The town of Edgewood highlighted road safety, town operation and future holiday events during its regular commission meeting on Nov. 26 at Edgewood’s Commission Chambers.
The meeting started with the Edgewood Lions Club distributing certificates of appreciation to the town of Edgewood, Parks and Recreation Manager Jimmy Martinez, and the officers and staff of the Edgewood Police Department.
During the hearing, commissioners raised concerns about recent accidents on Highway 66 and the Mountain Valley intersection. Commissioner Patrick Milligan addressed constituent concerns regarding accidents on Highway 66, emphasizing the need to involve state agencies.
The commission also discussed the allocation of the leftover ARPA funds. Michelle Jones, the town clerk-treasurer, proposed using the capital for wastewater plant improvements and supplementing grant-matching funding for road projects. McCraken also suggested getting a new dump truck with a salt spreader.
Commissioners also discussed maximizing the security of town buildings, as prompted by recent security concerns and assessments. By implementing the intercom system at Town Hall, they plan to find the right balance between building security and public access.
The commissioners also noted the importance of library security and consideration of the open carry policy and the potential for metal detectors or concealed carry options for staff and volunteers.
Community Liaison Linda Burke updated the commissioners and the public on the New Mexico Main Street Frontier Communities Initiative.
She outlined the program’s focus on navigation and branding for economic development, showcasing the need to address Edgewood’s signage discrepancies and the lack of a distinctive feature for Edgewood. Burke presented examples from other communities and explained the project’s proposed timeline and phases.
Police Chief Roger Jimenez also reminded Edgewood residents to be vigilant against “mail pirates” and property crimes during the holiday season. He outlined plans for increased police presence and security measures during anticipated holiday sales events.
Town Manager Nina McCracken clarified the town’s inclement weather policy, proposing a return to following the Moriarty-Edgewood School District’s closures and delays to ensure staff safety.
“Something I would like to do is go back to just following the school district. If they’re on a delay, we’re on a delay. If they’re closed, we’re closed,” McCracken said. “I don’t think it’s necessary for anyone to have to risk their life to come to work.”
Upcoming Festivities and Carnival Plans
Martinez provided updates and details about upcoming community events.
The three events on Dec. 7 for the tree lighting celebration are:
- Reindeer Run (5K): Starting at 9 a.m., the run will use the same course as previous events, along State Road 344, between Venus Road and Dinkle Road Registration is open on the town’s website and Facebook page. Awards will be given to top finishers, followed by a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses.
- Christmas Parade: Beginning at 5 p.m., this parade, similar to Nob Hill’s Twinkle Light Parade, will proceed along 344 from Venus Park, with support from the roads crew and police department. More details here.
- Tree Lighting Event: From 5 to 8 p.m., the event includes Christmas carols, photo opportunities with Santa, hot chocolate and cookies. Donations of homemade cookies and parade participants are still being sought.
Martinez also said Sun Valley Rides will return for a carnival in June 2025. Venus Park’s parking lot expansion is being considered to accommodate additional rides.
He also invited businesses to advertise on the rides, encouraged everyone to attend the free holiday festivities and announced opportunities for community involvement.
Contact information can be found here.
Commissioner Sterling Donner announced the end of his tenure, stating that he needs to accomplish different plans and that he does not want conflict of interest to be an issue.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to step down from the position to focus on helping the community in a broader capacity,” Donner said. “This role has certain constraints that have hindered my ability to freely communicate and collaborate with agencies and officials, both public and private, in my advocacy to address the broader needs of not only our town but the entire Estancia Valley region.”
In his statement, Donner also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the town of Edgewood for the past three years, which has helped him garner gratifying relationships and experiences.
In the essence of celebration, Mayor Ken Brennan wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving. He emphasized safety during the holiday season and reminded the community to use My Blue Bus in case transportation is needed.
“We all have to stay mindful of what’s going on,” Brennan said. “If we let the urgency, the busyness of the season get in front of us, we start to forget about our own safety, and we start to rush and we start to cut corners.”