By Matt de Simone
Fincastle Town Council reviewed a wide range of town projects and updates during its March meeting, from park improvements and sidewalk repairs to business activity within town limits and preparations for a returning Earth Day celebration.
Town Manager Melanie McFadyen presented the monthly management report, outlining several initiatives underway as the town transitions toward the spring season.
Among the administrative updates, McFadyen said the town is evaluating changes to its banking structure while continuing its relationship with First Bank. Officials are considering moving to a municipal-plus account that may offer higher interest rates than the certificates of deposit currently used by the town.
Council also discussed several maintenance and improvement projects as warmer weather approaches. Work is already being planned at Big Spring Park, where officials are gathering estimates to repair the park’s gazebo. The pedestrian bridge will also require repainting and repairs to loose boards, and landscaping work has begun along portions of the park trail.
McFadyen said the town is coordinating with the Botetourt Sheriff’s Office about having a work crew assist with painting fencing in the park. Officials are also considering scheduling another volunteer park cleanup day similar to last year’s effort.
“We always need volunteers,” McFadyen said. “We’d like to do it before it completely greens out and before it gets too hot.”
Council member Ed Bordett noted that he hoped the cleanup day could again bring residents together to help prepare the park for the busy spring and summer seasons.
Attention is also turning to sidewalk repairs throughout town. McFadyen said she recently met with a contractor to review four areas where sidewalks are in particularly poor condition.
“They’re the worst sections,” she said, adding that estimates for repairs were expected soon.
Signage around town was another topic of discussion. Bordett said he has been working to locate companies willing to inspect and repair the town’s entrance signs, though the process has required persistence.
At the same time, the town is coordinating with Historic Fincastle, Inc. to develop additional historical signage around town. McFadyen said the effort is intended to highlight the community’s history while ensuring that town and preservation group efforts complement one another.
She is also working with Botetourt County officials to develop directional signage highlighting historic Fincastle near the courthouse square.
“There are more issues than I anticipated,” McFadyen said, “but we’re trying to work through it.”
Council also received an update on the town’s BPOL business license activity. According to McFadyen, 73 business license letters were sent this year, and the town has collected slightly more than $13,000 in revenue.
During the past year, 16 businesses closed within town limits while seven new businesses opened. Three additional businesses have obtained licenses but have not yet opened to the public.
Town officials said Fincastle’s tax structure may help attract additional businesses in the future. Mayor Mary Bess Smith noted that the town’s tax rates remain lower than those in surrounding areas.
“Our meals tax, our BPOL tax, and our non-existent property tax are less than the county’s,” Smith said, suggesting the town should continue highlighting those advantages to potential business owners.
“It might be worth it for someone who practices at the courthouse a lot to have their office in town,” she said, adding that available spaces for businesses remain within Fincastle.
Council members also voted to support an upcoming Earth Day community event. McFadyen referenced a presentation given at the February council meeting by sustainability committee member Bess Madonna regarding plans for an Earth Day celebration returning to Fincastle this year.
The event will take place next month at the Fincastle Library. Council unanimously approved a $200 donation to help support the event, with organizers planning to use the funds to purchase promotional flags to attract visitors.
Council also discussed road conditions around town. The Virginia Department of Transportation has recently been addressing potholes in the area, though several locations still require attention. Council members pointed specifically to Church Street and the area near the intersection of Church and Murray Streets as spots that still need patching.
Smith said she suspected a possible water leak may be contributing to the recurring road damage in that area. Town officials encouraged residents to notify the town of additional potholes so requests can be forwarded to VDOT crews.
Landscaping plans near the courthouse square were also adjusted recently after it was discovered that a proposed tree species, the golden raintree, is considered invasive. McFadyen said the issue was quickly resolved by replacing the species with green hawthorn trees.
“It was an easy fix,” she said.
Residents interested in upcoming design discussions will have an opportunity to attend an April meeting of the town planning commission, where consultant Rich Evans is expected to present visuals related to signage, landscaping and lighting as part of an enhancement overlay review.
Town staff also plans to remove the town’s Christmas lights during the final days of March after delays caused by repairs to the town’s bucket truck.
Finally, McFadyen shared a lighthearted story from the town office about an unusual maintenance problem. Staff members had been trying to locate the source of a persistent odor before discovering that a container of weed killer had slowly leaked through a plastic bottle and soaked into wooden shelving.
“We kept smelling this horrible smell and couldn’t figure out what it was,” McFadyen said.
After initially considering a costly professional cleanup, staff eventually removed the affected shelving and aired out the building, avoiding what could have been a significant expense.
“Now it smells fine again,” she said with a laugh.
