The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE — Clifton Forge is taking a big step toward improving its emergency service delivery to residents.
Tuesday, town council gave the go-ahead for preceding with a plan to develop a paid EMS. The move comes as Clifton Forge and other communities deal with a dwindling volunteer base to answer emergency calls.
“There are hundreds of hours of training involved for people just to volunteer to provide this service,” said Town Manager Chuck Unroe.
Unroe will work with members of council to develop the plan over a period of time. Initially, paid EMS will handle calls Monday through Friday for 12 hours each day. Unroe said emergency volunteers have agreed to work closely with the town to develop and implement the plan.
“This has never been addressed as an agreeable issue by the same parties. This time it is the opposite,” he said.
“I think the citizens will be well covered by all of this now,” said Vice Mayor Jeff Irvine. “The time is right now. I think this will end up working really well.”
Unroe said the plan will take months to develop.
“We are months out as we speak, but at least this starts the process,” he said.
Unroe underwent his one-year evaluation by council Tuesday. The evaluation was held in an open session at Unroe’a request. He was hired in November 2020 after the previous town manager abruptly resigned. Prior to joining the town, Unroe worked in the funeral business.
“I said, ‘The town is dying and now they send us an undertaker,'” said Councilman Shorty Wolfe.
Unroe received high marks from the four council members present for Tuesday’s meeting at town hall. Mayor Pam Marshall was not in attendance. Irvine said Marshal did not submit an evaluation form that was given to council members.
“You didn’t get 100 percent in your evaluation, but you came close in the high 90s,” Wolfe said.
“I like everything you do,” Councilman Bob Umstead said to Unroe. “You keep me well informed. I think you are doing an excellent job.”
However, Umstead urged the town manager to exert more control over town matters.
“What you need to do is take charge. I am 100 percent behind you, but you have to take charge,” he said.
Similar comments were made by Councilman Ron Goings.
“The consensus is that you have done a very good job considering you were thrown in at the last minute when the previous town manager resigned,” Goings said.
Council voted to reward Unroe by granting him five additional vacation days per year. He currently has 12 vacation days.
“We are actually saving money by giving him five more days of vacation instead of a raise,” Umstead said.
Irvine said Unroe’s evaluation could have been conducted in a closed session.
“He wanted it in open session so the public can be aware of what is going on,” the vice mayor said.
Council renewed its contract with attorney Jared Jenkins for legal services. His contract had expired last month due to an oversight.
“His contract ran out. It was a little late or whatever and we have to renew it,” Irvine said.
Council voted to extend Jenkins’ contract with the town through June 2024. The contract’s expiration will coincide with the end of the fiscal year.
“We will be represented fairly over the next two years,” Irvine said.
Tuesday was Goings’ last meeting as a member of council. In January, he will become a member of the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors, serving the Clifton Forge West District.
“If you ever get a chance to run for town council, go ahead and do it. It will be time well spent,” he said.
Council will appoint someone to fill the remaining one year on Goings’ term.
“It’s been a pleasure serving with you,” Umstead said to Goings. “It’s been an absolute pleasure.”
In other business, council:
— Approved the sale of property in the Bath Street area to Dennis and Betty Putnam for $1,500.
— Reappointed Wilma McClung to the Architectural Review Board.
— Reappointed Glen Perry and Roy Wright to the Economic Development Authority/Industrial Development Authority.
— Appointed Scott Dudding and Brittney Feazell to the Armory Authority.
