Photo by Matt de Simone
By Matt de Simone
Fincastle Town Council met at the Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department training room for its August meeting last Thursday night.
Mayor Mary Bess Smith gave her monthly report following the approval of the monthly bills and treasurer’s report. In it, Smith said that during an infrastructure committee meeting two weeks ago, the committee made note that the town currently has $270,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that still needs to be spent by 2026 on infrastructure work that is outside of the town’s normal maintenance and repair activities.
ARPA is a federal stimulus bill to aid public health and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic signed by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021. Recipients must obligate ARPA funds by Dec. 31, 2024, and spend them by Dec. 31, 2026.
Smith added that Scott Surely, the town’s wastewater operator with the Western Virginia Water Authority (WVWA), has developed a plan for the town on how to spend the ARPA funds by the end of the year.
“(Surely) understands the amount of money that we have,” Smith said. “He has reviewed options based on the work that they do, what they know about the plant, and has come up with five items that (WVWA) are going to work with us to have completed by year’s end or have commitments to have (work) performed by year end.”
Smith then gave the rest of council WVWA’s five items to consider when using the town’s remaining ARPA funds.
Smoke testing – The town believes it has “inflows” in the wastewater treatment system and is unsure how it is getting in. Fincastle’s plant runs pretty consistent with what most localities currently have, but the mayor said that the town doesn’t want to just treat rainwater or water off of roofs of houses.
“We’re trying to understand where this additional water is getting into the system,” Smith continued. “One of the ways (WVWA does) that, if you recall, a couple of years ago we had to come out and start the testing for an inflow and infiltration study so they could pinpoint areas where this water is getting into the system.
“They’ve done that and the next recommended step is to perform smoke testing… There’s only one contractor in this area that does this work and the Water Authority has finally gotten him to agree that they will smoke test our system. So, that is the first thing we’re going to do.”
Lead service line testing – The next activity that will take place, based on a requirement by the federal government, is to test the lines between the meters and homeowners’ houses to make sure there is no lead in the pipes. The Water Authority will go through sampling a random set of homes to check for lead. The town hopes that there will not be an issue. This will only affect homeowners within the town’s water system, none outside of the system.
“We can help (WVWA) pick the locations to test,” Smith added. “Obviously, we have two very large water users in town like the jail and the courthouse and the various office buildings I think they would want to look at. Also, we have some homes that I think they should probably test. I’m hoping they won’t run into any lead pipe, but if they do, we’ll have to come up with a plan on how we will deal with that.”
This mandated activity has to be completed by the end of October. The mayor shared that WVWA will use its own subcontractor to do this work on behalf of the town.
An additional pump – Recently, the town’s “Well #2” had an “electrical problem.” Smith shared it was able to be fixed, but a suggestion was made to order and store an additional 40 HP pump in case of an emergency.
Water meter replacement – Years ago, the Water Authority upgraded the town’s water meters. WVWA thinks they are now starting to wear out and need replacing. If the town goes through with the meter replacement, the Water Authority can install new meters that will read through a radio system. WVWA thinks that could potentially be a cost-saving effort by the town due to reading meters offsite and will work with the town to replace the “universe” of water meters over the next five years.
Extending the waterline 500 yards to the new town limits sign on Blacksburg Road – According to Smith, the most “variable” piece of WVWA’s ARPA spending plan for Fincastle is extending the waterline on West Main Street to the new town limits sign on Blacksburg Road (500 yards). WVWA suggested to use the remaining ARPA funds for this project.
The mayor shared that she didn’t have specific details about when and where these activities will be completed, but will bring them to council singularly for approval as more details and specific cost estimates are available.
“I just wanted to make (council) aware (the town needs to spend the remaining ARPA funds),” Smith concluded. “This is time-sensitive and the money needs to be committed. It was a gift that we didn’t expect. We held on to it, afraid that something might happen. This appears to be the prudent way to spend it.”
Council discussed a cluster of signs located at Hancock and Main that are set too close together. The town said they will be contacting VDOT about perhaps resetting those signs and also contacting them to see if it can get a schedule for the potholes/repaving along Church Street.
Big Spring Park continues to await brackets for signage and new legs for the white board at the outdoor classroom.
VDOT continues to evaluate the site distance for future “No Thru Trucks” signage in town.
Town Manager Melanie McFadyen gave an update on the upcoming CDBG planning grant application submittal. A committee meets monthly to discuss the grant’s “eventual” implementation. There are currently 10 buildings in Fincastle that need “facade help,” according to the town. Council member Jim Reynolds stated that he had contacted all property owners about possible façade improvements.
The fireworks celebration originally planned for July 4 will now take place on August 31 at Breckinridge Elementary School. Prior to the show, an official reveal of the Big Spring Park Nature Trail will be made by town representatives. The fireworks show is tentatively scheduled to begin around 9 p.m. August 31. The trail reveal will occur earlier that evening.
Council member Paige Ware mentioned that the town banners purchased near the end of 2023 will be going up throughout town this week.
Corbin Stone, who was scheduled to talk through the town’s audit last week, was unable to attend the meeting, but will be on hand at the September meeting of Fincastle Town Council. The mayor mentioned Stone’s report and the audited financial statements are now available in the Town Office.
The town is currently looking for a part-time clerk, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. until noon. Anyone interested in this position may contact the Town Office at 540-473-2200.
