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Councilman Joe Brewer brought up the issue of nepotism at the council meeting on Oct. 18. Mayor Alvaro Barcelo admitted that his daughter is working for the Town ofMammothin an office position but that he was not involved in the hiring process and did not attempt to influence her hire.
Town Clerk Patsy Large said that she hired his daughter because she was the best candidate and that the mayor did not attempt to pressure her in anyway. She also said that the mayor’s daughter had volunteered at the office and worked well.
The job opening was posted and policy was followed. The Town attorney said there was no nepotism involved unless the mayor hired her, was involved in the hiring process or attempted to use undue pressure for someone else to hire her.
Joe Brewer pointed out that the people who had complained about the nepotism did not show up for the meeting.
Brewer requested that the Council stop requiring people of Mammoth to have to purchase burial vaults at the cemetery. He said it was added funeral cost that could be a hardship for some people.
Other council members pointed out that Mammoth had some of the cheapest burial rates in the state and that vaults were used to keep the ground from collapsing and breaking the coffin.
Brewer also asked if people living across the river could be buried in the Mammoth cemetery. He said many people living there had ties to Mammoth.
The Town Clerk said that the people of Mammoth pay taxes, which pay for services including maintaining the cemetery and they have to be considered first. No action was taken by the council as the motion was not seconded by any other council member.
The council approved the purchase of ten analog radios for use by public works. Radios cost $3,875.00 fromCanyonState.
The lease or purchase of a backhoe was discussed. A new back hoe could cost as much as $80,000. Options and purchase costs are being looked into by David Garcia.
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