Volume XXVII · November 2023
Hello November! Hopefully you have carved your pumpkins, put away your Halloween costumes and pulled out your comfy sweaters. It’s time to spend time with your family and friends and take time to remember all the things you are thankful for. Go outside and enjoy the beautiful weather our awesome mountain village enjoys. If you’re looking for ideas of things to do, visit DiscoverRuidoso.com. Election day is November 7th. Be sure to educate yourself about the ballot – especially the candidates. Please attend the forums held by the Republican Party of Lincoln County and the Chamber of Commerce. Remember that all government starts locally.
Mayor Lynn Crawford
Veteran’s Day is November 11th. Please take time to thank a veteran and remember the sacrifices made by those who served and are serving. This is a time to honor American history and the courage of the men and women who stand ready to protect our freedoms. During these trying times with all the conflicts and wars around the world, we are fortunate to be living and thriving in our community where the troubles of the world seem far away. The Village is busy with many projects and the work continues. I know the Pine Cliff area is anxious for the new infrastructure that is long overdue. Planning for the Country Club area is in full swing, so you folks are next. The paving of Sudderth by the State has been postponed until Spring. Please know we will continue to address the issues associated with the project. Housing development is still a high priority for the Village, we hope to gain on the final planning this month. The Wingfield Heritage Museum continues to make progress, and exciting things are happening. Work continues with the armoring of the sewer line and the riverbanks. This has been a long project, and it is nice to see the progress. Soon the area on Eagle Drive will start with seeding and park benches along with some additional parking. Planning continues with development of the White Mountain Sports Complex. It takes so long to get developments like this planned and financed that sometimes we wonder if it will ever happen. Yes, it will! Personally, I am so thankful for the people in this community and the support that you have given. I am also thankful for all the volunteers that make a difference and the wonderful Village staff we have that work with a proud spirit in them. On that note, I want to congratulate our Employee of the Quarter and Department of the Quarter. Nicole Huston, Executive Administrative Assistant, is our Employee of the Quarter. Nicole has a heavy workload to balance and is always willing to help wherever she is needed. The best thing is that she always has a smile on her face and a positive attitude. We often tease her by saying “Huston, we have a problem!” Thanks for all you do, Nicole!
Water Distribution Department
Nicole Huston
The Department of the Quarter is Water Distribution. This department always works very hard and has been shorthanded for quite some time. They work after hours, throughout the night, whatever we ask of them – water/sewer leaks, installing and replacing lines, and even snow removal. This group always comes together as a team. We appreciate your hard work and all you do for this community!
Tune in for Mondays with the Mayor, you should know when and where by now. I hope you enjoy Thanksgiving and remember to count your blessings! Lynn 1
VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETINGS Recent Actions
Ruidoso Village Council Members
At the October 10, 2023, Regular council Meeting, the Governing Body took the following actions:
» Rifle Salas - Mayor Pro Tem » Susan Lutterman
» Approval of Ruidoso Fire Department’s Emergency Medical System Project to Apply for Funding in the Amount of $35,000, for New Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
» Joe Eby
» Approval of Aviation Grant Agreement SRR-24-01 with New Mexico Department of Transportation to Purchase Lavatory Cart and Ground Power Unit for Sierra Blanca Regional Airport.
» Darren Hooker
» Gary Jackson » Tim Coughlin
» Approval of Task Order RFP#2019-002P-07 Amendment 1 Moon Mountain Trail and Links Trail Rehabilitation with Bohannan Houston, Inc. for Extension of Time from 65 Calendar Days to 65 Working Days. » Approval of Contract for Services Between County of Lincoln and Village of Ruidoso to Provide Library Services to All Citizens Within the Boundaries of Lincoln County.
