Estancia Honors Outgoing Officials And First Responders
The Estancia Board of Trustees marked a leadership transition on December 15, 2025, by honoring outgoing Mayor Nathan Dial and Trustee J. Morrow Hall, recognizing police and fire personnel for life-saving actions, and swearing in newly elected officials.
Town Clerk Michelle Jones opened the meeting with tributes to Hall and Dial before administering oaths of office to Martin Lucero, elected to the Board of Trustees, and Runnel Riley, elected mayor.
First responders recognized for life-saving actions
Early in the meeting, Estancia Police Chief Tom Carter and Officer Isaac Aragon were called forward for a commendation tied to an Aug. 24, 2025, call in which Aragon responded to a fentanyl overdose.
A certificate presented during the meeting stated that Aragon “showed heroic actions in the line of duty and provided life-saving measures” during the incident, with officials saying he administered Narcan and performed CPR.
Later, Jones read a separate commendation describing a November 17, 2025, medical emergency at the Old Mill Restaurant, where a male patron “suddenly ceased breathing and collapsed.” The statement said Officer Edward Quinonez initiated CPR and continued life-saving efforts alongside Carter until Estancia Fire Department personnel arrived.
Those included Fire Chief Chris Wolonsky, EMT-P (paramedic) Lester Gary, and EMT Linda Wolonsky of the Torrance County Fire Department.
Mayor Dial told the board the town’s investment in staffing and emergency services made the difference.
“If they weren’t on staff, that guy was dead and would have stayed dead,” Dial said, calling the incident a testament to the “great team the town of Estancia has built.” Officials said those involved received life-saving ribbons.
Town approves hazard mitigation plan acceptance, water settlement
In other business, trustees unanimously approved Resolution 2025-45, accepting the Torrance County hazard mitigation plan. Dial noted that by signing the hazard mitigation plan, municipalities open the door for the state to agree to it.
Trustees also approved a settlement tied to New Mexico Environment Department Drinking Water Bureau No. 25-37. Dial said the town had been notified roughly two years earlier of noncompliance issues within its drinking water system and faced $45,000 in fines. He said the town had returned to compliance within the past year and agreed to provide in-kind educational work at the school and other measures, prompting the state to offer a $9,000 settlement in lieu of the full amount.
Swearing-in and send-offs
Jones administered an oath to Lucero, who told the audience he believed “things are rolling pretty good” and said he hoped to contribute ideas and effort to the community.
Riley, sworn in as mayor, thanked voters and said he would do his best not to let them down.
In his last meeting, Hall urged successors to “use your ordinances,” recommending that the board amend ordinances rather than rely on variances when they are not appropriate. He also identified small fixes he hoped the town would address, including correcting misspellings on two street signs.
Jones then read a proclamation honoring Hall’s decades of civic involvement, including service as a trustee and mayor in earlier years, leadership roles in planning and zoning, and involvement with the library. The proclamation designated Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, as “J. Morrow Hall Day.” Trustees voted to approve the proclamation.
Jones also presented Dial with an award recognizing his service as mayor from January 2018 through the end of December 2025 (Dial then returned the favor with a thank-you gift for Jones). In her remarks, she credited Dial’s leadership style, quoting a saying she attributed to him: “It’s amazing what you can get done when you don’t care who gets the credit.”
In closing remarks, Dial said he began his term hoping to continue serving after his time in the US Army and noted that the town had built a stronger municipal workforce during his tenure.
“Seven years ago, basically, [Estancia] services included one public works [employee], one and a half cops, and volunteers,” Dial said. “Today, we have four public works officials, seven certified officers, and full EMS on staff.”
During the same discussion, officials also cited a list of funded projects and grants underway in town, describing road, water and wastewater, capital outlay, tourism, airport and flood mitigation funding totaling roughly $14.4 million.
Dial ended his remarks by wishing incoming leadership well and urging the town to stay the course on ongoing projects.