Chamber News

Patrick County Board of Supervisors Meeting-May 9-2011

The following is an account of the Patrick County Board of Supervisors meeting held on Monday, May 9, 2011. Repart has been prepared by Tom Bishop

Board of Supervisors Meeting May 9, 2011 Resolutions The Board passed the following resolutions by unanimous vote: David Gabriel Couch – The resolution celebrated the life of a Meadows of Dan Volunteer Fire Fighter and Vesta Rescue Squad member who died recently in an auto accident. Joshua B. Kerns – The resolution honored this U. S. Marine who has served 3 tours of duty in Afghanistan and was seriously injured by an IED explosive. He was recognized for unselfish sacrifice. Vesta Post Office – Resolution was made and to be sent to the U. S. Postal Service who is considering closing this post office that has 70 box holders. The resolution is intended to get the U. S. Postal Service to reconsider closing the post office and it will be forwarded to Congressman Morgan Griffith of the 9th District. Public Hearing on the Communications Tower Ordinance. Public comments were limited to Mr. Ed Anthony, Chair of the Patrick County Planning Commission. He said this ordinance will keep the beauty of Patrick County in mind and allow safely installation so they will not be put on top of each other. It is intended for all towers, not just cell phone towers. All applications will be reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission and the Building Inspector. The ordinance was approved unanimously. Capital Improvements for Blue Ridge Rescue Squad Dell Howard from the Blue Ridge Rescue Squad proposed that his organization purchase the following items as their Capital Improvements: 1. Polaris XP 800 ATV, 7 X 16 Trailer and a used SUV to pull the trailer. Cost estimate: $35,213.73 2. 45 Kilo Watt Generator – Cost estimate: $16,248.00 3. Training Room Completion at Blue Ridge Rescue and Building Improvements. Cost estimate: $12,538.27 4. Set aside $12,000 for a Physio Control LifePak 15 to be used with a grant from the Virginia Office of EMS. Total Cost: Approximately $76,000. Approval was given with a unanimous vote. Public Comment Period Danny Foley from the Mayo River District, representative from the Taxpayer Watchdog Group, recommended they re-finance the debt. He also recommended they sell the Workforce Office building, which cost approximately $95,000 to a local business. Road Repairs for the Rich Creek Park Dr. Lock Boyce made a motion to pay the approximate $45,000 for the required road repairs at Rich Creek Park out of EDA budget. The motion died for lack of a second. Rural Long Range Transportation Plan – Presentation by Robert Dowd, West Piedmont Planning District Mr. Dowd reported that the final plan will go for adoption on May 26, 2011. Once approved it will go the Salem VDOT Engineering office. Roger Hayden, from the Dan River District wanted the following problems addressed: 1. Outdated and narrow bridge at Dry Pond, Rt. 103 2. Correction of line of sight at the intersection of Rt. 103 (near Lee’s Kargo), Hatcher’s Chapel Road and Archie’s Creek Road (Claudville) 3. Correction of line of sight at the intersection of Rt. 103 and Cox Ridge Road (Claudville) 4. Correction of line of sight at the intersection of Cox Ridge Road, Hatcher’s Chapel Road and Gammons Road (Claudville) Mr. Dowd said he would try to incorporate these recommendations after the fact. The Board unanimously approved this Long Range Plan with the comments given. Claudville Clinic Roger Hayden reported that Pioneer Hospital was in the process of re-opening the Claudville Clinic on Route 103 by August or September. He said they would staff it Monday-Friday, from 8am-5pm. He said they were working on another clinic in Spencer and they were negotiating to operate the Danbury, NC hospital. All the Board members were very complimentary of the status and good results of Pioneer Hospital in Stuart. Tom Rose County Administrator Report Tom reported on the following items and received consensus by the Board to proceed on these projects: 1. New laser check printer that would save the County $1340 per year. 2. Vehicle service proposal covering the increased cost of oil changes 3. Contract with Milliman, Inc. a 3rd party auditor 4. Upcoming Contract renewals with various vendors Health Department Inspections of 501c3 organizations The Board discussed Health Department Inspections of 501c3 organizations that included benefits, festivals, EMS Award banquet, etc. No action was taken. Recreation Board Renting Rotary Building Karl Weiss made a motion to allow the Recreation Department to keep the $75 rental fee to cover their expenses. After a suggestion by Attorney Alan Black the motion was withdrawn. Smith Property on Lynn Drive-Ararat The Smith family estate of (Chris and Mabel Smith) has asked the 8 acre tract of land donated in 1997 for industrial development in Ararat be re-conveyed to the family since the county did not develop it in the minimum of 3 years as required by the deed. The Board went into Executive Session at 8:55pm to discuss personnel and real estate. Reported by Tom Bishop