at
Wingfield Park Late November Early January 2
CAPITAL PROJETS Capital Outlay
The Village of Ruidoso has compiled a list of the Top 10 capital projects submitted for capital outlay dollars for the upcoming legislative session. The State of New Mexico Property Control Act defines a capital outlay project as the acquisition, improvement, alteration, or reconstruction of assets of a long-term character that are intended to continue to be held or used, including land, buildings, machinery, furniture, and equipment. Capital outlay funding cannot be used for operating expenses, salaries, materials and supplies, events, brochures, pamphlets and publications, or retroactive reimbursements of previous purchases. A Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is a working blueprint for developing and sustaining community infrastructure, such as buildings, roads, bridges, parks, and other major projects requiring significant capital expenditures. Outlining long-term budget plans ranging out for four years, a CIP is annually updated to reflect local government’s changing needs, priorities, and funding constraints. Top 10 Projects in Ruidoso Include: 1. Workforce Housing 2. Bridge Replacement Projects 3. Horton Complex 4. Sewer Line Rehabilitation 5. Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure 6. Broadband/Fiber Connectivity 7. Sidewalk and Lighting Improvements along Sudderth Drive 8. Event/Emergency Center 9. Sewer Line Extensions 10. Water and Sewer Line Extensions to include Streets, and Drainage Infrastructure
KEEP WILDLIFE WILD! Feeding wildlife is banned in the Village (bird feeders excluded) Citations will be issued $500 fine will be imposed
3
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Snow Removal Operation Plan
Before the first snowflakes hit Ruidoso roads and sidewalks, the Village begins planning for winter snow clearing. On September 28, department heads from Public Works, Police, Fire, Parks and Recreation, and Emergency Management met to discuss the Village snow and ice removal plan for the upcoming winter weather season. The goal of the meeting was to review and update the current plan’s equipment, procedures, and staffing. Presently, the Village divides roads and sidewalks into three priorities starting with major roads such as Sudderth and Mechem Drives, and then working their way down the list. “Having a robust response to snow and ice operations begins well in advance of winter,” said Eric Queller, Village Emergency Manager. “Ruidoso’s Offices of Emergency Management and Public Works continuously monitor conditions and forecasts to determine if more staff is needed.” Each year, the Village receives roughly 1000 tons of salt and sand from the New Mexico Department of Transportation for Sudderth and Mechem Drives alone. The Village buys an additional 500 tons for all other roads. During significant snow and ice events, Village staff works around the clock to make roads passable for Ruidoso’s citizens and visitors. Please be patient with our crews as they work, and know that safety is a priority for all Village teams. During inclement weather, stay off the roads if possible. If you must drive, keep in mind the following winter weather driving tips: » For road conditions, check NMroads.com » Give yourself more time. » Slow down. » Increase following distance. » Avoid using cruise control. » Keep an emergency kit in your car. » DO NOT crowd the plow.
4
Photos by Brooks Eggleston 5
DEPARTMENTS & PHONE NUMBERS VILLAGE HALL: 575-258-4343
Airport 575-336-8111 Convention Center 575-258-5445
• Capital Projects & Purchasing
Judicial 575-257-9055 Library 575-258-3704
• Executive
Parks & Recreation 575-257-5030
• Finance • Forestry
Police 575-258-7365
• Human Resources
Fire 575-257-3473 Regional Waste Water Treatment Plant (RWWTP) 575-378-8417
• Planning and Zoning
Senior/Community Center 575-257-4565
• Utility Billing
Solid Waste 575-257-1502 Street Works 575-257-6023 Water Distribution and Sewer Collections 575-257-2386 Water Production 575-257-5525 Water Rights/Watershed (RJU) 575-258-6913
www.Ruidoso-NM.gov
UPCOMING NOVEMBER 7 ELECTION Ruidoso Municipal Schools (General Election) » Virginia A. Armstrong
