Fincastle Town Council met last week virtually. Despite the ongoing issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the council managed to accomplish several things last year.
The Planning Commission made its annual report to the council. Additionally, the management report saw the council review the Western Virginia Water Authority contract, the budget process, an update on Big Spring Park, and going over the Review of Vision and Mission Statement.
The council looked back on 2021 during a “Year in Review.” Below are some of things the Fincastle Town Council accomplished last year:
The Virginia Municipal League breaks down municipal services and operations into 13 distinct areas. Several of these are not applicable to the Town of Fincastle, such as Animal Control, Public Transportation, Airports and Election Administration. With regards to the remaining services, below is a staff summary of the highlights of council’s work on each of these.
Water and Sewer
- Submission of Annual Water Withdrawal Report to State Water Control Board.
- Worked throughout the year with developer of new subdivisions.
- Resolved several outstanding contractual issues in Santillane subdivision.
- Repairs to bio wheel January-February.
- Alternatives for Capacity Enhancement completed, June.
- Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) distributed and published, June.
- Well lot 1 building cleared out, January.
- Received Assistance through CARES for delinquent sewer accounts from Botetourt County, April ($254.82).
- Generator rental at main well lot in anticipation of significant weather event, February.
- Formal Adoption of Water and Sewer regulations for the Town of Fincastle, reflecting the small-town nature of the operations versus large municipality, May.
- Successful inspection by the Office of Drinking Water, June.
- RKK sewer capacity study, June ($11,786.40).
- Paid debt service without needing to pull from General Fund.
- Submitted appropriate paperwork to maintain compliance with Chesapeake Bay Regulations.
- General permit for nitrogen and phosphorus and nutrient trading permit, Chesapeake Bay, October.
- Worked with WVWA and consultant on Water Authority Master Plan.
- Infrastructure Committee reviewing rates and usage to determine potential rate increases.
- Approved proposal from RK&K for I&I study to commence in 2022.
Transportation/Public Safety
- Worked with county, VDH and other officials on COVID-related activities, updates, etc.
- Elimination of handicapped parking space on Main Street, November.
- New No Parking signs, South Roanoke Street, August.
- FOIA training and certification, Town Manager, May.
- Conducted virtual Town Council (January-April 2021) and Planning Commission (November 2020-April 2021) meetings.
- Street closures on South Roanoke Street for Second Saturdays, June-November.
- No truck through traffic for Route 606, Blue Ridge Turnpike, signage on Route 220, June.
- Renewal of VRSA (formerly VML) insurance.
- Coordinated with VDOT for street sweeper services.
- Bridge work and culvert removal, Water Street and Main Street area.
- Paving and striping, South Hancock, November (poor job).
- Utilization of trusty crews for work on Route 220 entrance sign, clearing on Big Spring property, Tinsel Trail.
- Repairs to Presbyterian Church sidewalks, December.
- Met with VDOT staff regarding street bonding and construction in new subdivisions.
- Met with VDOT staff regarding proposed new development.
- Continuing work with VDOT to address large vehicles through town and on Blue Ridge Turnpike and Springwood Road.
- Council consideration of vacation of Herald Street (still in process).
- Renewed General Liability Insurance through Virginia Municipal League, now Virginia Risk Sharing, and Flood Insurance through Selective Insurance. No insurance claims.
- Worked with AEP on replacement of old streetlights with LED lights.
Historic/Tourism/ED/Recreation
- Provided support to local businesses affected by COVID.
- Met with Big Spring Garden Club for work at the park.
- July 4th fireworks with new contractor to replace volunteers.
- Assisted with applicable street closures and event coordination and support for Grand Fondo, Second Saturdays, Fincastle Festival, Halloween trick-or-treating, Tinsel Trail and Christmas parade.
- Purchase of Big Spring Park additional property, February.
- Lewis and Clark Eastern Legacy Trail Commemorative event, September.
- Big Spring pond partially drained, September.
- Worked with HFI on Fincastle Festival.
- Permitted alcohol sales and seating on sidewalk in front of Pie Lady Shop, ongoing.
- Worked with sponsors of Grand Fondo bike tour, October.
- Worked with Chamber of Commerce on Tinsel Trail.
- Hired new staff to assist with hanging baskets and general street maintenance.
- Continuation of funding for plantings through town.
- Successful Christmas lights purchases, repairs and installation.
Land Use/Planning and Zoning
- Planning Commission approved use of new Big Spring property, per State Code, January.
- Fencing ordinance for Historic District, April.
- Completion and adoption of 2021 Comprehensive Plan, July.
- Review of additional structure at Heritage Market (Enhancement Corridor Overlay District) by Planning Commission.
- Subdivision Ordinance revisions to require new subdivisions and water and sewer infrastructure to meet town standards and cost borne by developer, May
- Review of proposed Phase IV for Santillane, ongoing.
- Completed work with Botetourt County, Weldon Cooper Center and US Department of Census to fully register new town limits and population.
- Worked with Botetourt County on Future Land Use Map for both the town and the county.
- Three land use hearings in December. Two residential zonings and one public rezoning with proffers.
- Eight Zoning Permits Compliance permits issued in 202: accessory buildings- 6; signs- 2.
Financial
- Balanced budget.
- Adoption of FY 2021/FY 2022 budgets.
- Grant from Department of Conservation and Recreation: Recreational Trails Program for $136,450
- Grant from Virginia Outdoors Foundation: PTF-Public Access, for $57,000.
- Hiring of new grounds keeping crew, March.
- Bank Franchise Tax increase from $39,001 to $49,321
- Successful FY 2020 audit (no significant negative findings).
- BPOL revisions unnecessary, town attorney.
- Auditor presentation of 2019, 2020 audits, September.
- Staff interaction with consultant hired to design new courthouse complex.
- Participation in Botetourt County Monument Committee (Pam Binns), ongoing
- Participation in Courthouse Renovation Committee, (Mary Bess Smith), ongoing
- Endorsement of courthouse renovation plans by Town Council, May.
- Business licenses at $30,780.53 ($19,971.90 from 2020).
- Vehicle taxes $6,314 ($7,385.83 on 2020); technical issue with new treasurer software. Additional funding pending.
Miscellaneous
- Working with Sheriff’s Office to mitigate junkyard on Minnix Lane.
- New Town Council (two newly elected and one appointed), Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals members.
- FOIA training for town manager, February.
- Town Council adopted Vision, Mission Statement and goals for the year, February.
- Historic street signs repaired by Bordett family.
- Committee and Town Council officer assignments, January.
- Established Constant Contact account.
- Town manager attended virtual conference for the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association, July 18-20.
• Continue to expand use of social media (website more detailed, 2,632 Facebook followers, compared to 2,227 last year).
