August, 2000

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke called the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council to order at 7:30 p.m. on August 8, 2000, with the following present:

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Wilbur Hardy, William E. James, John J. Miller, Jr., Michael F. Moorman and Robert F. Pecht, III.;  Town Attorney, W. C. Outten,  Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean; Police Chief, Douglas R. Pond; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert, citizens and the press.

 

Mr. Hardy opened the meeting with a prayer after which roll was called.

 

A motion was made by Mr. James and seconded by Mr. Pecht to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, suspend the reading and file.  Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

The Housing Code enforcement report was presented to members.

 

                                                CITIZEN CONCERNS

Ron Vetere of Windsor Ave thanked Council for the new truck route signs but stated that he felt nothing was being done about the speeding traffic on Windsor.  He presented the Mayor with a list of 7 questions he wanted answered and went over his questions with Council. Mayor Clarke stated that several of his questions had already been addressed.  New signage is in place for the truck route; resurfacing of Windsor has started; VDOT has informed the Town that the use of Rt. 695/5th Avenue as the official truck bypass is not feasible.  Beginning September 1, 2000, tickets will be given for not following the truck route and the Police Committee is in charge of reporting to Council.  The Town can enforce speeding on clear violations but has no authority to set the route trucks take.  This is a matter controlled by VDOT.

 

Mayor Clarke, Chief Pond and Mr. Dean have discussed asking VDOT to include in their next 6-year plan a study of  a 46 bypass for truck traffic.  VDOT is going to move the stopbar at the traffic light back to allow more space for trucks turning on the Rt. 46.

 

Mr. Miller thanked Mr. Vetere for bringing these matters to Council’s attention.  However Mr. Miller stated the letter sent by Mr. Vetere to citizens on Windsor Ave contained inaccuracies as to what went on in the police committee meeting.  Mr. Miller asked that Mr. Vetere write another letter to the citizens explaining what actually happened.

 

Mr. Kenneth Saunders of Brunswick Manor on Union Street asked to speak to Council concerning a problem he had with dogs.  Mr. Saunders is sight impaired and uses a Seeing Eye dog to get around town.  On walking to the grocery store, his dog was involved in an incident with other dogs on High Street.  His dog was not hurt but Mr. Saunders was walked into a pole in an attempt by his dog to get him away.  Mr. Saunders stated that he feels there is a need for a leash law.

 

Mr. Harold Parrish asked what was being done on the matter of a leash law and stated that something needed to be done.

 

Mr. Dennis Watson of Walnut Street reported that his son’s house at 705 Third Avenue was flooded on the 24th of July during the heavy rains.  Mr. Watson stated that the flooding was caused by the pipe under the railroad being blocked.  The railroad has told him that the pipe was cleaned out.  Both the Town’s insurance carrier, VML, and the Railroad have denied claim.  Mr. Watson stated that he had reported children blocking the creek and nothing had been done.  Mayor Clarke asked that Mr. Dean check with our insurance carrier to see if the claim was treated as “no fault”.

 

                                    DOGS RUNNING AT LARGE

Mr. Outten presented copies of a draft ordinance that would make it unlawful for dogs to run at large and owners would be charged with a Class 4 Misdemeanor.  Mr. Moorman questioned the ordinance not being a leash law and stating dogs need to be on a leash or fenced in or chained to the property.  Mr. Outten stated that the Town can not force owners to fence their yards or chain their animals.  A motion was made by Mr. James and seconded by Mr. Moorman to advertise for a Public Hearing at the September meeting on the proposed dog ordinance.  The motion was carried.

 

                                                REQUEST TO CLOSE ALLEY

Mr. Outten reported that a request had been received to close an unopened alley running from S. Main St. to S. Hicks St. The alley is next door to Virginia Jones and the house next to her that is for sale.  Mr. Outten stated that a Public Hearing would have to be held and a panel of viewers appointed.  A motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mr. Hardy to advertise for a Public Hearing at the September meeting.  Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                                CIVIL PENALTIES

Mr. Outten had met with Dennis LeBlanc concerning civil penalties for violation of the Uniform Statewide Building Code.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. James to advertise for a Public Hearing to consider the adoption of an ordinance imposing civil penalties for violations of the Uniform Statewide Building Code.  This was seconded by Mrs. Bland and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

Mr. Dean thanked everyone for their help during the flood and water crisis.

