Chapter 2
Boards And Commissions


Article 1 Cemetery Board
Article 2 Water Advisory Board


ARTICLE 1
CEMETERY BOARD
(State Law: NMSA 3-40-1 et seq,. 1978 Comp.)


2-1-1 Title of Ordinance
2-1-2 Purpose of Ordinance
2-1-3 Capitan Cemetery Board Members
2-1-4 Cemetery Board - Powers and Duties
2-1-5 Cemetery - Rules and Regulations
2-1-6 Penalties for Violation
2-1-7 Transfer of Other Cemeteries to the Cemetery Board
2-1-8 Deeds to Burial Lots


2-1-1 TITLE OF ORDINANCE

This Ordinance shall be known as the Cemetery Ordinance. [Ord. 93-17, replacing former Ord. 91-4]

2-1-2 PURPOSE OF ORDINANCE:

This Ordinance is enacted for the following purposes and intent:

A. To effect and accomplish the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of a municipal cemetery that represents and reflects the Village's cultural and social history;

B. To safeguard the Village's cemetery by a regular system of upkeep; and

C. To foster civic pride in the beauty and remembrance of the deceased residents of the Village of Capitan. [Ord. 93-17, replacing former Ord. 91-4]

2-1-3 CAPITAN CEMETERY BOARD:

A. Creation: There shall be and hereby is established a Capitan Cemetery Board to administer the provisions of this Article, hereinafter called the "Board".

B. Members: The Board shall consist of five members appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Board of Trustees. The members shall serve for a term of two years, without compensation, and shall qualify for Board membership by taking an Oath of Office to faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the Office.

C. Organization: The Board shall meet within thirty days after their appointment and organize by the election of one of its members as chairman. The Board shall also elect one of its members as vice-chairman, and one as secretary, each of whom shall serve for one calendar year succeeding his/her election. The Board shall adopt regulations governing the time and place of its meetings, shall notify the Board of Trustees of the time and place of its meetings, and shall post notice of its meetings in a conspicuous place. All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with open meeting requirements.

D. Removal of Board Members - Filling Vacancies: The Board of Trustees may remove a member of the Cemetery Board for cause and shall fill any vacancy as stated in paragraph (B). Removal will be automatic when the member does not attend, without adequate reason, three (3) consecutive meetings. Such member shall be notified in writing of his/her removal. Thereafter, the Board of Trustees will be notified of the vacancy and requested to make a successor appointment.

E. Cemetery Board - Duties of Municipal Clerk and/or Deputy Clerk: The Municipal Clerk and/or the Deputy Clerk shall serve as Clerk/Treasurer of the Board without additional compensation and must post all notices of meetings. [Ord. 93-17, replacing former Ord. 91-4]

2-1-4 CEMETERY BOARD - POWERS AND DUTIES:

The Board shall be responsible for the cemetery belonging to the municipality; and the management of the cemetery; recommend rules and regulations for the operation, management, care and custody of the cemetery; and may employ a sexton and other employees necessary for the care, maintenance, and beautification of the cemetery; and prescribe the manner and place of burials.

A. Chairman: The Chairman shall conduct meetings; request placement on the Board of Trustees' Agenda and appear before the Trustees with recommendations.

B. Vice-Chairman: The Vice-Chairman shall perform the duties of the Chairman in his/her absence.

C. Secretary: The Secretary shall take the Official Minutes of all meetings and give them to the Clerk/Deputy Clerk for incorporation in the Village records. He/she shall prepare and answer necessary correspondence which then becomes part of the Village record.

D. In accordance with the New Mexico Procurement Code, any purchase or employment exceeding Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00), but less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), must have three written proposals or telephone quotes, approved by the Board, and presented to the Board of Trustees for final approval. [93-17, replacing former Ord. 91-4]

2-1-5 CEMETERY - RULES AND REGULATIONS:

The following rules and regulations are enacted for the perpetual care of the Cemetery:

A. Village Hall must be notified when any work is planned on gravesite. Notification is not required for clean-up or placing of flowers.

B. If a plot is to be marked by a stone, flat tombstones are preferred in Section I and are REQUIRED in Section II.

C. For ease in mowing or other work by the Village or a private contractor, the Cemetery Board requests no obstacles be placed on or around gravesites in Section I. Any obstacles, such as fences, curbing, etc. MUST be approved by the Cemetery Board. If not approved, obstacle will be removed by the Cemetery Board. NO OBSTACLES OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED IN SECTION II.

