FEBRUARY 8, 2010

 

     Virginia: At a regular meeting of the Council for the Town of Chatham, held at the Chatham Fire Station at 7:00 P.M. on February 8, 2010.

 

                      Present: George O. Haley, Mayor

                               Robert Thompson, Vice Mayor     

 

 Council Members: Roy Byrd, Alvin Crider, C.B. Cundiff, Jim McDole, and Joe Rogers.

 

Attorney: Larry Gott.

 

     The Pledge of Allegiance and the Invocation was lead by Mayor Haley.

 

     Council on motion of Byrd and seconded by Rogers approved the following add-ons to the Agenda: 1. Approval of generator for the Wastewater Plant, 2. Approval of SMC Chemical Monitor 3. Letter to Dominion Resources, 4. Discussion on sidewalk easements.

 

The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Thompson, Rogers, Cundiff, Crider, McDole, and Byrd.

 

     Council on a motion by Rogers seconded by Cundiff approved the Agenda.

 

The Vote: Aye Council Members; Crider, Cundiff, Thompson, Rogers, Byrd, and McDole.

 

     Revitalization Committee Chairman Ben Davenport stated that his committee recommends to Council approval of the contract with VA Tech. The contract would provide a beautification study for the Town and its approaches. The cost is $16,957.00. The study encompasses model ordinances, grant research, Main Street façade designs, utilization of proposed trail, and general visual improvements.

 

Council approved the contract on motion by Rogers seconded by Crider.

 

The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Rogers, McDole, Crider, Cundiff, and Byrd. Nay: Council Member Thompson.

 

     Walter Whittle reported that he has hired Carlos McCoy to rehabilitate the “street car” property at the corner of Main St. and Depot St. He said the streetcar will be removed and he hopes to convert and use the corner location as a business.

 

Mayor Haley requested that Attorney Gott keep council informed on this issue.

 

     Glenn Giles and Langhorne Jones representing The Pittsylvania Historical Society requested that council waive the hookup fees for water and sewer to the Chatham Train Station. The restoration of the building has been an on going project since 1979 and, to date, the Town has made no financial contributions. Giles further stated that aid is needed from the Town with in-kind services on various landscaping projects at the site.

 

On a motion by Crider seconded by Rogers council approved waiving the hook up fees.

 

The Vote: Aye: Council Members; McDole, Byrd, Cundiff, Crider, and Rogers. Nay: Council Member Thompson.

 

On a motion by Cundiff seconded by McDole Council approved the Consent Agenda including all salaries and bills paid and unpaid in the amount of $120,702.95.

 

The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Byrd, Rogers, Thompson, Crider, McDole, and Cundiff.

 

     Councilman Byrd reported that Timothy Riker and Nathan Roach have accepted the positions with the Town Police Department. They will begin their duties by March 1, 2010.

 

     On a motion by Thompson seconded by Byrd council approved the low bid of Stanley Paving in the amount of $15,700 to pave Court Place as a result of the water main break in December 2009.

 

The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Thompson, Rogers, Crider, Cundiff, Byrd, and McDole.

 

     On motion by Cundiff seconded by Rogers council approved the annual audit report for the Town of Chatham performed by Harris, Harvey, Neal & Co. for the fiscal period ending June 30, 2009.

 

The Vote: Aye: Council Members; Cundiff, McDole, Thompson, Byrd, Rogers, and Crider.

 

     Councilman Byrd said that the town should consider the purchase of a system that will monitor added chemicals to the purification process. The money saved could be significant. He asked Bob Hanson to obtain a price.

 

Byrd discussed with council the dire need for a back up generator for the Wastewater Plant. The weather and power outages during this winter season have caused many problems. The cost for a generator is $32.6k installed. He said the expenditure should be considered for the 2010-11 budget.

 

Byrd asked that the town send a request to Dominion Resources to reroute power lines on Davis Road that lead to the wastewater plant. Snow and ice have disrupted service numerous times this winter.

 

Mr. Hanson said he would contact VA Power concerning the matter.

 

     Councilman Rogers stated the council should consider asking the county and state for easement usage of sidewalks within the town limits. He said that the town walkways are an eyesore and the town should have control over them.

 

Councilman Thompson said that the town would be accepting a huge liability responsibility in taking such action.

 

Mayor Haley referred the issue to the Streets Committee for study and recommendation.

 

     Councilman McDole informed council that the Ordinance Committee will study a flood insurance ordinance for the town.

 

 

 

     Having no further business council was adjourned.

 

 

 

                                 _____________________________

                                 Mayor

 

 

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