Clifton Forge, VA (May 24, 2016) - The Clifton Forge Town Council probably expected all hell to break loose at its meeting due to news that it planned to enact a substantial water and sewer rate increase for the coming fiscal year, but that didn't happen.
Of the approximately 25 people in attendance, only about four spoke about budgetary matters during comment time with one indicating that he planned to gather a far larger group to show up for the next reading of the ordinance which establishes higher water and sewer rates.
LeAnna Tyler, town finance director, gave a condensed presentation on the proposed budget and she emphasized that monies are not comingled between the various major funds of the town.
She added that a water rate agreement with Alleghany County is pending and that the county will be paying part of the engineering cost for town dam improvements. With respect to sewage rates, In a handout available to the public, she noted that "Previously, the town was responsible for debt on Selma, Sharon, and Iron Gate facilities as well as Clifton Forge facilities. Under the new agreement, Clifton Forge pays debt only for those facilities which it uses. The annual rate is calculated on debt and average sewage flow."
The town will see very little in the way of general revenue receipts, Tyler noted and no pay increase for town employees is proposed. The town's general fund revenue is expected to be about $2,885,099, up only a bit from this year's $2,863,499.
Resident Eddie Reynolds said he believed the town needed to some additional "tax base in here" and Todd Anderson, representing Jackson River Enterprises expressed a small bit of dissatisfaction with his organization getting about $15,000, down from about $18,000 last year.
Said town manager, Darlene Burcham: "Our total budget did not allow all organizations to be funded as they had been in the past. Your was not the only one not to get what was requested."
Town resident Rick LeBleu expressed concerns over the proposed water and sewer rate hikes and suggested that town positions currently advertised probably shouldn't be filled" to save money. "You're putting more burden on the backs of people who can't afford it," he opined. (Hear some of his comments at "LeBleu Speaks To Council).
Tyler pointed out that to make both the water and sewer funds balance, reserve funds from each are proposed to be tapped to hold down the increases in rates, with about $90,000 from the water fund reserve being used and about $50,000 from the sewer fund.
Town resident Clarence Cullis advised town council to keep the sewer lateral fund which is proposed to be dropped on July 1st. (Hear some of his comments at: Cullis Addresses Council).
Only about 46 homes so far have taken advantage of the cheap, $60 lateral clean-out rate offered by the town with about 14 left on the waiting list.
Cullis lectured council members on what he termed the "law of diminishing returns," indicating that higher sewer rates might mean an eventual lowering of the total customers on the system. "You do not have a captive audience in this community," he admonished council.
A second reading of the various ordinances establishing tax rates, water and sewer rates will be held on June 14th, another opportunity for local citizens to weigh in on the proposed real estate tax rate of 21 cents and personal property tax rate of $6.70, plus a water and sewer combined monthly rate of $105.
"What's Your Story?"
Local resident Joan Vanorsdall told council about a new project called "What's Your Story?", a storytelling concept that soon will result in the publishing of a book detailing memories of citizens about the Historic Masonic Theatre. She and her volunteer group have been interviewing residents about their memories of the theatre and "what matters to people."
The initial project will result in a book being made available for $18 on or before July 1st which will detail the memories of about 27 individuals who were interviewed on the theatre.
"Storytelling can bring people together," she said. "It's people listening to people.
She opined that local citizens have been encouraged by the revitalization effort since the Alleghany Highlands had been facing an "identity crisis."
"Storytellling has a way of validating history, values and hopes," she said.
Vanorsdall said that she believed citizen involvement is crucial and that her group wanted to include local school school students as well as those from DSLCC. "We are the only town in western Virginia that is doing a storytelling project," she said. "It will unify the highlands through our shared memories."
Apparently, the storytelling group has interviewed people between the ages of 11 and 98 to create a book of about 54 pages of high quality. There is even hope for a second printing.
(Other topics the group may engage includes the C&O Historical Society, the Clifton Forge Alumni Association and others).
Vanorsdall indicated that the group would soon make a grant application to the Alleghany Foundation to carry on its work. Donations to assist the group may be sent to the Clifton Forge Main Street Organization, 501 E. Ridgeway St., Clifton Forge, VA. 24422, she indicated.
Other Action
• town council approved the reading of several ordinances which will enact its various tax rates and water and sewer charges. The second reading and formal adoption may occur at its next meeting on June 14th.
• council approved its minutes of the May 10th meeting and that of May 17th as well.
• approved its consent agenda which included the various town department reports.
• noted that town offices will be close on May 30th from the Memorial Day holiday.
• noted the Summer Meals Program for Kids will begin June 6 and continue through Jul 28, 2016. Meals will be provided to all children 18 years or young free at Alleghany High School (11 a.m.-noon), Alleghany Highlands Regional Library (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), the Clifton Forge Fire Department (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) and Mountain View Elementary School (breakfast 8-9 a.m. and lunch11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.)
• The DMV2Go bus will be at town hall on June 14th from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
• a representative from Congressman Morgan Griffith's office will be available in the Armstrong Room at the Library from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, June 16th.
Town Manager's Comments
Burcham corrected an earlier statement made at the beginning of the meeting and indicated that the town had settle its sewer matter with Alleghany County for a total of $200,000 to be paid over five years at 0% interest or $40,000 per year. With the lawsuit claim at one time exceeding more than $1 million, that deal seemed like a homerun for the town.
• Burcham asked for more input via filled out broadband surveys.
• indicated that a June 11th painting project dealing with 3-4 local houses would occur and more volunteers would be appreciated.
• noted a June 18th Roxbury St. cleanup effort.
• told the audience about various acts of vandalism at the town's Skateboard park dealing with trash and damaged ramps which resulted in its closure on April 4th. At least one individual involved in the vandalism has been identified she said, with more a possibility. The park will reopen on Memorial Day, she said. This is the second time the town has had to deal with skateboard park vandalism, but this time, the damage was more severe.
She also indicated that the new Linden Park bathroom facilities already had been damaged and asked for nearby residents to report any suspicious activity there.
Council Member Comments
• council member Jeff Irvine remarked that, "I've heard your concerns (about tax, water and sewer rates)" and said that comments would be taken into consideration.
• council member Johnette Roberts told the audience that she appreciated "your comments" and said that the council had hard decisions to make. She thanked Vanorsdall for her presentation.
Roberts also reported that nine lower Roxbury Street home renovations were either underway or under contract. She said that the group was working to resolve problems with higher than expected bids on other homes projects. The group will meet again on June 16th.
• councilman Bob Umstead remarked that, "A decision has to be made. What we don't do now, we dump on our kids. It's not an easy decision." He also thanked Vanorsdall for her presentation.
• Mayor Carl Brinkley was absent, but was connected via telephone: "We appreciate all the input from town citizens," he said. "We have to have enough money to stay in business. The cost of living goes up every year."
• and vice mayor Gayle Hillert thanked both Tyler and Vanorsdall for their presentations. Additionally, she said,
We will listen to your comments. We need to protect and safeguard this community."
Council then voted unanimously to go into a closed session to deal with a personnel matter.
(Editor's note: town council apparently did make some adjustments to its sound system, because hearing the proceedings was far better than ever before. The public is thankful for this courtesy...)
|  | Todd Anderson, representing the Jackson River Enterprises, wasn't too happy about receiving less money for the next fiscal year. (Jerry E. Clark photo)
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