At Monday night’s meeting of the Buchanan Town Council, Town Manager Tim Mack provided council members with a written report summarizing recent financial work, utility maintenance and administrative updates across town operations in town.
In the finance and treasurer’s office, staff continues converting municipal accounting systems from QuickBooks to Southern Software while also completing routine tasks such as payroll processing and accounts payable. The department also renewed the town’s TLC health insurance coverage and completed a required “My Values Survey” associated with the town’s renewal through the Virginia Risk Sharing Association. Finance staff also began reconciliation work for the fiscal year 2025 audit and have assisted at the Town Hall front desk as needed while coordinating with JL Computers to address phone system issues.
Public works and utilities crews addressed several infrastructure issues in recent weeks. Crews serviced and repaired the town’s jetter equipment and completed approximately 30 feet of sewer line repairs. Additional work included repairing a sewer line on Lowe Street and responding to a sewer backup on Spottswood Avenue. In both cases, crews jetted the lines to ensure the blockages were cleared. An air leak was also repaired at the wastewater treatment plant.
During routine meter readings, workers discovered two water meters that were offline and ordered replacements. Staff also jetted the main sewer line along Main Street, which temporarily caused a backup into a nearby barber shop, and performed similar maintenance on Second Street. Public Works employees are also developing a new process to better mark hard-to-find water meters to improve the efficiency of monthly readings. Other recent maintenance included servicing a town Gator utility vehicle and replacing its tires, along with ongoing efforts to inventory and organize town tools and equipment.
Mack’s report also highlighted several ongoing town projects and community updates. The town recently received a $94,500 Brownfields Development grant through the Virginia Brownfields Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund Program to support environmental remediation at the site of the former Buchanan High School. Under the arrangement, the town will act as a pass-through agency for the funds. A developer will complete the environmental work, submit documentation to the state and, once approved, reimbursement will be issued through the town.
Town officials have also been communicating with Bill Roberts and his family, owners of the building that houses the Buchanan Post Office, about plans to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the post office’s establishment in the town this summer. Roberts and his daughter have proposed hosting a small celebration in July, possibly in Town Hall around the time of a council meeting, with refreshments available to the public.
The town is also seeking one additional member for its Board of Zoning Appeals to fill a four-year term. Although the board currently has enough members to conduct meetings, officials said having a fifth member is recommended. The town plans to advertise the opening and later present potential candidates to council for appointment.
With Inboden Environmental Services now serving as the town’s principal utility operator and maintenance provider, staff is conducting a joint inventory of town-owned equipment. The review has identified several unused or nonworking items, and staff is seeking guidance from council on how those items should be handled.
Mack also reported that the town has been coordinating with officials in Botetourt County regarding the future of the Buchanan Library. Public input on the project was split roughly evenly between renovating the current facility or relocating the library to a site near Dollar General. However, estimates for relocating the library exceeded the project’s budget, so county officials are expected to seek authorization from the Board of Supervisors to proceed with renovating the existing structure. If approved, the library would close for approximately 12 to 18 months during construction, with limited services offered at a temporary location.
Residents were also notified of a proposed rate increase from the Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative, which plans to apply to the State Corporation Commission on March 13 for approval of higher rates beginning May 1. Under the proposal, residential members using about 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month would see an average increase of about $7.31. Customers will have 30 days after the application is filed to request a hearing on the matter.
In administrative updates, Mack announced the hiring of a new special events coordinator, Jessica Bates, who began working for the town on Feb. 9. Bates will help coordinate community events, allowing the town to phase out its part-time special projects coordinator position.
Finally, the town is preparing for a major website migration beginning in late March. The project will move the town’s online presence to a new platform through CivicPlus, with a targeted launch date in July. Officials said the redesigned website will provide a more modern appearance and expanded interactive features for residents.
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
