The Shadow
IRON GATE — A plan that could lead to a renovation of former school property in Iron Gate is moving forward.
Mayor Chuck Unroe said Brownfield grant funds may be used to renovate the former school alongside U.S. Route 220 so it can be utilized to benefit the community.
Brownfield grants help communities assess and clean up abandoned industrial and commercial properties for redevelopment and reuse.
The mayor said that with council’s approval, he recently met with the owner of the old school house property. Unroe said the property owner is keenly interested in working with the town on the Brownfield project.
“It’s rough inside but in better shape than what was believed,” said Unroe about his visit to the property.
An environmental study has been conducted and the next phase of the evaluation will involve a structural assessment.
In 2018, the Alleghany Highlands Economic Development Corp. was awarded $600,000 through the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Brownfield Program.
Town council met Thursday night for its February business meeting.
The meeting included questions over the mayor’s authority to appoint a vice mayor.
The questioning came from Jennifer Tyree, a former member of council. Unroe appointed Richard Erskine as vice mayor in January.
“It’s not in the charter.” Tyree said.
She said the vice mayor is appointed by the members of council — not the mayor. She said questions over the appointment were initially raised at a Tuesday night work session.
“As stated many times by citizens, very loud, that the mayor in no way is the town manager,” Tyree said.
“But our present mayor is the unofficial town manager … this is very accepted now even by those who were so critical of the previous sitting mayor,” Tyree added.
“There is no mention in the charter of the vice mayor being an official position even though we have had one for as long as anyone can remember,” Tyree said.
She recommended that the “vice mayor position be made official and added to the town charter.”
Unroe admitted that he didn’t recall asking for the vice mayor’s appointment to be voted on when making appointments to committees at the January meeting.
He also noted that when council voted and appointed the committee members “no one on council had any new or other recommendations.”
“I agree with your concern,” said Unroe in conclusion.
After some clarifications on the vice mayor’s role by Town Attorney Jared Jenkins, Unroe called for a vote on the appointment of Vice Mayor Richard Erskine. Erskine was again unanimously approved as vice mayor.
Under new business, Unroe advised council to visit property at James River View to determine whether to identify it as nuisance property.
The town has sent two letters to the property owner and the matter remains unresolved, the mayor said.
During his monthly report, the mayor said:
— The Town Clerk/Treasurer Wendy Biggs has found a way to save $5 to $10 on the town’s utility bill.
— An open forum meeting will be held Monday. March 2, at 7 p.m. to bring citizens up to date on a possible project to renovate and replace the town’s sewer system.
— An Iron Gate resident will donate a stainless steel flag pole to the town to display the official town flag.
— A financial audit is complete. The final report is due mid-March. Going forward, council will consider having an annual audit versus a biannual audit.
— The Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office worked 13 hours in the town last month and issued 13 tickets.
— Discrepancies have been reported between water being used versus water being billed for. Council will possibly look at replacing aging meters.
— Council is getting estimates to purchase a new pickup truck for public works.
— The finance committee will hold a preliminary meeting on the upcoming budget March 9 at 6:30 p.m. at town hall.
— The Parks and Recreation Committee will meet soon in preparation for the spring opening of the River Park and possible spring/summer events.
Unroe opened Thursday’s meeting by noting the fire department had suffered a big hit in the loss of one of one of its “mainstays,” Assistant Fire Chief Troy Robinson, who died on Feb. 14. Robinson also lost an uncle, Paul Beverly, on the same day.
Unroe asked the community to keep the families and the fire department in their prayers.
