The Edgewood Town Commission approved the 2025 Comprehensive Plan at its first meeting of the year Tuesday night.
The Jan. 7 session covered several topics, including an internship program, budget adjustments, the 2025 holiday calendar and the discussion of a memorial for late Mayor Lawrence Keaty.
After public comments and matters from the commissioners, the clerk-treasurer, the chief of police, and the town manager, the meeting kicked off with a presentation on the Comprehensive Plan.
The key aspects of the plan include land use, economic development, housing, transportation, infrastructure, community services and facilities and hazard mitigation.
The plan was unanimously approved.
Mayor Ken Brennan and town manager Nina McCracken also discussed the possibility of opening an internship program for high school students, specifically seniors.
“The idea is that we have individuals in this community, and we have a need for additional workers, but possibly not just a full time employee. So we’re thinking that we have these programs”, said McCracken. “We could work with (Estancia Valley Classical Academy), homeschool programs, a high school, and get maybe juniors and seniors who are towards the end of high school, possibly looking to get into a career field, and we could work with them.”
The commission approved the program to start developing a strategy for providing local students with the opportunity to gain work experience and exposure to different careers.
The program will allow young students to gain professional references and explore the town’s various civic engagement opportunities.
Another important topic discussed during the session was the approval of the 2025 holiday calendar and the broader issue of historical representation regarding Columbus Day.
While the list of holidays was approved, Commissioner Stephen Murillo proposed changing Columbus Day to reflect Indigenous People Day.
A debate led to a commitment to rename the holiday Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
The commission also discussed prioritizing District 5 residents for the commissioner vacancy, the police department moving to the old Dennis Engineering building, the budget adjustment for the New Mexico Self-Insurance payment, the discourse of the community liaison position and the discussion of appointments to various boards, with some positions remaining unassigned.
Mayor Brennan read a statement commemorating the passing of former Mayor Lawrence “Larry” Keaty, Edgewood’s first mayor, who served from March 1999 to September 2000.
“He had a lot of great insight on the early days of Edgewood, and those who knew him closer, I know he’ll be sorely missed, and I appreciate all the efforts that he put into making Edgewood what it is today,” said Brennan.
The town of Edgewood is considering expanding the unused memorial space between the courthouse and the animal welfare to honor Keaty.
This area could also serve as a memorial space to recognize veterans, community leaders and public servants.
A committee will be formed in the future to research the area, develop the land for use and establish the needed policies and maintenance.