The idea of increasing density in the village has been addressed in the past. A proposal was made to the village council regarding constructing some senior housing in the commercial core of the Village and connecting those structures to the existing sewer line. This was a well-considered idea and deserves some additional discussion. How many people presently living in the Village want to move to smaller homes and lots? If approved, should these structures only be in the commercial area, or should we define specific areas where they can be built to cause less impact on surrounding residential areas? So, how do we address the density issue? Keeping larger lots will allow residents to continue using septic tanks and also leave more acreage available for farming due to less residential development.
A centralized sewer system would provide greater protection for our groundwater regardless of lot sizes or functioning leach fields. It would remove contaminants from the village and therefore decrease the “load” on the soil. Certain types of soil in the village do a poor job of breaking down the contaminants. Our land use ordinances protect our lot sizes and control development. There are already areas in the village that have apartments or condominiums. These have been present for many years and have not spurred a plethora of apartments and multiplexes here in the village.
A fire suppression system is needed in the Village. Given the value of the properties and the growth of the population, the ability to deliver large volumes of water to fight fire is necessary. This has become more evident with the number of major fires that have impacted our neighbors north of us. There will be a fire in the Bosque. We must be ready to fight and stop it from destroying the Bosque and our homes. A plan is being developed and designed based on our fire chief’s, Anthony Martinez, experience, and training as well as the needs of the Village. Funding has been an issue and he has cobbled together funds over the past 17 years to bring this system online. The Village is not there yet, but we are getting close.
National First Responders Day is Friday, October 28th. This day recognizes the heroic men and women who make it their business to take immediate action when disaster strikes. We appreciate and support all first responders worldwide and a HUGE shoutout to our very own first responders in the Village of Corrales that always go above and beyond everyday for all of us and to help keep our Village safe. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!
Previous administrations have started improvements to our animal services department, and now the current Village government and the administration are close to consensus and a plan is being developed to care for our animals in a more efficient and humane way. Stay tuned for more updates.
The Village government recently entered into a purchase agreement with the Gonzales family for the property on Corrales Road north of Wells Fargo. No site development plan for the property is in the works yet as the legal issues for the purchase are still being addressed. At some point this land will belong to the Village and decisions will need to be made about its use.
Village in the Village asked that we thank all the community members who supported their recent 50/50 Pot of Gold Raffle. The fundraiser raised a total of $7,800, half of which went to ViV to continue their mission here in Corrales, and the other half went to winners Susan & Frank Steiner. The Steiners donated a portion of their winnings back to ViV. You can find out more about ViV at their website www.villageinthevillage.org.
Early Voting starts here in Corrales - this Saturday, October 22nd at the Village Community Center, 4324 Corrales Road from 10am-6pm. There are Voting Guides available in the Administration office that were provided by The League of Women Voters. Early Voting will continue through November 5th, with hours of Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Election day voting will take place at the Rec Center Tuesday, November 8th from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Get out and enjoy our beautiful fall foliage with these upcoming events….
- Corrales Elementary School is hosting a family friendly “Fall Carnival” this Saturday, October 22nd from 4pm – 7pm. Dig out those costumes and join the fun! Food, games, and even a haunted house! Parking on Corrales Road is prohibited, there will be parking available at the school.
- The Corrales Growers Market is open on Sunday, October 23rd and Sunday, October 30th and the last Wednesday Growers Market will be October 26th.
- The Corrales Art Center Presents “Bubbly and Bling Salon at Vara Winery” 325 Alameda Blvd, Sunday October 23rd from 2pm – 4pm. Please register at: https://corralesartscenter.org/event-4985630
- Corrales MainStreet is sponsoring a Ribbon Cutting at Casa Vieja on Thursday, October 27th at 5pm. Stop by, meet the new owners, Dan and Molly O’Brien and celebrate their new business with them.
- Casa Perea Art Space invites you to join in the celebration of “Día De Los Muertos” October 28th through November 2nd. Information online at: https://casapereaartspace.com/ or 505-503-7636
- “Brujeria: Witchcraft in New Mexico History” Free Speaker Series at the Historic Old Church on Sunday, October 30th @ 2:00pm. Fore more information: https://www.corraleshistory.org/
- Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the very popular and super fun “Trunk or Treat” at Corrales Rec Center, 500 Jones Road, on Monday, October 31stfrom 6pm - 7pm. Go to the website for more information and to participate. The Village administration office is still collecting bags of candy donations, and we appreciate your support to help make this a great event for our kids here in the Village!
Stay safe and please get your flu shot!
Jim Fahey
Corrales Mayor
