BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Present: Mr. Allen Hale, Ms. Connie Brennan, Mr. Tommy Bruguiere, Mr. Tommy
Harvey and Mr. Joe Dan Johnson
PUBLIC COMMENT – Ms. Judy Barnes, Afton, said that the tower on Rt. 151
(across from Rockfish Presbyterian) is way over the trees and no landscaping
has been done. She also said that the AT&T tower on Rt. 29 was to have been
a co-location but that there are two towers. Supervisors directed staff to
research both of Ms. Barnes questions and report back.
VDOT REPORT – Mr. Kevin Wright reported that the following Rural Rustic
Roads are planned for completion by late summer:
– Rt. 827 Glenthorne Loop (Nellysford)
– Rt. 661 Phoenix Road (Arrington)
– Rt. 641 Eades Lane (Lovingston)
– Rt. 807 Parrish Lane (Tyro)
– Rt. 726 Donahue Lane (Bryant)
He noted that several other Rural Rustic Roads would be done by contract and
completed next spring, including Ennis Mountain Lane in Afton.
PAVING/LOVINGSTON RESCUE SQUAD STATION #2 – After review of estimates,
Supervisors voted 5-0 to authorize funding not to exceed $40,000 for paving
of the station drive and parking area. Supervisors directed staff to take
the funding from a $130,000 EMS loan due to be repaid to the county this
year.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Mr. Carter reported on the following:
– Solid Waste – boundary survey of Cove Valley site in process with
preliminary site design to follow;
– Broadband Project – public hearing to establish a local wireless
authority advertised for May 28th;
– Radio Communications Project – RCC Consultants, Inc has been chosen to
provide engineering and design services for the county’s radio
communications project;
– Ferguson’s Store/Roseland Water Line Extension – project options and
cost projections to be presented at the May 28th meeting; and
– Health Department – the VA Dept of Health has given authorization for
Thomas Jefferson Health District to work with the county and Region Ten
staff towards relocating the Nelson County Health Department to Region Ten’s
new facility in Lovingston.
BUDGET WORK SESSION/SCHOOL FUNDING – Dr. Roger Collins and Ms. Shannon Irvin
presented the School Board’s report on their budget, noting a shortfall of
$267,883 after budget reductions and revenue shortfalls. Ms. Irvin reported
that state and sales tax revenues are less than anticipated. She noted that
stimulus monies are very clearly restricted as to use and reporting
requirements. Ms. Irvin noted that, due to economic conditions, the budget
was created with no new initiatives, no requests for additional staff, no
salary adjustments or increases in fringe benefits.
Mr. Hale noted that the county had a significant decrease in Personal
Property taxes with 1,600 fewer vehicles in the county this year resulting
in utilization of a different method of valuation and a tax increase for the
citizens. He reported on two calls he had had from constituents as examples
of what the citizens are dealing with in this economy and how the county has
had to make up their revenue shortfalls:
– a resident who owns a pickup truck with over 300,000 miles on it whose
value just increased for Personal Property Tax valuation; and
– a homeowner whose home was assessed at $486,600 but upon refinancing,
the appraisal came in at $402,000 – resulting in his paying taxes on $84,600
in value that is not there.
Further discussion tabled.
APPOINTMENTS – Supervisors voted unanimously to reappoint Jean Holliday as
the South District representative to the Nelson County Library Advisory
Committee.
BUDGET WORK SESSION – After discussion of the School Board request,
Supervisors voted to provide an additional $165,000 in funding and directed
staff to reallocate the funds as follows – $90,000 from the EMS loan
repayment to the county and $75,000 saved from purchasing only four new
buses this year instead of the five budgeted. Supervisors also voted
unanimously that if the School Board could identify any carryover money or
savings, the money would be reappropriated to their capital budget to pay
for the roof at Tye River Elementary.
(NOTE: The budget public hearing will be held at 7:30pm on Thursday, May
28th at the Courthouse.)
HIGH TOP COMMUNICATIONS TOWER – The VA State Police, Nelson County and
Central VA Electric Cooperative applied for a permit for a 160-foot Class
III tower with a concrete equipment shelter, a 1,000-gallon propane tank and
a 50′x50′ fenced area with a waiver of the landscaping requirements and a
reduction of the 2-mile distance between the tower and another Class II or
Class III tower.
During Public Comment, Ms. Judy Barnes, Afton, expressed concerns about the
health aspects of the tower with microwave emissions. Following the Public
Hearing, Mr. Carter noted that there are no federal or state regulations
that make the health question relevant at this time. Mr. Bruguiere said
that he is fully in favor of the tower as all three entities need it. Mr.
Hale asked about the traffic required to maintain the site and all three
entities said that once a month is typical.
Mr. Hale expressed appreciation for the State Police agreeing to lower the
tower to 160 feet from the original 199-foot requested. He noted, however,
that the Planning Commission and recommended approval with limitations on
the number of antennas. Mr. Bruguiere said that that was over-regulation
and the three entities do not know what they might need. Mr. Boger noted
that the ordinance requires that information and that the Planning
Commission has required that information in the past. He noted that the
Commission did provide some flexibility in the number of antennas that they
approved. Mr. Bruguiere said that, in his view, it is advantageous to put
as many antennas as possible on one tower rather than add towers.
Supervisors voted 5-0 to adopt a resolution approving the tower with the
waivers requested and without a limit on the number of antennas. Mr. Hale
noted his reservations about changing the Commissions recommendations and
Ms. Brennan said that the county should know what is going to be on the
tower. Mr. Johnson said that he does not want to restrict changes.
Meeting adjourned.
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