D. Wilted flowers, flower stands, etc. must be disposed of ten days after the burial or the Cemetery Board will remove them.

E. When plastic flowers become unsightly, and if they are not disposed of by family or friends, the Cemetery Board will remove them.

F. Only APPROVED permanent plants requiring little water are allowed in Section I and no permanent plants are allowed in Section II. Unapproved plants will be removed by the Cemetery Board.

G. A Memorial Board is in the cemetery for installation of a plaque for a loved one buried in the cemetery. Plaques must be obtained through the Village Hall. An additional fee is charged if tree identification is included on the plaque.

H. A memorial tree may be purchased (an acceptable tree) and planted along the inside perimeter of the fence upon approval by the Board. A standard brass 3" x 5" plaque may be used for identification on the Memorial Board.

I. The Cemetery Board reserves the right to do any maintenance work necessary to keep the Cemetery in proper condition.

J. Only human remains may be buried in the Capitan Cemetery.

K. Due to maintenance requirements, the Cemetery Board does not allow crypts or other above ground receptacles in either section of the cemetery. [93-17, replacing former Ord. 91-4]

2-1-6 PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION, NMSA 3-17-1:

Penalties for the violation of the rules and regulations of this Article shall be in accordance with applicable State Law NMSA 3-17-1. [Ord. 93-17, replacing former Ord. 91-4]

2-1-7 TRANSFER OF OTHER CEMETERIES TO THE BOARD:

A. Subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees of Capitan, the Cemetery Board may accept any cemetery within or adjacent to the municipality, from any person, corporation, or organization owning, controlling, or maintaining the cemetery.

B. Any cemetery accepted by the Board, as provided in this Section, shall become a part of the Village of Capitan and shall be governed as any other municipal cemetery is governed. [Ord. 93-17, replacing former Ord. 91-4]

2-1-8 BURIAL PLOTS:

A. Cemetery plots are purchased from the Village of Capitan for a fee of two hundred ($200.00) dollars per plot.

B. A plot(s) may be reserved for three years for a fee of fifty ($50.00) dollars for each gravesite. By the end of three years the plot(s) must be paid in full, the reservation renewed, or the reservation will be canceled. Reservation fees are non-refundable. The reservation fee is applied to the purchased price. Reserved plots are recorded on the cemetery map.

C. No more than two (2) internments per plot.

D. The Board will reserve certain areas within the cemetery consisting of half lots for the internment of cremation urns. The cost of said plots will be one-half the cost of full size plots.

E. A fee of two hundred ($200.00) dollars is charged for opening and closing the gravesite by the Village. If, by religion or tradition, a family prefers to close the grave, reduction is made in the closing fee.

F. A fee of five ($5.00) dollars is charged for each plot deed.

G. All fees are determined by the Capitan Board of Trustees. [Ord. 97-4, amending Ord. 93-17, which replaced former Ord. 91-4]

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ARTICLE 2

WATER ADVISORY BOARD


2-2-1 Title
2-2-2 Purpose
2-2-3 Authority and Jurisdiction
2-2-4 Composition and Organization
2-2-5 Duties
2-2-6 Responsibility of Board of Trustees with Regard to the Water Board
2-2-7 Interpretation and Conflicts
2-2-8 Severability


2-2-1 TITLE:

This ordinance shall be known as the "Capitan Water Advisory Board Ordinance", except as referred to and cited herein where it shall be known as "this Ordinance". The Capitan Water Advisory Board shall hereinafter be referred to as the "Water Board". [Ord. 94-4]

2-2-2 PURPOSE:

The duties and responsibilities of the Water Board hereinafter provided are intended to establish the nature, quantity and quality of water necessary to meet the needs of the existing citizenry of the Village of Capitan and such future needs as can be reasonably projected as necessary for the orderly growth and economic development of the community. [Ord. 94-4]

2-2-3 AUTHORITY AND JURISDICTION:

This ordinance is enacted for the purpose of establishing and carrying into effect the powers, duties, and responsibilities conferred upon the Water Board, including such future responsibilities as the Board of Trustees of the Village of Capitan may deem appropriate and necessary for the health, welfare and safety of the community. [Ord. 94-4]

2-2-4 COMPOSITION AND ORGANIZATION:

A. Composition

The Water Board is established to carry out the duties set forth otherwise in this Ordinance. The Water Board shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Board of Trustees. The members shall be residents or property owners of the Village of Capitan. In making the appointments to the Water Board, the Mayor and Board of Trustees shall give consideration to maintaining the balance of interests and skills of the Water Board, and to the individual qualifications of the candidates, including their interest, experience and knowledge in water issues.