 

                                                RESOLUTION – S-LINE ROUTE

Copies of a resolution in support of the S-line route for the High Speed Rail was given to Council.  Mr. Dean stated that both the Town of Alberta and the County had adopted similar resolutions.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to adopt the presented resolution and authorize the Mayor to sign said resolution.  This was seconded by Mr. Hardy and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                                COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Pecht asked members to look over the new layout of the financial statement and advise if anything needed to be changed.  The summary on the first page will be moved to page 4.

 

Mr. Hardy reported that a new police officer had been hired and will start on August 15th.  Officer Smith is in school and will be there until December.   Mr. Moorman asked if the report format Mr. Vetere presented was being considered and if it would be possible to get a camera that takes pictures of heavy trucks crossing the bridge in violation of the truck route.  It was pointed out that once truckers are made aware of the truck route, violators will be ticketed.

 

                                                RENT AT OLD FIREHOUSE

Mr. Brockwell stated that the recommendation for the rent on the old firehouse be increased from $125 to $150.  A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to increase the rent at the old firehouse to $150, with 30-day notification, for the next 12 months on a month to month basis.  This was seconded by Mr. Moorman and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                    MARKING OF CEMETERY LOTS

Mrs. Bland stated that a proposal had been received from Julian Moore to mark cemetery lots at Oakwood Park Cemetery in the amount of $3,440.00.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mrs. Bland to accept the proposal to mark the cemetery lots at a cost of $3,440.  This was seconded by Mr. Moorman and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

Mr. Moorman reported that the South Hicks Street phase of Dream 2000 is awaiting approval from VDOT to advertise for bids.  He hopes to have final release by Friday and hopefully construction to start either September or October.  Plans are being worked on for the Courthouse phase and hopefully will be ready by next week.

 

Mr. Moorman stated that the Town Development is working on a packet to hand out showing incentives for persons fixing up property.

 

Mr. Hardy commended all departments on the work during the flood. He stated that the second filter has been installed but is not up to full service yet.  Mr. Hardy also reminded everyone that the Town would be on conserve water mode from Friday until Sunday, August 11-August 13.

 

Mr. Brockwell stated that everyone with the Dixie Belle World Series seemed to be enjoying their stay.  He encouraged everyone to attend the games.  Mr. Brockwell also commended the Brunswick team in their efforts.

 

                                                PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS

A motion was made by Mr. Moorman and seconded by Mr. Hardy to approve the bills in the amount of $39,060.82 and charge to the proper accounts.  Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                                ZONING ADMINISTRATOR

A motion was made by Mr. James to appoint C. J. Dean as Zoning Administrator to fill the unexpired term of Douglas Pond.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                                      JAKE BRAKES

Mr. Brockwell made a motion to have an ordinance drafted making jake brakes unlawful.  This was seconded by Mr. James and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

                                               

A motion was made by Mr. James to draft a resolution to VDOT and the County asking that a 46 bypass be included in their next 6-year plan.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                                EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Brockwell made a motion to go into Executive Session for legal matters.  This was seconded by Mrs. Bland and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

After a discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Miller and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to return to Regular Session.  Voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                                CERTIFICATION

A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell to certify that no matter were discussed other than that stated in the motion and no action was taken.  This was seconded by Mr. Miller and voting aye: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

                                                     TAX RATE

Mr. Pecht made a motion to hold a Public Hearing at the September meeting concerning the tax rate on real estate remaining the same as last year.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and voting aye were the following: Bland, Brockwell, Hardy, James, Miller, Moorman and Pecht.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

 

__________________MAYOR

Keith W. Clarke

 

 

 

__________________ATTEST