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bernalillo Town of

“ The City of Coronado”

Mayor Jack Torres

Councilmembers Tina Dominguez

Dale Prairie Sharon Torres-Quintana

Phillip Valverde September 2020

Town of Bernal i l lo ’ s Annual

SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE Accepting school supply donations for the young students

of Bernalillo. Supplies are given to students at La Escuelita, Carroll Elementary, and Bernalillo Elementary.

Drop of f suppl ies at Town Hal l .

ALL BRAND NEW SUPPLIES SUCH AS: BACKPACKS, COLORED PENCILS, CRAYONS, MARKERS, PAPER, GLUE STICKS,

AND SO MUCH MORE IS NEEDED!

CALL 867-3311 FOR MORE INFO

Police Chief Announces Retirement Police Chief Tom Romero has announced his retirement, effective August 31, 2020. Chief Romero has served as the town's chief for over six years.

Chief Romero began his law enforcement career with the Tucumcari Police Department in May 1976. Since then, he has served the City of Hobbs, State of New Mexico, and the Town of Bernalillo. Among his major accomplishments, Chief Romero has developed thorough and concise policies and Standard Operating Procedures, further developed the town's relationship with Bernalillo Public Schools by expanding the School Resource Officers from Bernalillo High School to Bernalillo Middle School, and acquired a dedicated firing range for the Police Department.

Chief Romero also worked to raise the professionalism of the department with training, additional command structures, and the creation of a trained Warrant Service Team to better meet our community needs. He led the implementation of body-worn cameras for officers, including policy. He also secured the Town Governing Body's support to hire non-certified officers who are pre-qualified and sent to the CNM Law Enforcement Academy for certification. In addition, he was honored by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham by his appointment to serve as Vice-Chair of the state's Law Enforcement Academy Board.

Mayor Jack Torres expressed his gratitude and sincere appreciation to Chief Romero for his commitment to Bernalillo in such challenging times. "When we hired Tom in 2014, he gave me his word that he would adopt us and treat us as his hometown. He has lived up to his word. Community policing in today's world takes a strong leader who understands the demands on patrol officers as well as the vision to problem solve issues that none of us have ever seen before. We will miss Chief Romero but appreciate what he has done for our town."

In reflecting upon his career with the Town, Chief Romero has said, "I consider myself blessed to have been given the opportunity to serve as Bernalillo's Chief of Police and to have worked with the staff of not only the police department, but also with the various departments and administration of the Town."

Tom will soon be able to spend more time with family and travel with his wife Kathy.

The Town has begun the process of identifying Chief Romero's successor. We thank and appreciate how far we have come because of Chief Romero’s experience and leadership. You’ve made Bernalillo safer under your watch.

FREE 1/2 DAY AT THE LANDFILL Bernalillo residents can discard

their trash at the Sandoval County Landfill for FREE! September 12th • 9:00am—Noon Bring proof of Bernalillo Residency 2708 Iris Rd NE, Rio Rancho, 87144

SPECIAL THANKS FOR THE 327TH FIESTAS

Although the 2020 Fiestas were missing several elements, we appreciate that this fiesta will be one for the history books. We know it was hard for our community to remain apart when, together, we have celebrated San Lorenzo for over 300 years.

The Town wishes to thank Mayordomos, Michael Rankin & Connie Carabajal and their families for their support of our community during this historical time.

Thank you for the Fiesta Council for putting our community first and keeping us safe during this pandemic.

Thank you to the dancers of this years Fiestas. We know that the sacred promesas you’ve made this year are kept in the highest regard.

Thank you to all of the members of our community who understood that these uncertain times meant making changes to keep all of Bernalillo safe.

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S e p t e m b e r C a l e n da r

1st - Planning & Zoning Meeting - Remote Meeting - 6:30 pm - www.townofbernalillo.org

7th - Town Facilities CLOSED in observance of Labor Day - reopen Tuesday, September 8th

14th - Town Council Meeting - Remote Meeting - 6:30pm - www.townofbernalillo.org

22nd - ESCAFCA Meeting - Town Hall 6:00pm 28th - Town Council Meeting - Remote Meeting -

6:30pm - www.townofbernalillo.org

/BernalilloTown  @BernalilloNM 

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GROWERS The Bernalillo Farmers Market welcomes you to the 2020 Market! With the following rules in place because of COVID-19, you can still come and purchase locally grown fruits/vegetables/starter plants from local growers:

Masks must be worn at all times Social distancing in effect (6 ft.) No handling of the fruits/

vegetables/plants No smoking within 30 feet of Rotary Park Pavilion

The Bernalillo Farmers Market opens every Friday evening from 4 PM -7 PM in the Rotary Park Pavilion.

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorwouldliketovendyourproduce,callBonnieHillat505‐228‐5801.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU VISIT US

Following Governor’s Leadership. The Town will continue to follow the leadership of the Governor. Latest updates will be posted online on our website and Facebook as they are released. Call Reception at Town Hall for more info: 505-867-3311. NO MASK means NO SERVICE! The Town is adopting a strict policy that individuals who wish to come into Town Hall will be permitted to stay if they are wearing adequate face covering and being worn properly. Wearing a face covering in public is a required directive put forth by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. Appointments Only! Any individuals who wish to conduct business at Town Hall must do so by appointments only. Only the individual involved in the transaction will be permitted into the building. Town Hall Reception: 505-867-3311

GUESTS WHO DO NOT ADHERE TO SOCIAL DISTANCING PRACTICES AND PROPER USE OF MASKS

CAN AND WILL BE ASKED TO VACATE IMMEDIATELY.

CHANGES TO WATER BILL PAYMENT

CASH IS NO LONGER ACCEPTED IN THE DROP BOX

No In-Person Bill Payments. For the time being, the Utility/Water Billing department will not be accepting any in-person bill payments.

How to Pay Your Bill Online - www.townofbernalillo.org Drop Box - Located outside of Town

Hall Entrance - check or money order only

Mail - PO Box 638 Bernalillo, NM 87004 -or- return address on utility bill stub

Phone - 505-771-7120 or 505-771-7122

When You Call, Keep In Mind: We have a high call volume. Please be patient as we navigate our customers and be sure to leave a message.

THE LIBRARY IS OPEN FOR PATRONS!

We ask that patrons please comply with the following guidelines while using the Town of Bernalillo’s Martha Liebert

Public Library in an effort that we do our part to reduce the spread the COVID-19 virus:

VISITATION GUIDELINES

Mask/Face Covering required during visit to Library During visit, maintain social distancing guidelines by

keeping physical distance of 6 feet or more from patrons and staff

If for health reasons you cannot wear a face covering, you will need to wait until all other patrons have cleared the building. During your visit, no other patrons will be allowed to enter until you’ve finished

Limited Occupancy guidelines will be strictly followed

LOITERING / BROWSING BOOKS

Patrons will be allowed no more than 30 minutes in the library to browse books

LOITERING WILL NOT BE PERMITTED, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO VACATE IMMEDIATELY

CURRENT L IBRARY H OURS

Monday - Friday: 9:30am - 5:30pm Sat: 9:00am - 1:00pm

Closed on Sundays and Holidays

RESPOND TO THE 2020 CENSUS TODAY!

New Mexico has had a response rate of only 52%! While Sandoval County has had a

response rate of 63%.

The 2020 Census is your chance to shape Bernalillo’s future! You can respond online or

by phone. The form only takes a few short

minutes to complete.

2020census .gov 844-330-2020