Eastern New Mexico University - Ruidoso Branch Community College (General Election)
» Shane D. Holder
Candidates:
Candidates:
» Kelly Rigsby Johnson
» Rachael A. Rosillo
» Warren Edward Kasper
» Marla L. Frye-Romero
» Anne M. Brillante
» Brad L. Treptow
» Elizabeth Paige Potter
Two Board Members, four-year terms
» Carrie B. Chaves Two Board Members, four-year terms
One Board Member, remaining two years of a four-year term
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN TWO
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN THREE
6
SCHOOL BOND & SB9 BOND Two Questions on the Ballot:
The Ruidoso Public School Capital Improvements Act Tax Shall the Ruidoso Municipal School District No. 3 continue to impose a property tax of $2.00 per each $1,000.00 of net taxable value of property allocated to the Ruidoso Municipal School District No. 3 for the property tax years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 for the purpose of (1) erecting, remodeling, making additions to, providing equipment for or furnishing public school buildings; (2) purchasing or improving public school grounds; (3) maintenance of public school buildings or public school grounds, including the purchasing or repairing of maintenance equipment, participating in the facility information management system as required by the Public School Capital Outlay Act [22-24-1 NMSA 1978] and including payments under contracts with regional education cooperatives for maintenance support services and expenditures for technical training and certification for maintenance and facilities management personnel, but excluding salary expenses of school district employees; (4) purchasing activity vehicles for transporting students to extracurricular school activities; (5) purchasing computer software and hardware for student use in public school classrooms; (6) purchasing and installing education technology improvements, excluding salary expenses of school district employees, but including tools used in the educational process that constitute learning and administrative resources, and which may also include:(a) satellite, copper and fiber-optic transmission; computer and network connection devices; digital communication equipment, including voice, video and data equipment; servers; switches; portable media devices, such as discs and drives to contain data for electronic storage and playback; and the purchase or lease of software licenses or other technologies and services, maintenance, equipment and computer infrastructure information, techniques and tools used to implement technology in schools and related facilities; and (b) improvements, alterations and modifications to, or expansions of, existing buildings or tangible personal property necessary or advisable to house or otherwise accommodate any of the tools listed in (6) above. Ruidoso General Obligation Bond Question Shall the Board of Education of the Ruidoso Municipal School District No. 3, County of Lincoln, New Mexico, be authorized to issue up to $12,000,000 of general obligation bonds for the purpose of erecting, remodeling, equipping and furnishing school buildings; purchasing or improving school grounds; purchasing computer software and hardware for student use in public schools; providing matching funds for capital outlay projects funded pursuant to the Public School Capital Outlay Act; or any combination of these purposes?
RMDS School Bond Continuation
V Novembe OTE ! r
7, 2023
Our students deserve the best! 7
Fall EVENTS
Check out our line-up of great events for fall! Please visit DiscoverRuidoso.com for additional events and details. NOVEMBER 18-19: • Ruidoso Evening Lions Gun & Knife Show, Convention Center NOVEMBER 23: • Ruidoso Winter Park Opens NOVEMBER 24/25: • Chris Baker, Downshift Hidden Tap • White Mountain Christmas, Flying J Ranch
Check for Daily Events
NOVEMBER 25: • 5K Turkey Trot, The Links • Ruidoso Holiday Auction, Ruidoso Convention Center • Sunny Ozuna, Inn of the Mountain Gods • Party on the Mountain, Ski Apache • Opening Weekend (conditions permitting), Ski Apache • Chris Baker, Downshift Hidden Tap • Doso Dirtbags, Downshift Hidden Tap
