The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE – Clifton Forge Town Council, meeting in the town library Tuesday night for a very short meeting, had only two items on the agenda, a presentation on the water and sewer rate committee and a public hearing on an ordinance to close an alley.
Jack Backels, with the rate committee, told council his group has been working on four months of data and they want to propose fair rates.
He said the committee will be moving forward rapidly for the next couple of months. It was announced previously that the new metered rates for water and sewer will go into effect July 1. The committee has not announced what these rates will be and what recommendation will be made to council.
The committee was formed to formulate a recommendation of water and sewer rates for council.
Council held a public hearing Tuesday night to consider an application of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Dunleavy of 212 Bath Street to vacate the alley between Bath and Alleghany streets where their house is located.
A public hearing was held by the Planning Commission Jan. 18 on the request. Following the hearing, the commission unanimously recommended the approval of the closure.
The Planning Commission also recommended that council seek compensation for the closure. The area is equivalent to a lot of 10 by 150 feet and the commission recommended that council set the value of the closure at $1,000.
Council heard from Brian Dunleavy who said he had driven from his job in North Carolina to be at the public hearing and had lost money by having to take off from work to be at the hearing. He said he is not happy with the $1,000 price for the alley but could live with it. He also asked council to make a decision so he will not have to drive back for the next council meeting and lose more time and wages.
Town Attorney Dave Davis told council it must have a second reading on the ordinance to close the alley. It was the consensus of council that it will pass the ordinance at the next meeting and he will not have to appear at that meeting.
Council learned that Clifton Forge will be getting a private recycling company. Ashley McClung appeared before council and announced that he and his family will start LCA Recycling and follow the same route that the trash trucks now use to pick up recycling materials.
Clifton Forge had a recycling system in place for several years but stopped it. LCA Recycling will charge a fee for the pickup and McClung said residents can contact him at 958-1484 for rates and information. Owners are McClung, Lillian McClung and Caroline Atherholt.
Town Manager Darlene Burcham reported that the town had a major sewer line break under the A Street bridge beside the CSX railway tracks. She said a private contractor, Clifton Forge Public Works and CSX cooperated to fix the break and 250 feet of the pipe had to be replaced. She said Department of Environmental Quality had to be notified.
She said the pumping station had to be shut down and raw sewage had to be transported to the sewer plant for processing.
Rick Tabb, executive director of the C&O Historical Society, told council pictures are needed for a book that is being composed on the history of the town sponsored by the C&O Historical Society and Clifton Forge Woman’s Club.
He said the former C&O 614 steam locomotive will be in Clifton Forge for the Railway Festival in May. It is currently on display in Roanoke and a bus will take some local residents to see it Thursday.
He also noted that the George Washington Train Show will be held at the Clifton Forge Armory Feb. 26 and 27. This event will draw visitors and vendors from throughout the CSX system.
Mayor Jimmie Houff reported that the Highlands Kiwanis Club is holding a food drive that will benefit three feeding programs in the area. He urged citizens to take part and give food or a monetary donation.
He also mentioned that a circus will be held at the Clifton Forge Armory Feb. 20 and will have two shows, 2 and 4:30 p. m. It will benefit the Clifton Forge Armory Committee and help pay expenses at the armory.
He said the chamber of commerce’s annual dinner meeting be held March 19 at The Homestead in Hot Springs. Cost is $68 per person.
Houff recognized the death of Preston Reid and mentioned the good works Mr. Reid had done for the youth of the community through the Clifton Forge Little League program over the years. Houff also mentioned the passing of Rip Gordon, who, on occasions, had attended council meetings and voiced his opinions.
Following the one-hour meeting, council went into closed session to discuss personnel and real estate.
