Buchanan fared well during a major winter storm that swept through the region Jan. 24, avoiding significant utility disruptions or infrastructure damage, Town Manager Timothy Mack reported to Town Council at its Feb. 9 meeting.
In the meeting’s agenda packet, Mack said the storm was the first high-impact winter weather event to hit the area in several years. While town staff received multiple calls from residents concerned about snow removal, he noted that conditions — including freezing rain on top of snow and single-digit temperatures — made road clearing especially challenging.
Despite the difficulties, Mack said the storm highlighted areas where the town can improve its response ahead of future severe weather events. Among the lessons learned were the need to ensure fire hydrants remain accessible, to improve parking plans for staff during emergencies and to provide more frequent snow removal updates on the town website in coordination with the Virginia Department of Transportation.
In other updates, Mack reported that staff recently attended a public information meeting regarding ongoing work along the Interstate 81 corridor. The overall I-81 improvement project includes 65 individual phases, such as widening a 30-mile stretch of highway to three lanes, installing sound barriers, improving interchange lighting and replacing eight bridges.
The phase affecting the Buchanan area will focus on work between mile markers 143 and 150 and is expected to involve night construction, flagging operations, concrete barriers and reduced speed limits of 60 mph.
Mack also said town staff met with Cheryl Morales, director of community relations for VBR, a regional organization focused on economic development and marketing. Morales is scheduled to present to Town Council in March to outline opportunities and initiatives available to Buchanan.
Mack described VBR as a key resource as the town advances its status with the Virginia Main Street Program, implements elements of the Rural Economies for Rural Communities Plan and works toward adoption of a new comprehensive plan.
On the administrative front, Mack announced the hiring of a new special events coordinator. Jessica Bates began her position Feb. 9, allowing the town to phase out its part-time special projects coordinator role.
Mack also commended Town Clerk Hannah Crawford for her expanding responsibilities and performance, particularly in public communications. He praised Crawford’s work managing the town’s Facebook page, reorganizing the town website and launching Buchanan’s first-ever Instagram account, noting that these efforts will support future marketing and branding initiatives.
The manager reported that town staff will soon transition to personalized email addresses. While existing generic email accounts will remain active, they will no longer be regularly monitored after Dec. 31, 2026. Autoreplies will be added to inform the public of the transition, which Mack said will reduce delays and improve communication.
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
