The Village of Santa Clara Regular Meeting was held on Thursday evening at 6:00 pm in the Village Hall. Mayor Richard Bauch and all trustees except Mayor Pro Tem Albert Esparza were in attendance.

Bauch began his Mayor’s report by updating the community on the addressing program. The project to name, rename, and renumber the streets is moving along and will be beneficial for emergency vehicle dispatching. Bauch also said the Village is preparing for the 2020 census. Work now to make sure the Village is ready will make the process go smoothly. It is important the census is correct as it is a tool in receiving funding. Bauch also reported the Neighborhood Watch is going well.

The first presentation brought before the board was from Western New Mexico Communications regarding expansion of their service into the Santa Clara area. They could bring high speed internet to the Village which would improve the technological atmosphere. There would be four providers allowing for competitive pricing. Western New Mexico Communications would be the only local provider, providing local service and local jobs. The company will meet with legal counsel to determine if an ordinance is needed to expand their service or if a license agreement needs drafted.

In other new business, the Village found a 1997 Skid Loader at a reasonable price and will purchase it for use. The machinery was inspected and price comparisons were reviewed in order to ensure value.

Santa Clara has approved the Memorandum of Understanding for the CodeRed Emergency Notification System. Sheila Hudman reminded the Trustees that the CodeRed system is the only system that is able to notify residents in Grant County of emergencies and that Santa Clara’s portion is prorated based on its percentage of the population in the county.

The highlight of old business was the acceptance of the lease agreement allowing the Veteran’s Service Officer to have an office at the Armory. Bauch said Santa Clara supports the Veteran’s Service Office’s activities in Grant County and he believes the Armory will be a central location, providing an ease of access to those using the office.

A Resolution was also passed to extend the Road Fund Program into 2018 as the repairs were unable to be completed.

The real work that was presented to Bauch and the Trustees came from David Sears during the public comments. Sears, having lived in Santa Clara for the past five years, has recently become concerned about his neighborhood. He said that it was only in the past couple of months that he had any issues. Several other members of the community agreed with Sears and their concerns mirrored his - that the same people seem to be committing the same crimes and they have seen no resolution. Sears implored the Mayor to help take the concerns to the County level.

Bauch said he has contacted four legislators about how law enforcement can respond to the problems the Village is having. Police Chief Lonnie Sandoval said it has been a long time since the people of Santa Clara have gotten involved. He is glad people are standing up for the community. In the midst of the fear and despair some of the community members are feeling, Sandoval reinforced that the Community Watch, letters to the Senator, and the presence at the meeting are making a difference.

Bauch said he plans to facilitate a meeting that would allow these concerns to be voiced directly to Grant County officials.

Community members are invited to come to the Village of Santa Clara’s Regular Meetings, the next of which will be on Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 3:00 pm at 105 North Bayard Street in Santa Clara.