Design Work Begins to Pave Portions of Vista Redonda Roads

By next year, this hill will be asphalted.

Santa Fe County has begun the design work necessary to pave with asphalt 1,300 feet of Vista Redonda from the entrance to 600 feet past the stop sign, 2,500 feet on the SW and 1,300 feet on the NE sections of Paseo Encantado, according to Adam Leigland, Director of the Santa Fe Public Works Department.
     "Depending on the weather, we can either begin implementation immediately or, more likely, we’ll start construction in the spring of 2014," Leigland said. "I’m just guessing, but I’d estimate that construction will take 60 to 90 days."

18th Annual Santa Fe Pen Fair

Vista Redonda neighbor Gene Frank tells us that his son's store Santa Fe Pens, in the Sanbusco Market Center, will be holding is annual Pen Fair this weekend. Here's the scoop:

Greetings!

Please be our guest at the 18th Annual Santa Fe Pen Fair on Saturday, March 2, 2013 and Sunday, March 3, 2013.  Join more than 20 manufacturers to experience the latest in fine writing instruments. Also, due to popular request, we have expanded our hand-writing seminar to include adults this year. Sherry Bishop will be on hand to provide personalized instruction for anyone wanting to improve their hand-writing style.  Reservations are required for each 20 minute session, and we'll have slots for 4 students per hour.  Call our shop at 505-989-4742 to make your reservation for yourself or your student.

 

Neal Frank,

Santa Fe Pens

Sanbusco Market Center

500 Montezuma Ave.

Santa Fe, NM 87501

www.santafepens.com

 

Asphalt, not Chip Seal, Coming to Vista Redonda this Summer

More than 35,000 miles of US highways are paved per year

 

The county will begin work in July to bring asphalt into the neighborhood, according to Adam Leigland, Director of the Santa Fe Public Works Department. "The plan," he said, "is not to use chip seal but to use hot mix asphalt."
     Using funds from the general obligation bond passed by voters last fall, the county's plans call for paving 1,300 feet of Vista Redonda from the entrance to 600 past the stop sign. Then pave each way on Paseo Encantado, 2,500 feet on the SW portion and 1,300 feet on the NE section.
    The county will also hire an engineering consultant to examine drainage and even the possibility of widening the roads, as well as safety issues. Depending on funds, Leigland said, the  recommendation could be accomplished immediately.
 

Neighbors gather for the First Annual Vista Redonda Cookie Exchange.

Lost Tabby Cat Found

If anyone has lost a large tabby cat with white paws and chest markings, contact the Axelrods.
      "The cat was extremely nervous at first but after a few tins of cat food he/she's become very affectionate and must be someone's loving pet," Wendy Axelrod said. "I'm worried about it being out in the cold even though he/she looks extremely healthy."
      If the cat is yours or you have any information please call the Axelrods at (505) 983-8476

County Reveals Plans to Bring Pavement to Neighborhood

Bond passage may mean the end to dirt roads here.

Despite a neighborhood vote of more than 70 percent against using pavement, Santa Fe County plans to use the revenue from the general obligation bond passed yesterday to pave portions of Vista Redonda roads.
According to Adam Leigland, director of public works for the county, the plan is to:

• Pave 1,300 feet of Vista Redonda from the intersection of 592  and continuing 600 feet past the stop sign.
• Pave 2,500 feet of Paseo Encantado SW  and 1,300 feet of Paseo Encantado NE beginning at the intersection.
• Engage the services of an engineering consultant to look at widening the road, drainage, and other issues.

Board member David Rule writes:
"I believe that your blog post is a bit misleading.  While I believe that it is true that 70% of our residents voted against FULL paving of all road surface - 57% did vote to accept partial paving similar to what is being proposed by the County.  The County is not proposing to pave all the VR road surfaces as your posting would seem to imply.  You may wish to clarify this.  Thanks.  Dave Rule" 

Aamodt report: Regional water system would require 1,200 homes to shut down wells

As many Vista Redonda residents do not subscribe to the New Mexican or live elsewhere much of the time, you may have missed this update on the Aamodt settlement.

     More than 1,200 nonpueblo residents of the Pojoaque Valley would have to agree to give up their private wells and hook into a proposed regional water system to make the project financially viable, according to a report presented to county commissioners on Tuesday.
     The regional water system is part of the settlement of the decades-long Aamodt water-rights litigation in the Pojoaque River Basin involving four pueblos as well as local, state and federal governments. The settlement is supposed to protect the water supplies and water rights of both pueblo and nonpueblo residents.
     The regional system would take water from the Rio Grande and deliver it throughout the valley. Officials say the system ensures drinking water supplies. Some residents continue to oppose the regional system, saying it is unnecessary and will cost the county too much money.
     The regional system would serve the pueblos of San Ildefonso, Pojoaque and Nambé and a portion of Tesuque. It also would serve many villages within the basin, such as Cuyamungue, El Rancho, Nambé and Tesuque. Read more here.