Timberon Water & Sanitation Board Meeting Recap – July 8, 2025
Unofficial Summary – For General Informational Purposes Only
The Timberon Water & Sanitation District (TWSD) held its regular board meeting on Tuesday, July 8 at the Lodge. All board members were present, and the meeting moved briskly through old and new business, with plenty of discussion around finances, water plant operations, and community concerns.
Water Report & Financial Snapshot
GM Wendy Case reported that Timberon produced 4.5 million gallons of water in June, with 1.4 million gallons sold. That leaves an estimated 60% water loss—still a key issue for the District. There are 11 pending meter installs, awaiting parts expected to arrive next week.
Treasurer JJ Duckett shared the latest bank balances, which show a solid starting point for the new fiscal year. He also flagged a past resolution that affects how the District handles annual fee reviews, prompting the board to table the item until more documentation can be reviewed.
“Where Did the Money Go?”
Chairman Cruey walked through a set of pie charts showing where District funds have been spent—think payroll, vendor bills, legal fees, and overdue invoices. A major legal debt of $126K to the Rodey Law Firm has now been paid off, thanks to Vice Chair Hardesty’s efforts negotiating a payment plan. Additional legal fees with the Truitt Law Firm totaled nearly $19K, with a chunk of that related to complaints filed by a resident.
Cruey wrapped up by emphasizing that the District is operating on a tight budget and trying to be as transparent as possible.
Water Plant Woes & Recovery Efforts
The board gave a detailed update on the water plant. A surprise inspection found the facility in poor condition, with several violations and missing compliance records. These documents must now be retrieved from the lab at a $50/hour research fee.
The new Level 4 operator is working hard to bring things back into compliance. He recently discovered that some surface water valves had been left open, potentially damaging the filtration membranes—an issue that could cost $14,000 to fix.
The good news? Staff are actively attending certification classes, and the state has approved having a Level 1 operator work under direct supervision while re-certifications are underway.
Also of note: the District didn’t know about six violations issued in June due to lost email access to the State portal. That’s now being addressed.
Looking Ahead
With help from NM Rural Water, the District is putting together a proactive plan to move forward. This includes prepping for the upcoming Sanitary Survey and continuing efforts to clean up and organize the water plant.
Standby Fee Liens
The board unanimously approved four property liens for delinquent Standby fees—each of them four years overdue.
Community Comments & Concerns
During the public comment session:
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Dumpster frustration: Audience member Jeffery Merrick raised concerns about the dumpsters being overwhelmed with unauthorized large items. He offered to help haul bulky waste, and Chairman Cruey said he’d donate use of a gooseneck trailer if someone could haul it.
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Road conditions: Still a sore spot, with no updates.
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Community cooperation: Don Wiklund gave a heartfelt thank-you to the board, saying he’s seen real progress and encouraging folks to work together, not against each other.
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Board authority questions: Annie asked whether Cruey and Hardesty had ever been formally authorized by board vote to manage day-to-day operations. This prompted a discussion about staff safety meetings and the general direction of the current administration.
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Community tensions: A comment from audience member Tricia about division in the community led to some heated exchanges, prompting Chairman Cruey to call for adjournment.
The meeting wrapped up at 5:16 PM.