Corrales officials say Easy Fiber must meet village before excavation; staff flags permitting issues

Corrales administrators told the village council Aug. 26 that Easy Fiber, the franchisee approved earlier this year, has not yet completed the village’s required permitting steps and must meet with staff before any excavation.

Administrator Ron Curry said the franchise ordinance approved Feb. 28 requires contractors to meet certain conditions, including badging for door-to-door personnel and a public-works excavation permit. Curry said Easy Fiber failed to secure employee badges early on but had since corrected that issue; however the company has not yet applied for the excavation permit required before digging in village rights-of-way.

"Before they even come and do that, we've told them that they need to come in and meet with us and explain what they're going to do because we're unsure of the mapping — we're unsure of the process," Curry said. He told the council staff in Houston estimated a 90-day window before the company would begin any work in Corrales.

Councilors raised questions about prior problems reported with the company’s projects in Albuquerque and whether the village can legally stop work if complaints mount; staff said the franchise agreement contains clauses that allow revocation or stop-work if the company violates specific ordinances, though that authority depends on negotiated contract language and ordinance violations.

Curry said the village would insist on clear communication and expectations before a permit is issued and that staff would negotiate protections such as the right to revoke or stop work if warranted.