Alamogordo NM
4-16-2026 5:28am

Tularosa Trustees Tackle Water Hookups, Senior Center Staffing, and Rose Festival Buzz in Lively April Meeting

TULAROSA — The Village of Tularosa Board of Trustees held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 609 St. Francis Drive, where Mayor Deborah Cooksey called the session to order with a reminder for the audience to keep noise to a minimum because “we can hear everything that’s going on” in the echoing chamber.

After the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call (noting Trustee Otero’s initial absence before she confirmed her presence), the board approved the agenda and opened the floor for public comment.

Planning & Zoning Dispute and Water/Sewer Concerns Dominate Early Comments

Shannon Yates Spencer, a resident, business owner, and member of the Tularosa Planning and Zoning Commission, addressed misinformation she said village leadership had shared with a resident. Spencer stated the commission had never received or reviewed any application from the resident regarding water and sewer connections, calling the attribution of a denial to P&Z “categorically false” and “egregious.” She noted the fallout included a heated confrontation at her business and requested an immediate correction.

She also raised concerns that the Planning and Zoning Commission lacks access to village-purchased audio/video equipment, making compliance with the Open Meetings Act difficult.

Later in public comment, Deborah (Debbie) Lewis passionately questioned why she could not obtain water and sewer hookups for her property, which she described as a permitted RV/mobile home park. Lewis said she had completed all required inspections, rezoning, and even had plumbing installed to the street with help from a village water maintenance employee on a side job. She claimed prior approval from the board and P&Z last year, but commission members stated they had no record of the application.

Trustees and staff acknowledged the need to locate paperwork and invited Lewis to the village office Friday morning at 10 a.m. to sort through records. Several trustees recalled discussing a related trailer move and voting on an issue, emphasizing that the matter needed proper documentation. Lewis noted she already has five residents on the property.

Community Highlights and Upcoming Events

New resident Diana Freelig (Windswept Branch) introduced herself and her ambitious animal sanctuary project on Highway 54. She invited the community to visit starting in May to feed bison, water buffalo, yak, and possibly camels, with plans for family events and birthday parties.

Larry Berry urged the village to support (or at least not hinder) an upcoming bull riding event tied to the Tularosa Rose Festival, noting its cultural importance to local heritage even if held just outside village limits. Mayor Cooksey clarified she had only said it could not occur on village property due to liability and space concerns, but the board appeared supportive of the event moving forward elsewhere. (The bull riding is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026.)

Toby Pruitt requested postponement of a proposed contract with the Tularosa Community Ditch Corporation (TCDC), noting TCDC had not seen the document. The board agreed to table it.

Jeff Tremblay shared a letter from the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer ordering the TCDC to cease delivering irrigation water to lands outside the authorized 1906 decreed places of use, potentially impacting properties west of the railroad. He provided maps to illustrate the issue.

Vivian Lewis inquired about carpet replacement estimates for the senior center (submitted last week) and ongoing enforcement of the 15-day limit on travel trailers/RVs. Staff noted code enforcement efforts were underway, including new permit and inspection requirements.

Personnel and Budget Actions

The board approved several senior center staffing changes presented by incoming Director Clarissa Benton Kerr:

• Appointment of Clarissa Benton Kerr as Senior Center Director at $20/hour.

• Appointment of Regina Baghetti as full-time secretary/assessment coordinator at $15/hour.

• $2/hour raise for Tucker Hood as head cook.

• $0.50/hour raise for kitchen assistant Michelle Dormey.

Raises for Nathan Benker and Brett Signs were postponed due to water budget constraints.

Contracts for water plant assistance (Ray Ramos and Prodigy Builders) were postponed pending attorney revisions. The TCDC contract was also postponed at the request of TCDC.

Grants, Projects, and Future Planning

Grant Coordinator Kendra King provided a brief update, noting approximately $6 million in active grants and ongoing collaboration with all trustees. She requested support for a “green space” (initially listed as sports complex) to serve as a youth practice field, tied to potential state funding. The item was postponed for further workshop discussion.

Sheila Coco presented the “Tour of Bulls” project — life-size aluminum bull sculptures painted by local artists to promote tourism across Otero County. The board voted to support the initiative, which would not cost the village.

Steven Chavez proposed a bark park (dog park) with separate areas for small and large dogs, benches, water stations, and safety features. He shared a petition and suggested possible grant funding or placement at Veterans Park or the future green space. The board expressed strong support but postponed final consideration for a workshop to address fencing, insurance, costs, and logistics.

MOU for Case Management Services

Ana Vigil (outgoing senior center director) and others discussed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Non-Metro New Mexico Area Agency on Aging to use office space at the senior center for case management services. Vigil emphasized the need in Tularosa, noting 7 of her 11 active clients are local. Trustees raised questions about the requested five days per week versus earlier discussions of two days. The item was left for further board review and a vote at the next meeting.

Planning & Zoning Recommendations

The board approved several P&Z recommendations:

• Building site permit for Judy Stravis at 2060 Railroad Avenue (single-family residence).

• Building site permit for Stella Brosuelas at 204 Hagy Lane (12x14 shed).

• Building site permit for Nancy Carr at 1290 Old Mescalero Road (one-bedroom residence), with conditions on drainage/erosion and water/sewer (septic likely required as sewer line does not extend that far).

• Five-year exempt subdivision (two-track split) for property on Derbyshire.

A preliminary plat for Riata Road Heritage Estates (five-lot subdivision) was postponed for workshop discussion on water/sewer capacity and drainage.

A public hearing for a cell tower proposal (Sean Mikes/Nancy Carr) was advanced as scheduled for May 18, 2026.

One building site permit application (for a glass crusher shed at the recycling center) was rejected by P&Z for incomplete setbacks and will be resubmitted.

Other Items

In old business, discussion continued on PNM streetlights along Mescalero and roof repairs at village buildings (leaks reported at the museum and elsewhere). A contractor is scheduled to inspect.

In new business, trustees highlighted upcoming Rose Festival events, including the bull riding and duck races, and praised volunteers for their efforts. Mayor Cooksey set the record straight on her comments about the rodeo, reiterating support as long as it is not on village property.

The meeting adjourned after a full evening of community input, personnel approvals, and project planning.

For othet Tularosa updates tune into Anthony Lucero at 

Tularosa Rose Festival Pageant 2026
https://youtu.be/SZeqOkRAoCA

Tularosa Rose Festival 2026
https://youtu.be/V33eELFFwUA

Tularosa Duck Races 2026
https://youtu.be/nSPVa2Fv6dQ

This was a classic small-town meeting — equal parts procedural, passionate, and forward-looking, with plenty of neighborly back-and-forth. For more information visit the village of Tularosa website or stay turned to KALHRadio.org and AlamogordoTownNews.org 

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