Clifton Forge, VA (April 26, 2016) - The Clifton Forge Town Council's Tuesday night meeting only lasted 30 minutes, but that was enough time for members to learn that its employee health care costs would soar 8% for the next fiscal year, costing the town an additional $23,200.
The town currently pays the employee's share of the plan, but the increase amounts to about $45 per month per employee. Those employees who wish to purchase a more expensive Expanded plan have to foot that bill themselves.
Stern Greeted
R. Meade Snyder, president of the Masonic Theatre Foundation, showed up to introduced Jeff Stern, the new Executive Director. For the vast majority of Mr. Stern's comments, watch the video here.
Heritage Days
John Hillert appeared to present a slideshow which detailed the many aspects of Alleghany Highlands Heritage Days and C&O Railway Heritage Festival which will occur on June 3 and 4 in various places downtown.
Hillert noted that the event is "the most comprehensive and collaborative event ever," and is in its 5th year.
There will be food, music, all sorts of events, Civil War history, and at least 80 artists and artisans are expected to show up. Hillert's estimate is that at least 2,000-3,000 people will attend the festivities. Click here for many more details of the exciting events planned.
Action Items
• council unanimously approved a request from the Alleghany Christian Ministerial Association to use the front step0s of Town Hall on may 5, 2016 from 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. for the 65th Annual National Day of Prayer event.
• council unanimously approved a request from Clifton Forge Main Street to close Commercial Avenue between Ridgeway and Main St. on Friday's from 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. from May 6, 2016 through September 30, 2016 in order to hold the Downtown Market. (There may not be much in the way of produce available on the first day of the market, but Mother's Day special gifts are expected to be available, Town Manager Burcham mentioned).
• council unanimously approved a request from Clifton Forge Main Street for permission to close Church Street between Jefferson and Commercial from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on May 21, 2016 to help facilitate the finish line of the triathlon at the Amphitheatre.
• council accepted the town departmental reports unanimously as well.
Town Manager Comments
Town Manager Darlene Burcham explained that more paving downtown on Ridgeway and Main Street will occur soon and would be completed by the first of June. This will include milling and paving as well as remarking as was done in the first phase in early April.
Burcham expressed delight that the Little League Opening Day at Linden Park appeared to be a big success and noted that naming rights for various parts of the park were still available to any donor. The town still lacks some playground equipment for smaller children, she said. "We hope to get the word out on this," she said.
Information Items
• a representative from Congressman Griffith's office will be available in the Armstrong Room at the library from 10 a.m. - noon on Thursday, May 19, 2016.
• Town offices will be closed on May 30, 2016 for the Memorial Day holiday.
• Downtown Market opens Friday, May 6 at 7:30 a.m. and continues through September 30th.
• Jammin at the Mill (Clifton Forge School of the Arts) is set Friday, May 20, 2016 at 7 p.m.
• Preschool Story Time at the Clifton Forge Public Library is set Tuesday, may 17, 2016 from 11 a.m. - noon.
Council Comments
Council members Jeff Irvine, Johnette Roberts and Rob Umstead all greeted the new Executive Director of the Masonic Theatre, wished him well and thanked John Hillert for his efforts at the Masonic Theatre.
Councilwoman Gayle Hillert thanked all the participants of last week's town cleanup effort and indicated that a painting day was set for June 11th - the goal of both is the cleanup the corridors to the town, she said.
Council then went into executive session to discuss a real estate and personnel matter, the result of which was not immediately known.
(Few members of the public showed up for the brief meeting, but even if they did, they would have needed hearing aids. Council members' comments can barely be heard due to a very poor (virtually non-existent) amplification system. Despite comments from the public in the past about this situation, nothing appears to have been done.) |  | John Hillert, one of the chief movers and shakers behind the extensive plans and operations of the Alleghany Highlands Heritage Festival addresses the Clifton Forge Town Council as he presented a detailed slideshow. (Staff photo by Jerry E. Clark)
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