The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, (VR) Clifton Forge Town Council adopted its 2026-27 budget, authorized a new planning grant application, and announced installation of speed humps on key residential streets during its June 9 meeting.
Mayor Jeff Irvine opened the session by amending the agenda to add discussion of a Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) planning grant.
Council voted to allow Councilman Wolfe to participate by telephone and approved minutes from the May 12 regular meeting and May 26 called meeting.
Council also welcomed Melanie Shell as the town’s new administrative assistant and deputy clerk. Officials noted it was her fifth day in the office.
Council conducted the second reading of the proposed fiscal 2026-27 operating and capital budget and then approved it, along with a related ordinance levying taxes on real estate, personal property, and machinery and tools.
As part of the budget package, council adopted ordinances amending the town code on water and sewer service charges. Both measures hold rates flat, with water service remaining at $41.80 per equivalent residential unit and sewer service at $72.20 per ERU beginning July 1, 2026.
Council also approved a resolution formally adopting and appropriating funds for the budget, which includes a new contract for the town manager.
Department reports from code enforcement, police, public works, the library, water plant, fire department, and planning and community development were accepted without discussion.
Staff requested permission to apply for a DHCD planning grant after DHCD representatives reviewed the town’s bad building and vacant/blighted property inventories and encouraged Clifton Forge to move forward.
The proposed planning grant would allow the town to assess community needs, engage residents, and develop strategies for housing, neighborhood, and economic development. The goal is to position Clifton Forge for a Community Development Block Grant Community Improvement Grant expected to be awarded in 2027.
Officials said there is no match required from the town or homeowners for the planning grant. Council voted to authorize staff to work with SERCAP to prepare and submit the application and to conduct public engagement later this month.
Dominic Washington appeared before council to offer paid grant-writing services, focusing on opportunities for the police department such as de-escalation training programs. He said his rates are typically $100 to $105 per hour, with many grants requiring around 20 hours of work, though some can take longer and involve additional registration steps with federal agencies.
Washington cited prior experience writing multiple grants, including a roughly $27 million solar project package proposed for Clifton Forge that mixed grant and loan components.
Town staff responded that most police-related grants are handled by Chief Scott, sometimes in cooperation with Maria or outside grant writers available through regional partners.
Town Manager Chuck Unroe reported that waterline projects are largely complete and that public works is shifting toward summer maintenance, fall paving preparation, and smaller projects.
Unroe said the town has ordered and received removable speed humps in response to repeated complaints about speeding on residential streets. The humps will be installed mid-block on problem corridors including Roxbury, Rose, Church, and portions of Commercial, and can be removed during winter to allow snow plowing. Officials said the goal is to slow traffic and improve safety on major residential streets. The humps should
begin being installed within the next week.
Other updates included:
The fire department is testing and repainting fire hydrants. Most hydrants on the west end are now rated “green” for higher flow, while problem areas around Dallas Boulevard, Linden Park, and Russell Street remain under review for upgrades.
Some residents received incorrect water bills due to a transition from the BAI software system to Edmunds/Go Tech. Unroe said staff are correcting bills case-by-case and urged customers with unusually high bills to contact town hall. The town has reacquired the 600 Main Street building and will file the deed, then issue a request for proposals seeking developers with business plans for the property.
The Economic Development Authority is scheduled to meet on the yard office acquisition, with a target closing date of June 23, and to review the funding stack for the Jefferson School project.
Unroe also highlighted strong turnout for recent events, including the VA 250 mobile museum, Heritage Days, the first Fridays in the Forge of the season and a downtown car show that drew fifty-four registered vehicles. He added that a donor has provided an employee appreciation lunch for all town employees at the Historic Masonic Theatre.
During public comment, Pam Lightfoot briefed council on new Virginia housing and tenant laws, including expanded use of accessory dwelling units, new rules for modular homes and updated tenant protections.
John Moser raised concerns about traffic and speeding on Church Street during downtown events, criticized trash conditions and code enforcement, and called for council term limits. Irvine defended recent code enforcement efforts and said staff are following required legal processes.
Council members closed by welcoming new staff, praising community events, and encouraging attendance at the upcoming Juneteenth celebration at Washington Park before voting to enter closed session to discuss personnel and downtown matters.
