October 13, 2009

 

Mayor Douglas R. Pond opened the regular meeting of the Lawrenceville Town Council on October 13, 2009, at 7:30 p.m.

 

ROLL CALL

Roll was called with the following present:  Mayor Douglas R. Pond; Council members: Joyce D. Bland, H. B. Brockwell, Jr., Dora D. Hardy, Harry S. Holman, Scott E. Martin and Robert F. Pecht, III; Police Chief, Everette L. Gibson; Administrative Assistant, Wanda Johnson; Town Clerk, Alice B. Talbert and the press.

 

Absent: Council member, Esther Sanderson; Town Attorney, W. C. Outten, Jr.; Town Manager, C. J. Dean.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

 

A motion was made by Mr. Brockwell and seconded by Mr. Holman to approve the minutes of the Special Call Meeting on October 6th, suspend the reading and file.  This motion carried by all ayes.

 

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Pond had a shirt for Council to see with the Town’s new trademark.  The shirt sells for $26.00 and is from Trinity Embroidery in South Hill.  Mayor Pond  also had a t-shirt for Rails to Trails that can be purchased for $10.00.

 

Mayor Pond reported that the Taste of Brunswick was a success and that he had sold one of the historic maps and set of pictures of downtown Lawrenceville.

 

Mayor Pond reported that Mr. Dean is still in the hospital and doing therapy.  Mayor Pond stated that we would be setting up computer hookup so he can work from home.

 

Mayor Pond stated that work on the trail this week will be from Mike Green’s Shop to the old brick plant and  they will be working on the second bridge also.

 

Mayor Pond reported that Officer Donnie Layton is in critical condition and at this point is home and going for treatment.  Mayor Pond asked that members go by to see him if possible and to keep him in their prayers.

 

Mayor Pond stated that the new generator still had wiring to be done and that the estimated time the office would be out for the switch over would be 3 hours.

 

Mayor Pond stated that he, Mrs. Bland and Mr. Pecht had gone on the bus to Richmond in protest of the prison closing and he met Mr. Clements from Hunton and Williams, our lobbyist.  Mayor Pond stated that he has sent information to Mr. Clements.

 

Mayor Pond reported that Mr. Outten was out sick.

 

The Board of Zoning had met and rejected a request by Donald Cannon to put a car lot in town with out paving as required in our Zone Ordinance.

 

Mayor Pond stated that a copy of the Proclamation in opposition to closing of Brunswick Correctional Center was in the packets.

 

Mayor Pond stated that the town elections would be next May and he would like to run for Mayor at that time.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Mr. Pecht reported that the town was a little ahead of last year according to the financial statement but we have not experienced the impact of the closing of the prison yet.  Mr. Dean was working on cost and the impact the closing will cause.

 

Mr. Pecht also stated that Mr. Dean was working on the Managers Report for the audit before his accident.  Mrs. Williams, our auditor, wants the town to comment on the closing in his report.

 

Mr. Pecht stated that the town is holding off on the sewer project until we can get an idea of what is happening and that the finance committee will be meeting soon.

 

BIDS ON WTP PROJECT

Bids on the Water Treatment Plant project are in the packets.  The bids came in higher than expected.  Mayor Pond stated that notice had been received that the Tobacco Grant in the amount of $75,000 had been approved and some other options were being looked into for the additional funding.

 

FIRE REPORT

Mr. Holman stated that the fire report was in the packets.  Mayor Pond stated that the annual Halloween Parade would be October 30th  with hot dogs and drinks in the firehouse.

 

POLICE GRANT

Mrs. Bland stated the police report was in the packets.  Chief Gibson reported that a V-STOP Grant had been applied for.  This grant is for an officer who will cover all crimes against women.  He stated that he had been encouraged to apply by a victim witness services representative.  The grant has a 25% in kind that would be the equipment needed and the grant would provide for a full time officer for a period of 2 years.  Chief Gibson should know December 31st if we receive this grant.

 

STREETS COMMITTEE-PARKING CONCERN

Mayor Pond had received a request from a citizen concerning the parking at the corner of Main Street and Bank Street.  He asked that the Streets Committee check on the possible restriction of compact cars only being allowed to park at the corner on the Courthouse side.

 

DEMO OF HOUSE TABLED

Mayor Pond stated that Mr. Dean had received a price of $5,000 to tear down the house behind China King.  After a discussion, Mr. Pecht asked that this be tabled until the November meeting.

 

RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR OLD FIREHOUSE

Mayor Pond asked the Property and Equipment Committee to come up with the rules and regulations for use of the old firehouse.  He stated that he had received a request for use by the Museum to hold art classes and they wanted to start the first of the year.  Mayor Pond asked that the committee have this information at the November meeting.

 

INCENTIVES FOR NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Pond stated that J D Somers and his wife wanted to know what incentives were available to new businesses.  They are interested in opening a mini mart in the building behind the old Hometown Furniture Store.  After a discussion, Mayor Pond stated that he wanted  incentives the town can do now.  Mayor Pond asked the Town Development Committee to meet and have something for the November meeting.

 

Mayor Pond reported that Scott Kelly, our housing code enforcer, had moved.

 

Mr. Holman reported that Saint Paul’s College had received a grant to repair the James Solomon Russell house on campus but had hit a snag with asbestos.

 

APPROVAL OF AIRPORT BILLS

Mr. Pecht made a motion to approve the airport bills as presented for fiscal year 08/09 in the amount of $15,649.89.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

Mrs. Talbert stated that Council had in their packets a letter from Virginians for the Arts.  This was for information only as we already support the ArtBank.

 

Thank you notes from Mrs. Talbert and her sisters  and from Lutheran Chapel Church was in the packets for a donation made in memory of her Mother.

 

Mrs. Talbert reminded everyone of the Halloween Parade to be held on October 30, 2009, and asked for donations of money or candy.

 

Also the Christmas Parade has been set for December 4th at 7:30 p.m.

 

Flu shots will be given on October 23 for employees and Council members.  Mrs. Talbert asked that anyone wishing to get a shot let the office know by Oct. 15.

 

APPROVAL OF FUNDS FOR PARADES

Mrs. Talbert asked that Council approve the expenditure of up to $100 for the Halloween Parade and up to $500 for the Christmas Parade.  This is the same requested in the past.  A motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Brockwell to approve the expenditure if needed of $100 for the Halloween Parade and $500 for the Christmas Parade.  This carried by all ayes.

 

Mr. Brockwell announced that the Lions Club and ROTC from Brunswick High School would be holding a Haunted House this year at the old Star Value Store. 

 

PAYMENT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Mr. Pecht to pay the bills as received in the amount of $81,653.79 and charge to the proper funds.  This was seconded by Mr. Brockwell and carried by all ayes.

 

Mayor Pond was asked to contact Mark Novey with Telpage concerning the high-speed wireless.

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before Council, a motion was made by Mr. Pecht and seconded by Mr. Martin to adjourn.  This carried by all ayes.

 

 

Douglas R. Pond, Mayor

 

 

Alice B. Talbert, Clerk