B. Terms

The term of each member of the Water Board shall be for two (2) years. In the event a vacancy occurs on said Water Board prior to the expiration of the term of a member, it shall be filled within sixty (60) days by appointment as hereinabove provided of a member whose term shall expire at the end of the original term in which said vacancy occurred.

C. Removal

Removal of a Water Board member shall only be by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees unless the member has failed the attendance requirement set forth below, in which case removal is automatic. If a member fails to meet the attendance requirement, the Mayor and the Board of Trustees will be notified immediately thereafter by formal request to appoint a new member to that position.

D. Compensation

The members of the Water Board shall serve without compensation, but shall receive mileage and per diem when required to travel outside of Lincoln County.

E. Officers

Officers of the Water Board shall consist of at least the chairperson, vice-chairperson and secretary elected by the Water Board. Each shall serve for one (1) year and be eligible for re-election.

F. Meetings

The Water Board shall meet at a reasonable and regular time and place fixed by the Water Board. All meetings shall be open to the public. The Water Board shall keep minutes and records of all meetings and proceedings including motions, voting records, attendance, resolutions, findings, determination, and decisions. All such material shall be public record. A copy shall be on file for public inspection at Capitan Village Hall.

Notices of meetings shall be posted at five (5) places, including Village Hall. Notices will be posted seventy-two (72) hours prior to a regular meeting. Such notices shall include an Agenda for the meeting to be held. Notices will be posted twenty-four (24) hours prior to a special meeting and twelve (12) hours prior to an emergency meeting.

G. Attendance Requirement for Water Board Members

Any member of the Water Board who misses three (3) consecutive regular meetings is automatically removed from the Water Board. Members can apply to the Board of Trustees for continuation on the Water Board upon a demonstrated showing of extenuating circumstances.

H. Voting

A majority of three (3) members shall constitute a quorum, and any action taken shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of those present. Water Board members are required to abstain from voting on any action in which their financial interest or business interests or those of their immediate families are directly involved.

I. Legal Counsel.

The Village Attorney or his designated representative shall be the legal advisor for the Water Board. [Ord. 94-4]

2-2-5 DUTIES:

A. The Water Board shall have such power as is necessary to:

1. Fulfill and perform its functions;

2. Make long range water planning recommendations to the Village Board of Trustees; and

3. Carry out such other purposes as are reasonably necessary to accomplish the responsibilities set forth in this Ordinance.

B. The Water Board shall adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its business, together with procedures for compliance with the rules and regulations. The rules and regulations shall be submitted to the Board of Trustees for their approval.

C. The Water Board shall make reports and recommendations regarding the acquisition of additional water capacity and recommendations regarding requests for additional water taps in the municipality to the Board of Trustees.

D. Members of the Water Board in performance of its functions may:

1. Examine the official records of the Village of Capitan;

2. Meet with Village employees regarding additional water capacity, transmission lines, and connections.

E. The Water Board shall:

1. Conduct a study to determine the current capacity of the water resources owned by the Village of Capitan.

2. Based on current capacity, make reasonable projections regarding the anticipated need of the Village.

3. Advise the Board of Trustees on the most appropriate means to obtain additional capacity, including acquisition of new water rights, storage facilities and pumping facilities. 

F. The Water Board shall review all requests for annexation to the Village which include a request for water service, and independently of the Planning and Zoning Board's recommendation, make its recommendation to the Board of Trustees. [Ord. 94-4]

2-2-6 RESPONSIBILITY OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES WITH REGARD TO THE WATER BOARD:

The Board of Trustees being duly elected shall:

A. Receive recommendations on acquisition of new water production or storage facilities and make determinations upon same in terms of budget and other financial commitments of the Village.

B. Request additional information as necessary from the Water Board regarding an adverse recommendation to an annexation petition which would require commitment of additional water resources of the Village. [Ord. 94-4]

2-2-7 INTERPRETATION AND CONFLICTS:

It is not intended by this Ordinance to interfere with or abrogate or annul any other ordinance, rules, regulations, or permits previously adopted or issues, or such rules and regulations contemplated in any other zoning or regulatory ordinance of the Village. [Ord. 94-4]

2-2-8 SEVERABILITY:

If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase or part hereof is for any reason declared unconstitutional or invalid, the validity of the remaining portions hereof shall not be effected since it is the express intent of the Village of Capitan to pass each section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase and every part thereof separately and independently of every other part. [Ord. 94-4] 

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