The Shadow
CLIFTON?FORGE?— Clifton Forge Town Council issued a warning Tuesday to persons who may be tampering with water meters.
In a brief meeting Tuesday night at town hall, Town Manager Darlene Burcham said there have been recent incidents of water meters being tampered with.
She said persons who are caught tampering with meters will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
“I want to make people aware of the fact that they may not be able to pay their water bill but they are going to have even more fines and fees if they tamper with the water meters,” said Burcham.
Burcham also reported that the town is striving to enforce a code ordinance covering abandoned vehicles.
“I think we are making significant in-roads into the appearance of the town but we need everyone’s help in order to make that happen,” said Burcham, in urging residents to call town hall and report abandoned vehicles.
In a related matter, Burcham said the Curb Appeal Committee will present some awards for on-the-corridor activities in early December.
At the first meeting in December, the committee will also be bringing the off-the-corridor activities as part of a town council presentation.
Tuesday night council welcomed Pam Marshall and Ron Goings as newly- elected council members. They will assume their seats on council in January.
Councilman Bob Umstead, who was elected to a second term on Nov. 6, thanked the people of Clifton Forge for going to the polls in such large numbers.
“That’s probably the largest turnout we’ve had in an election for a non-presidential year that I can remember in a long time,” said Umstead.
“The election across the country was really good and I think it is very important that everyone make their wishes known by going to the polls,” said Councilman Dave Oeljten.
Oeljten reported that he attended a Roanoke Valley Legislation Session, with Burcham.
He said some of the discussions involved: improvements to the Interstate 81 corridor; telecommunications broadband; fiscal policy; economic development; and education funding.
Vice Mayor Gayle Hillert presided over Tuesday’s meeting. Mayor Carl Brinkley was not present.
Hillert reported that she had met with students from Mountain View, Sharon, and Callahan elementary schools to discuss local government.
Hillert said some of the things the students told her they like about living in the area are: riding their bikes everywhere; that it is small and safe; the parades, scenery and restaurants.
What they would change would be to add more restaurants, having a policeman at every bus stop, more and safer sidewalks, less littering and more recycling.
In other action, council:
— Approved minutes from an Oct. 23 council meeting.
— Waived second reading and adopted an ordinance to exchange a 28-acre tract of land owned by the town for an 8.858-acre tract owned by the U.S. Forest Service. The exchange is necessary to include portions of the town reservoir and dam within town-owned property and in order to proceed with the repairs to the dam.
— Proceeded to second reading of an ordinance to repeal Article IV of the code since the role of building official was previously transferred to Alleghany County.
The county has agreed to assume responsibility for soil and erosion review.
In closing, council reminded residents that town offices will be closed on Nov. 22 and Nov. 23 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
