full time was the boyfriend of Mayor Barcelo’s daughter, but that this was not known when he was hired. Lare also said that Vice Mayor Wickham’s husband was not one of the part time workers and that the move would save Mammoth approximately $25,000 a year.
Mayor Barcelo and council member Juan Barcelo announced their conflict of interest regarding Mayor’s daughter and council member’s niece before voting on the issue.
The purchase or lease of a crack sealing machine was discussed. The machine’s cost would come out of highway usage funds and would cost $48,000 to purchase or $4,200 a month to rent. The council elected to rent the machine for one month to try it out, saying it could be a cost saving factor in the future rather than hiring a contractor to do the job.
Interim Police Chief Marty McIntosh was appointed as the Town of Mammoth Police Chief position. Council members said he has been active for 14 years and has been very dedicated trying to improve the image of the Mammoth Police Force.
He has a lot of public support and has been working with the senior citizens in town. Chief McIntosh’s wife Dulce pinned his new badge on him.
The meeting began with the call to the public The San Manuel Miner reporter asked the Council during the opening public comment period to respond to the rumor that two members of the Public Works Department had been fired to provide full time jobs for Mayor Barcelo’s daughter’s boyfriend and Vice-Mayor Wickham’s husband.
Mayor Barcelo responded that no one had been fired, that they had accepted the resignation of the Public Work’s leadman. A part time employee working one day a week was let go.
He also said that those people spreading rumors should attend the Town Council meetings to discuss the matter with the Council rather than spreading rumors.
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