By Matt de Simone
The Fincastle Town Council met on Wednesday, September 11, with Mayor Mary Bess Smith providing the Town Manager’s Report in place of Town Manager Melanie McFadyen, who was out of town attending the Virginia Women’s Municipal Leadership Institute from September 11 through 13.
Smith announced that the sidewalk construction project along Main Street—from Monroe to Hancock—has been completed, marking a key improvement in pedestrian access and safety in the downtown area.
The town has also made progress on several grant applications. The Aid to Localities (ATL) grant application, which provides pass-through funds for the Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department, has been submitted. Those funds are expected to be made available on September 19. In addition, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Business District Revitalization application was submitted on Aug. 26.
If approved, the funds will support a range of improvements within the town’s central business area. A brief discussion was held about the town’s tentative plan for a façade improvements project, should the CDBG grant be awarded. Details are still being finalized, and a basic outline was included in this month’s meeting agenda. The town expects to receive an update on the status of the application by late fall.
The mayor also provided an update on nuisance properties. All but one of the property owners contacted in July have taken steps to clean up their lots. The town is continuing to work on resolving issues related to PODS placement and two additional properties.
Work continues on the updated Hazard Mitigation Plan being developed by the Roanoke Valley–Alleghany Regional Commission. That plan is expected to be completed and presented to Town Council at the December meeting.
The Planning Commission will hold its next regular meeting on September 25 at 7 p.m.
Several upcoming community events were also noted. The Historic Fincastle Festival will take place on Sept. 27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout Historic Fincastle. The VA250 Mobile Museum will be on site during the event. Accompanying the Mobile Museum during Festival weekend on Sept. 26 (from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.) and Sept. 27 (from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) will be a “Fincastle Tea Party” featuring iced tea, punch, goodies, and learning about the state’s history.
The Fincastle First Bank 5K and 10K races are scheduled for Oct. 18 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Trick-or-treating will be held on Halloween night, Oct. 31, from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. A costume contest may also take place. The town is working with the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Department to coordinate the evening, seeking sponsors with local entities to help provide candy for residents who wish to hand out treats.
The next regular meeting of the Fincastle Town Council is scheduled for October 9.
