Buchanan Town Council approved a change to the Town Code that creates an Urban Archery Hunting Program and agreed that the town manager and town attorney should discuss how the town can accommodate two current requests to use the Town Park for private events.

The Urban Archery Program will allow bow hunting for deer during the season designated by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. There are a number of stipulations for the season that is designed to reduce challenges with deer and gardens and deer/vehicle accidents in the town limits. Those include having property owners that allow bow hunting to register with the Town Office and safety stipulations that require hunting only from elevated stands.

The issue about using the Town Park for private events came up because the Buchanan Area Ministerial Association (BAMA) and New Freedom Farms both asked council to allow private events on the Lowe Street property.

BAMA, through Buchanan Baptist Church, asked to use the Town Park for five evenings in June for “open air” evangelistic services like a tent revival. BAMA asked to be able to set up a tent with chairs for services June 9-13 from 6-9 p.m.

Lois Fritz, who owns New Freedom Farm, asked council to be able to use the Town Park on April 6, 2019 for the farm’s Freedom Rocks Fest. The first one was this past April at the property on Lithia Road. She expects it to grow and would like other community organizations to participate.

Council, though, acknowledged that the park regulations do not allow use of the whole park for a private event.

Council member Mike Burton said he’d like to introduce some flexibility that would allow for some private events if council agrees it would be good for the community.

But Vice-Mayor James Manspile said council needs to confer with the town attorney. “It throws up a red flag immediately,” he said. “If we allow one, we have to allow everybody.”

It was noted the regulation to not allow private groups to use the whole park was established to prevent situations like the one in Charlottesville last year— a reference to the incident that turned violent when two groups clashed there last August.

“I’m not saying something can’t be worked out,” Manspile said.

Tim Young, who owns the property with his brother where Buchanan Flea Market is held, offered that property for the two events, if he could get council to clear up his business license.

“I’ve got 14 acres and would love to have BAMA use that,” he said. “The same for New Freedom Farm.”

Young noted that when his special use permit was amended last year, he’d asked to be able to use the property for “other events” as well. But his business license didn’t include that.

Manspile said he listened to the recording from that council meeting and he felt it was clear that allowing “other events” was included.

“If you guys can straighten out this ‘and other events’ thing, it’s a win-win for everybody,” Young said in reference to using the property for the BAMA and New Freedom Farm requests.

Mayor Craig Bryant said council needs to decide if it wants to move forward with amending the park regulations, or even if it can.

Council voted to have the town attorney and town manager proceed with finding what options there are.

Manspile said council voted to give Young and his brother the “other events” on his business license. “We need to work with the town attorney and Mr. Young to get this straightened out for these groups.”

Council also held a public hearing on the town’s proposed 2018-19 (FY19) budget. No one spoke during the public hearing. Council will vote on the budget when it meets in June. Manspile said he’ll use that opportunity to explain why council has included a $2 sewer rate increase in the budget.

Council also voted 4-0 to establish a policy to lease town property to mobile food vendors. The policy sets aside certain areas of the parking lot on Lowe Street next to the Town Park and established weekend, holiday and weekday fees for the rental spaces.

Bryant said revenue derived from the rentals will go into a fund that will be available through grants to small brick and mortar businesses in town to improve their curbside appeal.

Council also approved a three-year contract with the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office and the Board of Supervisors for extended law enforcement coverage in town. The contract is an update from one the town has had in the past.

Council also recognized Mickey Helms for his work as a volunteer with the Buchanan Fire Department to maintain the Christmas Angel Tree Program for the community. The program collects toy donations for children in the Buchanan area. He also runs the Bingo stand at the Buchanan Community Carnival.