March 8, 2005

 

The regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council was called to order on March 8, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Keith W. Clarke with the following present:

 

Mayor Keith W. Clarke; Council Members:  Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Wilbur Hardy, John J. Miller, Jr., Dean Woodrow Packer and Robert F. Pecht, III; Town Attorney W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager C. J. Dean; Police Chief Douglas R. Pond; Director of Public Works Randy Lynch; Administrative Assistant Wanda Johnson and citizens.

 

Absent:  Michael F. Moorman and Alice Talbert, Clerk.

 

Roll was called.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Miller to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, suspend the reading and file.  This carried by all ayes.

 

Mayor Clarke amended the agenda to move the Brunswick Garden Club request from New Business to just after Recognition of Citizens.

 

DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION

J. D. Somers spoke about the Downtown Revitalization meeting held on March 3, 2005.  He reported there is a positive attitude and real desire to get started on a few projects.  Several project ideas were discussed.  The Downtown Revitalization meeting will be held on the first Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m.

 

BRUNSWICK GARDEN CLUB

Kay Outten presented a request by the Brunswick Garden Club to undertake landscape improvements at the Oakwood Cemetery and Oakwood Park.  The Brunswick Garden Club would like permission to proceed with the project at its own expense with no expectation of financial assistance from the Town.  Mrs. Bland reported the committee is in approval.  A motion was made by Mr. Miller to approve the request by the Brunswick Garden Club to proceed with the project at no expense to the Town.  This received a second by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Outten stated he had no formal report.

 

Mr. Dean handed out pins from VML commemorating the 100th anniversary of VML. 

 

Mr. Dean stated the next Downtown Revitalization meeting will be April 7, 2005.  Mayor Reamy of Boydton will be invited to speak. 

 

CLEAN UP WEEK

Clean Up Week has been set for April 18-23, 2005, in time for Garden Week and the Brunswick Spring Festival on April 23, 2005. 

 

HISTORICAL MARKERS

Mr. Dean reported that historical markers cost $1295.00 per sign for the official 3 ½’ x 10’ brown signs.  There is a $250.00 application fee per sign for the historical markers.  A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to authorize $500.00 from the downtown funds to pay for two sign applications.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

WASTE MANAGEMENT HEARING

Mr. Dean reported Brunswick County will hold a public hearing on a waste management plan March 16, 2005.  This is required by DEQ and Lawrenceville falls under the County plan.

 

AUDIT

Mr. Pecht reported the audit is still not complete.  Mrs. Williams continues to work on it.  Mr. Pecht asked council to be on the lookout for it and be prepared to review and meet on it.  All departments need to get requests in quickly for a proposed budget for the April meeting.  Mr. Pecht also gave a brief overview of the financial statement.

 

FIRE REPORT

Dean Packer reported that the fire department answered 22 calls in February, 3 in town and 19 out of town.  Dean Packer gave a break down of the calls.

 

POLICE REPORT

Mr. Hardy reported Officer Clary and Chief Pond completed in-service training at the Academy in Lynchburg.

 

ENGINEERING RFP

Mr. Dean reported the Health Department has recommended that the Town of Lawrenceville go together with the Town of Alberta for an Engineering RFP for the TTHM problem.  The Water/Wastewater Committee will meet to discuss this.

 

RENTAL INSPECTION PROGRAM

Mrs. Bland gave a report on a proposed rental inspection program.  After a discussion, a motion was made by Mrs. Bland to advertise for a public hearing at the April meeting for a rental inspection ordinance and the bounds of the district.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

APPROVAL FOR AIRPORT USE

Mr. Pecht recommended approval for the use of the Brunswick/Lawrenceville Airport by the Brunswick Academy Association for its Virginia Beef and Diary Festival and by the Lawrenceville Lions Club for its Annual Seafood Festival.  A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to approve the airport use for both festivals subject to approval by the airport commission and subject to the same conditions for insurance and guarantees.  This was seconded by Mr. Miller and carried by all ayes.

 

PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mr. Hardy and seconded by Mr. Pecht to pay the bills as presented in the amount of $46,856.58 and charge to the proper accounts.  This was carried by all ayes.

 

SUPPORT FOR CDBG PROGRAM

Mr. Dean reported a letter was received from the Southside Planning District Commission urging support, in the form of a letter from the Town to our Senators and Congressmen, to keep funding for the Community Development Block Grant program.  It was reported there is a proposal in the President’s budget to eliminate this program.  A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to write a resolution expressing extreme concern over the possible loss of these funds.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Brockwell reminded everyone a new season will soon begin at the ballpark.

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by a motion from Mr. Miller and a second by Mr. Brockwell.  This carried by all ayes.

 

 

 

___________________________MAYOR

 

 

 

___________________________ATTEST