Water usage reduced

Clovis residents reduced their water use by more than one million gallons in response to a water shortage warning from New Mexico American Water Co. this week, Clovis City Commissioner Randy Crowder said Thursday.

“Of course, the rain we got didn’t hurt any, but water use dropped before that,” he said at the commission’s regular meeting Thursday evening.

Crowder said New Mexico American Water personnel told him that between Monday and Tuesday night water use in the city was about 10.8 million gallons. After the warning came out Tuesday morning, water use dropped to 9.1 million gallons between Tuesday and Wednesday, and to 7.3 million between Wednesday and Thursday, he said.

In other business:

n The commission re-elected Ann Shuckman, Joe Urban, Carolyn Shipley and Julia Taylor to positions on the Clovis-Carver Library Board.

n It also approved the transfer of a liquor license from the Town and Country Food Store at 700 Thornton St. to the Town and Country Food Store at 2412 N. Prince St.

On the consent agenda, commissioners approved resolutions to allow the city Building Safety Department to condemn four buildings in the city and resolutions allowing the department to “secure,” or board up, four buildings.

Commissioner Isidro Garcia asked building safety department Director Pete Wilt why the city could not condemn, and tear down, the last four buildings. Wilt said their condition is too good and he has had inquiries about buying them.

Crowder said home construction has increased in the last year and urged that the city hire another building inspector and an electrical inspector.