Message from the County Administrator
January, 2008
Happy New Year!
This message is the first message 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 Friday, January 18 in observance of the Lee-Jackson holiday and Monday, January 21 in observance of the birthday of Martin Luther King. Offices will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 22.
The Board of Supervisors will hold its regular meetings this month on Tuesday, January 8 and Tuesday, January 22 at 6 p.m. at the Community Services Center. New Board officers and Board appointments will be decided at the January 8 meeting.
The County Administration’s Six Month Work Plan will be considered at the January 8 meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
Members of the Board of Supervisors have been invited to a dinner meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, January 3 in Essex County. The meeting involves counties and towns in the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck. Members of the State Legislature are supposed to be present to discuss the upcoming activity in the General Assembly.
The Board of Supervisors will also participate in the next Regional Elected Officials Dinner scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 29 in Stafford County.
Caroline’s Promise will host a fund-raising basketball game between local all-stars and the Harlem Ambassadors at 7 p.m. Saturday, January 12 at Caroline High School. Mattaponi District Supervisor Floyd Thomas will serve as honorary coach for the local all-stars and Bowling Green Supervisor Jeff Sili will be one of the players.
The Child Care Roundtable will hold its next meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, January 10 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.
The “Pride of Ownership” Appliance Program has generated over $5,000 in appliances and cash contributions and many families are benefiting. To find out how you can donate a new or used appliance or make a cash contribution, contact the County Administrator’s office at pashcraft@co.caroline.va.us.
Here is a capsule glance of other activities that will be happening in County government during the month of January:
- The Parks and Recreation Department will be holding youth basketball this month and other classes. Contact the office at (804) 633-7277 for information on all offerings.
- A citizen committee will continue its work this month on the development of a sub-area plan for Dawn. The Board of Supervisors will continue its discussion on the sub-area plan for Ladysmith at its January 22meeting. 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.
- Developers of Pendleton are now selling lots and housing construction is underway.
- Representatives of Quin Rivers are addressing Indoor Plumbing issues both in Dawn and throughout Caroline County.
- 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.
- Construction is underway on the new Ladysmith Elementary School.
- 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.
- VSE Corporation has expanded its operation to Green Road to the former location of Alliance Tractor Trailer, and will also expand its current facility near the Ladysmith Business Park.
- 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, which will include housing the Commissioner of the Revenue, Treasurer, County Administration and Registrar.
- 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 proposed by the Youth Task Force in order to identify what services are currently being offered in Caroline County will be on the agenda of the Board of Supervisors at its January 8 meeting.
- Groundbreaking for a new county park in Ladysmith was held October 6.
- Discussion on proposed adjustments to utility rates and availability fees will be held continued at the January 8 meeting of the Board of Supervisors, and a public hearing has been scheduled for the January 22 meeting.
- 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 amendment regarding the Septic Pump Out Program will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at its January 22 meeting.
- An ordinance to create an authority for the County to operate its own broadband network will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at its January 8 meeting.
- The Utility Department will begin this month to oversee the drilling of nine new wells to increase potential for new water quantity in the County.
- A stormwater agreement with the Town of Bowling Green will be considered at the January 22 meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
- The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing at its January 8 meeting regarding changes in the BPOL ordinance. The hearing begins at 7:30 p.m.
Have a great month!
