The Alleghany County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on its agenda items on March 1, except for the 6-1 vote on the motion to change the name of the road to Dabney S. Lancaster Community College.
July 1, 2022, the date set for Dabney S. Lancaster Community College (DSLCC) to have an official new name, College Drive will then replace what currently is named Dabney Drive.
DSLCC is one of four community colleges that will undergo the name change on July 1, and the new name is Mountain Gateway Community College.
John J. Rainone, the 4th president of DSLCC, requested the change, and when he was asked if past graduates of DSLCC would continue to list that name as where they graduated, Rainone shared some DSLCC history by saying, “Yes, and those who graduated from the community college when it first started as Clifton Forge Branch of Virginia Tech can keep that name too.”
Shannon P. Cox, the supervisor who represents the Boiling Springs District, cast the lone vote against changing the name.
Near the end of the meeting during the members of the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors’ turn to comment, Cox explained her vote, “The reason I voted no was because I was against changing the name of the school in the first place.”
She started the meeting by leading those present in prayer, and after the “Pledge of Allegiance,” the vote was taken to approve the minutes of a regular meeting held on Feb. 1, 2022, an adjourned meeting held on Feb. 8, 2022, and an adjourned meeting held on Feb. 25, 2022.
After the public comment session during which three speakers voiced their opinions about the county granting permission to abandon a road to accommodate an owner of 60 acres who is building a house on the property that shows a road on the map where no road exists.
Susan Hammond, VDOT resident engineer, gave an update on roads and 12 bridges that are to be worked on soon. The bridges are located from the Low Moor Exchange to the Triangle.
James A. Griffith, the supervisor who represents the Covington District, noted that several wrecks have occurred because of a guard rail that needs to be dealt with before more wrecks occur.
Hammond made notes about the problem and promised to check into a dangerous guardrail where the wrecks have taken place. She also reported on activity to remove brush and improve other roads in Alleghany County.
The agenda item, “Consider new County logo options” was tabled by the Board.
Corbin Stone, a representative of Robinson Farmer Cox Associates, made a detailed presentation of the County audit for the year ending June 30, 2021.
Stone said, “You are doing very well; you are growing, and you are doing well with what you have.”
Stone provided each supervisor with a copy of his report and noted that due to more regulations concerning accounting procedures that have occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic that his report is thicker than usual.
He noted that expenditures between operating expenses and capital were at a good level and fairly flat in terms of economic stability.
Also, he reported that the slight increase in population 15,151 to 15,937 is consistent with the revenue growth.
An area of Alleghany County’s operations that Stone pointed out that needs improving is the social services’ reporting.
Stone noted that new accounting standards for all leases is an obligation, and Stephen Bennett, the supervisor from the Jackson River District, agreed that it is an obligation.
A discussion ensued concerning accounting for vehicles, dwelling and equipment leased as it relates to reporting for future audits.
Roger Dale Muterspaugh gave a report on rapid response volunteers that identified numerous problems COVID-19 has brought about, including fewer volunteers despite a growing amount of calls for help.
He reported that new state level agency requirements for training procedures have increased the cost and that coupled with the decrease in voluntarism has added to his concerns about having to perform more duties to serve the public with a dwindling pool of dedicated people.
Although he did not ask for funding, he indicated that moving forward, he may have to request financial aid, perhaps via a grant.
Sheriff Kevin Hall made his report concerning animal control and litter enforcement and noted that snow covering the area for five or six weeks has curtailed the activity of identifying litter. He noted that one dog bite had been reported so far during the year and two cat bites.
Kevin R. Hazelwood discussed his petition to abandon a portion of undeveloped River Road that does not lead to anywhere on his property.
Supervisor Stephen Bennett from the Jackson River District sided with Hazelwood by calling the undeveloped road “a road on paper only.”
After approving the project where Hazelwood plans to build his house on his 60-acre tract, Bennett gave Hazelwood advice about getting the neighbors involved together to save on the legal expenses that they would incur moving forward by pursuing the project in the Edd Hill Farm section of the county along the south side of parcel 057EO-09-000-0360 and north of parcel 05700-00-000-0440, both owned by Hazelwood.
There was a 7-0 vote cast to approve the terms of Kevin Terrell, Jackson River District; and David Oeltjen, Clifton Forge East District; to serve on the Planning Commission that expires March 1, 2022. Terms are for four years and both are eligible for reappointment.
A vote was taken that ended in a 7-0 approval by the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors to appoint Donald Lugar, Jackson River District; Mr. Terry Paxton, Clifton Forge East District; to serve on the Water and Sewer Commission that expires on March 1, 2022. Terms are for four years and both are eligible for reappointment.
Peter M. Huber, the Alleghany County Administrator, gave his financial report. He then noted that the George Washington National Forest Service is hiring.
Huber recommended that the County should advertise for those who wish to serve on the new school board. He noted that following the advertising, a public hearing on May 3 and another on May 10 should be held, and that four school board members will be needed to be appointed to the joint school board.
He thanked Ryan Muterspaugh for his 26 years of service and noted that Ryan has accepted a job with the Virginia Department of Health.
For 19 years of the 26 he worked for Alleghany County, Ryan was in emergency management.
During the board members comments portion of the meeting, much praise came Ryan’s way.
Supervisor Gregory A. Dodd who represents the Clifton Forge West District thanked Ryan and wished him well, and said, “Ryan, I know you’ll do a good job.”
Cox praised Ryan by saying, “I’m a cheerleader with Ryan, and he responds almost immediately.”
She concluded, “I know that the health department couldn’t have picked a better person.”
As for a problem that exists in the Snake Run area where the lack of internet service is a concern, Cox said, “Alleghany County does not have broadband service throughout the county.”
A discussion about the lack of internet for school children led to the conclusion that Lumos should be contacted to check on the problem areas of Alleghany County, namely one near the West Virginia border where Frontier, a West Virginia company provides the service that was said to be lacking efficiency in delivering adequate service.
Griffith concluded, “Kids need internet, and we need to explore options to get services to those citizens.”
An idea to contact the Virginia Corporation Commission about the situation was also discussed.
Supervisor Ronald Goings, the only one of the supervisors who wore a mask to the meeting, said, “I’ve only been on the board for two months, and I’ve not gotten to know Ryan and what he does, but I wish him well.”
Goings also noted that he believes that Alleghany County will soon have to hire first responders.
Supervisor Cletus Nicely remarked, “I want to thank Ryan for the good job he’s done.”
On the school consolidation subject, Nicely observed, “I still think that it is wrong to close the middle school; it’s not that old and it’s a state-of-the-arts building.”
He continued, “I’m not taking anything away from Covington, but I just think that it’s a shame to close the school.”
Nicely also spoke about the Route 42 project that needs to be developed and urged his fellow supervisors to address that in the future.
Bennett wished Ryan well, and he said, “Ryan, we’ve done projects together. I hope that you enjoy what you’re moving toward doing.”
The board adjourned the meeting and moved to a closed session to discuss personnel matters in relation to the hiring of a County Administrator.
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