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March, 2008 |
The Board of Supervisors will hold its regular meetings this month on Tuesday, March 11 and Tuesday, March 18 at 6 p.m. at the Community Services Center. In addition, a joint worksession on the 2008-09 Budget will be held Tuesday, March 4 at 6 p.m. at the Community Services Center. Other worksessions might be scheduled later in the month.
A public hearing on the Budget will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 18. Superintendent Stanley Jones will present the Caroline Schools' Budget at 7:30 p.m. March 11.
Members of the Board of Supervisors will be attending a meeting of the Caroline County Farm Bureau at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 17 at Port Royal Volunteer Fire Department.
The Caroline County Youth Task Force will hold its next meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 6 at the Community Services Center. Jeannie Kelly will give an update on the Needs Assessment her firm has been hired to conduct.
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 March:
- The Parks and Recreation Department will start youth soccer practice and holding registration for other classes. Contact the office at (804) 633-7277 for information on all offerings.
- The Ladysmith Sub-area plan was approved by the Board of Supervisors at its February 26 meeting. A public hearing on the Dawn Sub-Area Plan will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the March 11 meeting of the Board of Supervisors. 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 the feasibility of negotiating with the City of Richmond for the purchase of bulk water.
- 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.
- Final installation will take place for the new skateboard park that is located at the County Park across from Caroline Middle School. A formal dedication with the Board of Supervisors is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5. The public is invited to attend.
- Construction is continuing 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.
- County Staff continues to work with representatives of the Sparta Fire Department to determine cost and location for a new fire station.
- Moseley Architects is drafting the final design of the floor plan for renovation of the Union Bankshares building. The preliminary floor plan was approved by the Board of Supervisors at its February 12 meeting.
- VDOT officials have unveiled that advertising for installation of turn lanes into Lake Land'Or will take place this 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 is nearing completion of its first phase, with almost 200 homes to be served.
- 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.
- 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 was held at the February 12 meeting of the Board of Supervisors. Action was deferred to allow County staff time to work with Board members and interested community residents on alternative solutions.
- Central Virginia Community Health Center (CVCHC) has expressed an interest in Caroline County to locate one of its centers, and a grant application was submitted to locate the facility in Bowling Green.
- 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 design of a new Public Works Shop will continue this month. Staff is looking at all available options pertaining to sites before reporting back to the Board of Supervisors.
- The Technology Roundtable held its first meeting February 14 and covered a number of issues related to service delivery and broadband capabilities. BOS Vice Chairman Jeff Sili heads up the panel that is expected to meet regularly.
- 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 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.
- Design of a new Victory Park located between the two courthouses is being finalized.
- An official groundbreaking for the State Fair will be held Tuesday, April 22.
- The Board of Supervisors at its February 26 meeting took up on First Reading the adoption of an ordinance to adopt the State Fire Code into Caroline County. A public hearing will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 8.
Remember to move your clocks forward on Saturday, March 8. Have a great month!