CENTER — A thief police suspect has been stealing from residences over the past few months hit the town of Center for $4,800 in tools stolen from a town utility truck May 25 as it was parked at a private residence.

Officer Aaron Fresquez told the board Tuesday that the thief broke into the truck, an on-call vehicle, as it sat outside the residence of a town utility worker. The truck was not damaged.
Fresquez said police are not certain it is the same individual responsible for burglaries in the town but continue to investigate the thefts and have a suspect in mind. Town Administrator Brian Lujan asked residents to keep their eyes open and call the town at 754-3497 if they believe they are witnessing any suspicious activity.

Police chief candidates
The town of Center has decided to interview candidates for a new police chief rather than take the Saguache Sheriff’s Office up on an offer to contract with the town for police coverage. This week the town will interview four candidates for the position: Anthony Webb, Jay Harrison, Kim Jin and Dale Meeks. Interviews with each candidate will last about an hour.

Consaul property survey
The town continues to work on a comprehensive/master plan needed to move ahead with the Consaul property annexation. A survey done years ago by Davis Engineering was discovered recently and this will help streamline the process. Town Attorney Mike Trujillo told the board that Davis Engineering may need to complement the survey by creating a plat.
Lujan said the plan to develop the acreage will include new businesses, an industrial area, a commercial area and residences.

No paving this year
Utility director David Mahaffie told the board that the town will not be able to pave streets this year because of the water meter project that will require streets to be excavated for meter installation. The board agreed to notify the county they will be postponing the paving project until 2020 when the meter installation is complete.
Mahaffie also told the town that delinquent utility notices have dropped to 81 this spring from 131 during the winter months. Trustee Bill McClure suggested the town reverse its policy of notifying residents beforehand that their utilities will be shut off if they have consistently been delinquent.

Miscellaneous business
• The town read and adopted an ordinance approving all the details for its water meter loan through the Water Resource and Power Authority.
• The town approved a 15-year contract with Jade Communications as its Internet provider.
• The new baseball field has been leveled out and is looking much better.
• The town received a liquor license for its July 4th celebration and is moving forward with plans for a parade, vendors and bands in the downtown park and a fireworks display in the evening.