The Grand Opening for our new gym will be March 2, 2024, from 12 until 2 PM, so mark your calendar. There will be food and activities at no charge. There will also be a free raffle to win a weekday pool party this summer. A band will play in the new gym and the various courts will be set up. We want you to see what your tax dollars, through the approved bonds, have allowed the administration to provide for the Village. You can get a sneak peek at the new building by viewing the latest video HERE. We are expecting this next round of bond funds will allow us to provide more to the community.
In talking to residents of the Village it has come to my attention that there is confusion about what a conservation easement is and whether the Village really buys the land. A conservation easement is:
- a voluntary legal agreement with a private landowner where the lands are protected in perpetuity.
- a payment to a property owner to purchase the development rights on the land.
- protects certain conservation values of the property (in this case farmland).
- provides tax benefits to the property owner.
- allows the property owner to maintain ownership and control of the property, including having the option to sell the property in the future. Future owners are still barred from building on the property.
A conservation easement is not:
- a land purchase by the Village.
- for use by the general public unless specific permission is granted by the property owner.
The administration would like to purchase some open land for the community to use, but it is not available at this time. Therefore, we would like to sell the two $1 million bonds for the fire substation and roads this spring, with the $2 million for open space sold sometime in 2026. The focus of the administration is on public health, safety, and welfare. That includes police protection, fire safety and prevention, sewers, roads, and storm water drainage. Secondary to that is providing benefits for the community: library, parks, pool, and athletic activities such as the new gym.
Climate change has resulted in fire season being year-round. Monitor the burn status at the main fire station. If you must burn, for whatever reason, call our fire department. Let them know and they will issue you a permit and tell you the best time to do so. Remember some of the worst fires in New Mexico were “controlled burns” by the Forest Service. Even some of the best can lose control of the situation if not adequately prepared. The Village is making good progress with our fire suppression plan, but the planning, design, and construction take time and money to get done. We have plans for an additional substation, with an estimated cost to construct of around $1 million, that will allow the positioning of equipment to facilitate fighting a fire and decrease the time it takes to get water to a fire. That bond sale needs to be approved by the council.
Another $1 million bond will provide funds for roads that can be used for matches to grants to leverage those funds so we can do more, getting a bigger bang for our tax dollars. Michael Chavez, our Public Works Director, did an excellent presentation for the council at the February 13thmeeting showing how he uses the bond funds. Check it out on the Village’s You Tube channel HERE. Many road improvements are planned and can be completed by the end of the year if the bond money is available for matching funds. Sereno, Reclining Acres, Coronado, and Meadowlark between Corrales Road and Loma Larga are roads slated for work if the funds are obtained. Other smaller projects would be enabled if this bond money is available. That bond sale needs to be approved by the council, and they will be discussing which projects to fund at our meeting coming up on Tuesday, February 27th at 6:30 PM. Let your councilor know what your priorities are. You can find his or her email address on the Village website. If you are not sure who your council member is, please call or email our clerk at 505-897-0502 or mromero [at] corrales-nm.org (mromero@corrales-nm.org).
Many of the roads in the Village are private and it is a struggle to discover records verifying their status. The Village cannot grade, cannot improve, nor maintain private roads. That falls to the homeowners.
Marian Frear, Library Director, has announced the library will launch two new streaming services on leap day – February 29th. Kanopy has a wide selection of movies, and Hoopla has ebooks, audiobooks, music and movies. You will need a library card to get access to these new features. For more information, please visit the library website.
HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATE
The latest CDC update for the week ending February 10, 2024, shows influenza-like illnesses are still very high in New Mexico. Please think about keeping others heathy, such as by staying home if you feel sick. If someone in your home is sick that means you have been exposed and could spread that illness to others. Masking can help prevent the spread. Remember most respiratory illnesses can be spread to others 24-48 hours before feeling symptoms. We should work together to keep our community healthy.
Did you know that more than 1 in 4 older adults have a fall each year? The CDC has a campaign to help us prevent falls called STEDI and Still Going Strong. Falls can lead to serious and long-term health issues. Falling should not be considered a normal part of aging. Preventing falls can help you stay independent and healthier. Watch theCDC information videos on Fall prevention.
Speak up. Stay active. Make Home Safer
- Tell your doctor if you have fallen, if you feel unsteady when standing or walking,
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review the medicines you are taking.
- Have an eye exam at least once a year.
- Have your doctor check your feet at least once a year and discuss proper footwear to reduce your risk of falling.
- Talk to your doctor about health conditions like depression, osteoporosis, or hypotension that can increase your risk of falling.
- Do exercises that make your legs stronger and improve your balance.
- Get rid of trip hazards like throw rugs and keep floors clutter free.
- Brighten your home with extra lighting or brighter light bulbs.
- Install grab bars in the bathroom(s)—next to the toilet and inside and outside of your bathtub or shower.
- Install handrails on both sides of staircases.
STEADI Home Safety Tour (youtube.com)
You can call the fire station if you have home safety questions or would like to schedule a time for them to meet with you - 505-898-7501.
UPCOMING EVENTS
TUESDAY Village Council Meeting 6:30 PM, in person at 4324 Corrales Road, or by Zoom (check the Village website under “Council Meeting Zoom link” to access the Zoom information)
WEDNESDAY Story Time at the Corrales Library 10 AM
THURSDAY Corrales Compadres hosts Sadie Hawkins Day Happy Hour Mixer 4 – 6 PM at Whiptail Eatery
Be safe, and don’t forget the grand opening of the new gym March 2nd. Obey the traffic signs, leash your dog when out walking in this wonderful weather, and scoop the poop. Remember, there is no Poop Fairy who picks it up.
Jim Fahey
Mayor of Corrales