Back to Main Page

Message from the County Administrator February, 2008

This message is the second in 2008 to better update our citizens and visitors to the website. The information serves as a status report for ongoing projects, and also serves as a preview to different happenings that are in the planning stages.

County government offices will be closed Monday, February 18 in observance of President’s Day. Offices will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 19.

The Board of Supervisors will hold its regular meetings this month on Tuesday, February 12 and Tuesday, February 26 at 6 p.m. at the Community Services Center. In addition, a joint worksession with the Caroline School Board will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, February 4 at the Community Services Center.

The County Administration’s Six Month Work Plan will be considered at the February 4 worksession of the Board of Supervisors.

Members of the Board of Supervisors will be participating in Legislative Day on Thursday, February 7 in Richmond. Supervisors will be briefed on various legislation moving through the State Legislature.

The Caroline County Business Roundtable will seat a new class of members at its first meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 19 in the Boxley Room at the Community Services Center.

The Chamber of Commerce has again requested that I give a “State of the County” Address Thursday, February 28 at the Community Services Center.

All county residents are encouraged to register for the new Caroline Alert System. The system will notify residents of emergencies and other government news through their cell phones and desktop computers. This is a free service offered by the Board of Supervisors. Click on www.CarolineAlert.com to register.

Here is a capsule glance of other activities that will be happening in County government during the month of February:

• The Parks and Recreation Department will be wrapping up youth basketball this month and holding registration for spring soccer and other classes. Contact the office at (804) 633-7277 for information on all offerings.
  
  
• Sub-area plans for Dawn and Ladysmith are moving forward. The Ladysmith plan will again be reconsidered by the Board of Supervisors at its February 26 meeting. The Board will also receive the Dawn plan either this month or March. In addition, a consulting firm has been hired to assist with the drafting and final compilation of the Comprehensive Plan update.
  
  
• Property acquisition will continue this month for the expansion of the Ladysmith Convenience Site.
  
  
• Ms Alyson’s Daycare opened its second facility on December 31 in the Ladysmith Business Park. A third location is also planned for the property next to Roma’s in Bowling Green.
  
  
• Construction of the new Visitor’s Center along Route 207 will continue this month. The developer of Belmont contributed $1.1 million to help construct the facility, with the remainder of the funds coming from TEA 21 appropriations.
  
  
• County staff and consultants continue to work on a proposal that will allow the County to withdraw water from the Rappahannock River in the future. The Department of Environmental Quality must grant its approval before water can be withdrawn.
  
  
• County staff and consultants are also exploring possibilities to construction of a reservoir to assist with long-term water needs, as well as exploring opportunities with other governmental entities.
  
  
• County inspectors have been working with school officials, contractors and architects in working toward a certificate of occupancy for the new Lewis & Clark Elementary School in Ladysmith.
  
  
• Construction is underway of a new skateboard park to be located at the County Park across from Caroline Middle School.
  
  
• Construction is underway on the first two buildings for Ladysmith Commons, a commercial and office development located along Route 1 north.
  
  
• Virginia Dominion Power has received permitting approval from state and federal regulatory authorities to expand its operation in Cedon later this year. Further expansion is now being proposed by the utility company.
  
  
• A cost analysis and design of the new Sparta Fire Station was discussed at the December 11 meeting of the Board of Supervisors, and County staff was directed to consider other cost alternatives for the facility and explore other possible locations.
  
  
• Moseley Architects is drafting the final design of the floor plan for renovation of the Union Bankshares building and will report to the Board of Supervisors a preliminary floor plan at its February 12 meeting.
  
  
• VDOT officials have unveiled that advertising for installation of turn lanes into Lake Land ‘Or will take place next spring. The project will be funded in part by Revenue Sharing dollars generated by developer proffers and matched by State funds.
  
  
• A committee appointed by Reedy District Supervisor Maxie Rozell has been meeting to plan the construction of a new branch library in Dawn. The facility will be part of the Caroline Library system.
  
  
• State Fair officials have offered property at Meadow Farm for the relocation of County Extension services from its current site at the Community Services Center. County staff is working with all parties to coordinate the project.
  
  
• State Fair officials, in accordance with their rezoning application, have proffered property for a Boat Landing. County staff is working with State Fair officials and the Department of Conservation and Recreation to begin design of the project.
  
  
• The Dawn Wastewater Project held its community celebration August 4 and homes are now connected to the system. Almost 200 homes will be served in the first phase of this project.
  
  
• The Board of Supervisors has approved the expansion of the wastewater plant at Polecat Creek to a maximum of 1.5 million gallons per day. Arcadis is expected to complete the design by next spring and construction bids will be let by next summer.
  
  
• The Public Works Department is coordinating the Assign-a-Highway Litter Program with cooperation from court services.
  
  
• Negotiations have been reopened with Aqua of Virginia regarding the County assisting with wastewater services to Aqua’s customers. This comes in the wake of a hearing before the State Corporation Commission for a rate increase submitted by Aqua.
  
  
• A needs analysis is underway after the Board of Supervisors approved the request by the Youth Task Force at its January 8 meeting.
  
  
• Groundbreaking for a new county park in Ladysmith was held October 6 and construction is expected to begin this spring.
  
  
• A public hearing on adjustments to utility rates and availability fees will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 12 as part of the regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
  
  
• Central Virginia Community Health Center (CVCHC) has expressed an interest in Caroline County to locate one of its centers. CVCHC officials have met with community health leaders and are considering a grant application that is due December 18.
  
  
• The Board of Supervisors approved at its November 27 meeting the application of a TEA 21 grant to construct a pedestrian and biking trail around Caroline County Park. The trail would tie in with future improvements that are anticipated when an architect’s recommendation is made in 2008.
  
  
• The Board of Supervisors approved at its November 27 meeting an architect’s review of a proposal to build a new Public Works Shop. The facility has been proposed for the Poorhouse Tract near Caroline Middle School.
  
  
• An ordinance to create an authority for the County to operate its own broadband network was considered by the Board of Supervisors at its January 8 meeting, and the idea is to be considered by the establishment of a Technology Roundtable.
  
  
• The Utility Department will continue this month to oversee the drilling of nine new wells to increase potential for new water quantity in the County.
  
  
• The Board of Supervisors asked VDOT at its January 8 meeting to look at possible deficiencies of a bridge in Sparta that might not hold the weight of emergency vehicles.
  
  
• The Board of Supervisors is looking for assistance by the State Legislature regarding a major increase in the Composite Index, which is the funding formula for public education. Caroline now has a higher index than its neighbors Spotsylvania and Stafford.
  
  
• The Board of Supervisors approved at its January 22 meeting the hiring of Springstead and Associates to assist with the search for a new Finance Director. Also this month searches will continue in the hiring of a new Utilities Director and Tourism Manager.
  
  
• Design of a new Victory Park located between the two courthouses is being finalized.
  
  Have a great month!
  
  Back to Top