THE VILLAGE OF TAOS SKI VALLEY

AMENDING ORDINANCE 97-23

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SECTION 1. CREATION OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

          There is created a department of the Village of Taos Ski Valley (hereinafter “Village”) to be known as the Village of Taos Ski Valley Fire Department (hereinafter “Fire Department”). The Fire Department will be a department of the Public Safety Department, under the authority of and reporting to the Public Safety Director.

SECTION 2. RECOGNITION OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

          The volunteer fire-fighting organization which is organized as the Taos Ski Valley Fire Prevention District under the Not-For-Profit Laws of the State of New Mexico is recognized and designated as provided by Section 3-18-11 NMSA 1978, as amended, as the existing fire department and a partially paid and volunteer Fire Department of the Village.

SECTION 3. FIRE DEPARTMENT DUTIES AND POWERS.

          The Fire Department shall have full and complete authority in connection with fighting any fire that may occur within the Village or outside the Village in the Taos Ski Valley Fire Prevention District or any other area the Department has or hereinafter acquires the responsibility to respond pursuant to ordinance, rule, regulation, statute or agreement. The Fire Department has the power to perform all acts necessary for the fighting of fires.

SECTION 4. APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF THE FIRE CHIEF.

          The Mayor, upon the recommendation of the Fire Department and with the approval of the Village Council, shall appoint the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief may be removed with the approval of the Village Council.

SECTION 5. COMPENSATION OF THE FIRE CHIEF.

          The Fire Chief may be compensated as an employee of the Village.

SECTION 6. OBSTRUCTING OR INTERFERING WITH FIREFIGHTERS.

          It is unlawful for any person to obstruct or interfere with firefighters in the discharge of the firefighters’ duties. Any violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $300.00 or by imprisonment for a term of not more than 90 days or both such fine and imprisonment.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this __10__ day of August, 2004.

Vote: For: __4___, Against: __0___.

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                                                                                      Neal King, Mayor

ATTEST:

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          Vanessa N. Chisholm, Clerk