Ruidoso-NM.gov/Community-Center NOVEMBER 3-4: • Breeders’ Cup, Ruidoso Downs Race Track NOVEMBER 4: • Matt Nestor, Downshift Hidden Tap • Greentree Member/Mescalero Electronics Recycling Day, Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot
NOVEMBER 26: • Christmas Tree Lighting, Inn of the Mountain Gods • Full Moon Thanksgiving Family Karaoke Night, Rarebird Workshop • Community Sound Bath, Blue Lotus Day Spa & Yoga
NOVEMBER 10-12: • Ruidoso Christmas Jubilee, Ruidoso Convention Center
NOVEMBER 30: • Festival of Trees Auction, Ruidoso Downs Race Track • Christmas in the Park, Wingfield Park
NOVEMBER 11: • Delaney Davis and Valorie, Lost Hiker Brewing Company; Benny Bassett, Downshift Hidden Tap • Hillary Smith and The Chill House Band, Downshift Riverside NOVEMBER 16: • Sip and See ASAS Fundraiser, Enchanted Vine Barn NOVEMBER 18: • Jimmy Buffet Tribute, Bonito Valley Brewing Company • Clara’s Tea, Ruidoso Academy of Ballet and Dance
Submit Your Event www.discoverruidoso.com/event-submission-form 8
WEDNESDAYS: • 10:30 AM Story Time (designed for 4 to 5 years but all are welcome), Ruidoso Public Library
NOVEMBER 9: • Elementary Program Thanksgiving Game Day, Ruidoso Public Library
FRIDAYS: • Youth Night Rarebird Workshop
NOVEMBER 11-12: • Christmas Jubilee Family Fun, Convention Center NOVEMBER 12: • Girls Art & Dance Party, Rarebird Workshop NOVEMBER 15: • Tween/Teen Program Gratitude Collage Journal, Ruidoso Public Library NOVEMBER 22: • Story Time Thanksgiving Craft, Ruidoso Public Library
DECEMBER 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 20-23, 25-31: • White Mountain Christmas, Flying J Ranch DECEMBER 2: • Ruidoso Festival of Lights Parade, Midtown and Wingfield Park DECEMBER 9: • Christmas Drone Show, White Mountain Sports Complex DECEMBER 16/17: • The Nutcracker, Spencer Theater DECEMBER 23: • Doso Dirtbags, Lost Hiker Brewing Company DECEMBER 31: • Turn Back Time New Year’s Celebration, Inn of the Mountain Gods
White Mountain Christmas, Flying J Ranch
THE BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
Appreciation Mixer December 7, 2023 at 5:30 PM • Ruidoso Convention Center 9
ADMINISTRATION
NM 48/Sudderth Drive Repaving Update
POSTPONED… CONSTRUCTION THAT WAS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN 11-5 ON SUDDERTH DRIVE WILL BEGIN IN SPRING 2024
Upper Sudderth Striping In an effort to improve the safety and accessibility of upper Sudderth Drive, San Bar Construction is re-striping the area from the intersection of Mechem and Sudderth to the roundabout. Along with roadway re-striping, the project will include integrated off-street parking areas. The project was designed by Stantec Engineering, and the start date is to be determined.
LEVEL 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS
Permitted commercial fire pits - OK
WWW.RUIDOSO-NM.GOV FOR MORE INFORMATION
Non-permitted fire pits, campfires, & fireworks - NOT OK
Outdoor cooking including charcoal - OK
10
FIBER OPTIC PROJECT UPDATE
Cascade for Windstream Making Progress
The fiber optic project continues throughout the Village, and at the last Regular Council Meeting, representatives from Windstream and Cascade briefed the Village Council on the status of the project. Below is a quick overview of jobs that are in progress and jobs that will be started soon. IN PROGRESS » Mechem Drive and Rio Arriba: Power supply is 20% complete » Mechem Drive and Lucille Residential Area: 7,604 feet of aerial and underground fiber has been installed; 80% complete » Mary Drive Residential Area: 15,339 feet of aerial and underground fiber has been installed; 55% complete » White Mountain Drive: 1,770 feet of conduit only has been placed; 15% complete » Alpine Village Road and NM 48: 13,741 feet of aerial fiber has been placed; 41% complete » Pike’s Peak Road: pending underground to begin shortly JOBS TO BE STARTED NEXT » Coconino Lane » Innsbruck Drive
11
5K TURKEY TROT AN ANNUAL FUN RUN-WALK ON THE LINKS TRAIL TO SUPPORT THE LINCOLN COUNTY FOOD BANK
Saturday, November 25, 2023 The Links Trail 10:00 AM 12:00 PM
DiscoverRuidoso.com
REGISTER TODAY!