February 2007

 

The regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m. on February 13, 2007 by Mayor Keith W. Clarke with the following present:

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, Wilbur Hardy, Harry S. Holman,

J. Grady Martin, Robert F. Pecht, III and Esther B. Sanderson; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Administrative Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Police Chief Douglas Pond; Scott Kelly, Code Enforcement Officer; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert; citizens and the press.

 

Absent: Council member H. B. Brockwell, Jr.

 

Roll was called.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to approve the minutes of the previous meeting with a spelling correction, suspend the reading and file. This motion was seconded by Mr. Martin and carried by all ayes.

 

CITIZENS CONCERNS

Mayor Clarke asked if any citizens present wanted to speak to Council. Elaine Cogsdale of HLRA stated that they are now officially a 501(C)(3).

 

Shirley Penn of 308 High Street asked to speak to Council concerning the sidewalk in front of her house. Ms. Penn stated that the sidewalk was in need of repair and she was unable to enter her driveway due to the curb. She stated that there was a lot of vandalizing in her neighborhood and her cars had been damaged and she wanted to get them off the street to prevent this happening. She also stated that she had made reports to the police and had seen no action. Ms. Penn stated that she had talked with Mr. Dean several times and been told to contact VDOT. James Wesson and Johnny Peebles of VDOT had told her to contact Mr. Dean. Mayor Clarke asked the Streets Committee to meet with Mr. Dean to see what could be done.

 

PROPOSED MEALS TAX ORDINANCE

Mr. Outten stated that Council had copies of the proposed meals tax ordinance and recommended advertising for a public hearing. Upon a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht to advertise for a Public Hearing on the proposed meals tax ordinance for the March meeting. This was seconded by Mr. Hardy and carried by all ayes.

 

TOWN MANAGER REPORTS

Mr. Dean reported that the Saint Pauls sewer replacement was on schedule; line B is almost ready for testing.

 

Mr. Dean stated that a Public Meeting was scheduled for February 15 at 7 P.M. on the Tobacco Heritage Trail.

 

A copy of the Mid-Atlantic Broadband RFP was in the packets. Mr. Dean stated that broadband would be coming to Lawrenceville soon.

 

CDBG - SIMMONS AND ROSE DRIVE

Mr. Dean stated that Southside Planning had requested a CDBG priorities list. Mr. Dean stated that the revitalization of downtown would be first on the Towns list. Mr. Dean also stated that the County was looking at Simmons Drive and Rose Drive and asked that the Town waive the water and sewer connection fee and to take over the system after completion. As this is something the Town has done in the past to help the County obtain the grant, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Martin to waive the connection fee. This was carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Dean reported that Norfolk Southern Railway is planning to abandon the rail line from the old Lawrenceville Brick plant to the new plant. The rail line from Brooks Crossings to the new Lawrenceville Brick plant will remain.

 

Mr. Dean stated that the County and SCORE are considering applying for a grant for 10 homes just outside of town, behind the Rescue Squad building. This would be for first time homeowners. There was a request that the Town waive the water and sewer connection fee on this project. There was some question as to the County applying for this grant or the one for Rose Dr. and Simmons Dr. After a discussion, the matter was tabled until more information was obtained.

 

CODE ENFORCEMENT

Mr. Kelly gave an overview of his report that was in the packets. He presented a list of things that had been completed and those in the works. Mr. Pecht thanked Mr. Kelly for the work he is doing.

 

Mr. Pecht stated that all committees needed to get with Mr. Dean or Mrs. Talbert concerning needs for the budget as soon as possible as the budget will need to be presented at the April meeting.

 

FIRE REPORT

Mrs. Bland reported that the fire department had responded to 26 calls in January with 7 in town and 19 out of town and two mutual aid calls. A total of 177.5 man-hours were expended. Mrs. Bland gave the following break down of calls: EMS  9; MVA  5; structure fire  4; smoke scare  4; disregard  2; brush fire  1; and grease fire  1.

 

PERSONNEL REPORT

Mr. Martin stated that the personnel committee had met on February 2. A new employee had been hired in February with CDL license. Mr. Martin stated that they hope to have the new employees cross-trained in water, wastewater and streets departments. The personnel committee will be meeting again shortly to discuss salaries and benefits for the budget.

 

 

 

POLICE REPORT

Mr. Hardy stated the police report was in the packets. Chief Pond had received a grant for new computers for the police department.

 

ARTISAN CENTER

Mr. Dean reported that he and Mrs. Bland and Mr. Brockwell had met with the County Administrator and two members of the Board of Supervisors to discuss possible use of the old primary school. The plan is to create an Artisan Center. A task force will be formed with Mr. Dean and two members of the Property and Equipment Committee representing the Town. The property and equipment committee will be meeting shortly to get information for the budget together.

 

Mr. Hardy reported that 5 part-time employees had been hired from surrounding towns to help at the water plant due to Mr. Spences illness.

 

Mr. Pecht stated that the airport report was in packets.

 

PROPOSED ZONING

Mr. Dean stated that the Planning Commission had met and it was their recommendation that a joint public hearing be advertised for the March meeting on the zoning of the property in the boundary line adjustment area. A motion was made by Mr. Hardy to advertise for a Public Hearing to be held at the March meeting on the proposed zoning of the property in the boundary line adjustment area. This was seconded by Mr. Pecht and carried by all ayes.

 

Under correspondence, Mrs. Talbert stated that a notice had been given out concerning an informational meeting on the South Brunswick School project to be held on Feb. 20 at 6 p.m.

 

PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to pay the bills as presented in the amount of $66,403.16 and charge to the proper funds. This was seconded by Mr. Hardy and carried by all ayes.

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Mr. Outten reported that he had reviewed the contract for CPC, Inc. to prepare the Towns Comprehensive Plan and the Council would need to authorize awarding the contract. A motion was made by Mr. Pecht authorizing Mayor Clarke or Mr. Dean to sign the contract. This was seconded by Mr. Hardy and carried by all ayes.

 

Mayor Clarke stated that a representative from the new cable company, SuddenLink, will be at the March meeting.

 

As there was no further business to come before Council, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Hardy to adjourn. This carried by all ayes.

 

 

 

Keith W. Clarke, Mayor

 

 

Alice B. Talbert: ATTEST