TIMBERON DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting Held February 13, 2010

IN ATTENDANCE:

Everett Putney		Fran Trendler		Kent Huisingh		Jane Huisingh		
Rick Merrick		Gwen Adams 		B.F. Adams 		Frank Hodnett
Judy Hodnett		Cal Tyler		Mary Tyler		Linda Lea		
Burt Rubinowitz		Shirley Holstrom	John Howell		Jackie Fioretti		

The meeting was called to order by President Everett Putney at 10:00 AM.  The Pledge of 
Allegiance was given by all and a prayer was given by Frank Hodnett.  Everett asked if anyone 
wanted the minutes read from the last meeting.  Jackie Fioretti gave a correction to the minutes.  
Bills on last month’s minutes should have read January in the amount of $802.80 and Huisingh 
was misspelled.  A motion was made by Frank Hodnett to accept the minutes as corrected, it was 
seconded by B. F. Adams. The minutes were approved.

A Treasurer’s report was given by Fran Trendler.  A motion was made by Frank Hodnett and 
seconded by Gwen Adams to accept the report as given.  Motion approved. 

Bills for February totaled $785.00.  Judy Hodnett made a motion to pay our bills and Jane 
Huisingh seconded it.  Motion approved.  Jackie Fioretti advised a letter should be sent to TWSD 
along with the deposit reserving the Lodge for our “Western Days” activities on July 3rd.  Fran 
Trendler will send the letter with the check. 

Old Business:

Rick Merrick gave a report on our second Timberon Business Meeting held January 13, 2010 at 
the Timberon Development Council Office.  The largest problem identified was communication.  
If someone comes to town looking for lodging and those that have rentals are out of town several 
of the businesses stated they don’t know who to call for lodging.  It is the Timberon 
Development Council’s intent to support the businesses in Timberon and help where needed.  
The next Timberon Business meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the TDC 
office.  It was mentioned that the yellow page for all businesses in Timberon is posted on the 
bulletin board and is updated by Judy Underwood.  There was discussion about Judy doing a bio 
on the web for artists.  The first three months would be free and there would be a monthly or 
annual fee after that.  We are interested in promoting our artists.  Everett Putney advised Tammy 
Bean suggested if an artist would like to put on a training class to advertise it in the nearby 
communities to increase attendance.      

The New Mexico WUI, Wildland Urban Interface, Summit was attended by Rick Merrick on 
January 12th and 13th, 2010.  The meeting was very informative and Rick was a guest speaker on
the Timberon Fire we had last year.  He spoke about the need for cutting trees on our properties 
and said he learned it takes a 501C grass root effort to make wild fire risk reduction work in our 
communities.  He also mentioned it is a good idea to take pictures of items in your home in case 
of fire.

Rick Merrick attended the TWSD, Timberon Water and Sanitation District, meeting to address 
the changes TWSD Board of Directors wanted prior to signing support of the TDC Community 
Action Plan Update.  Changes were submitted to TDC for approval.  Rick read the changes TDC 
has agreed upon and will ask for the item to be placed on the agenda for the next TWSD 
meeting.  A motion was made by Linda Lee to accept the language for pages 10 & 12 as agreed 
upon by TDC and make the changes in the Community Action Plan.  The motion was seconded 
by Fran Trendler and it was approved.  Fran Trendler will give the changes to Judy Underwood.

Everett Putney gave a report that Timberon was approved as a Colonia by Otero County in a 
letter dated in 1989.  As a Colonia there are opportunities for grant money for Timberon.  Frank 
Hodnett expressed his concern that TWSD doesn’t have the money to repair roads and other 
things can’t be properly taken care of and why couldn’t TDC request funds to do this.  The 
Timberon Development Council, Inc. is not responsible for water and roads in Timberon but 
supports TWSD in their efforts to do what they need to do.  The biggest problem is there is not a 
grant writer in either organization.  It was mentioned Betty Arnold has volunteered to write 
grants but she is off the mountain at the present time.  

Burt Rubinowitz gave an update on cell phone service in Timberon.  Dell Telephone Board of 
Directors has met with ENMR Plateau.  ENMR Plateau is waiting for the cost of the T1 line 
required from Dell Telephone to Carlsbad.  Negotiations are continuing between the two 
companies.  It was mentioned that businesses will not hold retreats in Timberon and the 
surrounding area because of lack of cell phone service in the area.  Linda Lea and Jane Huisingh 
agreed to compose a letter to Denny Bergstrom for Everett’s signature.

Property for sale by the Timberon Development Council, Inc. is listed on the website.  Jackie 
Fioretti will give Judy Underwood a list to make sure all are listed.  The contract for Robert’s 
Realty to sell the property on Sacramento has expired.  Burt Rubinowitz made a motion to renew 
the contract with Robert’s Realty.  Fran Trendler seconded the motion and it was approved.  

Jane Huisingh gave a “Western Day” on July 3rd report.  Fran Trendler volunteered to be in 
charge of the raffle table.  Help is needed to man the TDC booth and raffle booth.  Jane needs a 
co-chairman as she will be away for a couple of months.  The committees are broken up into 
smaller groups with fewer responsibilities this year.  Pies are needed for the contest.  A nice gift 
from Lowe’s Home Improvement will be given as first prize.  Coffee cans for the raffle are 
needed.  We will encourage everyone to dress in period for “Western Day”.

A medical clinic in Timberon was discussed in previous meetings.  A letter will be written to 
Gayle, Nurse Practitioner in Cloudcroft that we are still interested in this project.  The cookbook 
discussed at previous meetings is a dead issue.  		

New Business:

Everett Putney thanked Stella Griffith and Kent Huisingh for auditing last years books for the 
Timberon Development Council.  Kent reported there were receipts for bills paid and the books 
were in order for 2009.  Jackie Fioretti will put the data in books to give to the CPA to prepare 
our Federal Taxes.

Rick Merrick reported there is a $20,000.00 grant from BLM, Bureau of Land Management, for 
the Timberon Volunteer Fire Department to submit by March 01, 2010.  The grant would 
provide a SIM Table for education, training and community outreach.  You can learn more about 
this project by going to simstable.com on the internet.  Jane Huisingh made a motion for the 
Timberon Development Council, Inc. to give a letter of support to the Timberon Volunteer Fire 
Department for this grant.  Frank Hodnett seconded the motion and it was approved.  

The cost of a “Western Day” brochure was discussed.  The brochure that Donna Millar donated 
to the council cost about 48 cents each.  Jackie Fioretti advised she would check to see what it 
would cost to print a color brochure on her printer.  

Rick Merrick advised Jackie Fioretti put together the expenses for the last three years in order to 
produce a TDC Budget.  A “Cabin Fever Pot Luck” was also discussed for this spring.  

Jane Huisingh made a motion to adjourn and Gwen Adams seconded the motion.  The motion 
was approved and the meeting adjourned approximately 11:55 am. Our next meeting will be 
March 13, 2010 at 10:00 at the TDC office.  These are open meetings and the community is 
invited to attend.

Respectively submitted,
Jackie Fioretti, Secretary