Glasgow Town Council received an update on the Centennial Park at its Nov. 12 meeting.
Jane Vaughn, with the Glasgow Garden Club, gave a visual report on Centennial Park, noting that members have removed or replaced some items that had died. She asked that the town let it be known that citizens can request memorial bricks in memory of loved ones for the walkway in the park. The club also requested that some lighting be placed there.
Vaughn noted that the club has declined a couple requests to place certain large objects in the park. She said the green areas in the design were placed there to be used by families for special occasions and should be left open. Also, if one group is allowed to place such items there, then others will want to do the same.
She pointed out that the park does belong to the town, and the club members are only the caretakers. Several members of the Garden Club were also in attendance.
Town Manager Allyson Finchum has been working to reallocate funds in the budget to allow the hiring of a full-time police officer. There has been a reduction of workforce and reassignment of job functions for this purpose. Advertising for a police officer has begun. A potential candidate for town attorney, meanwhile, has been located for consideration by the Council.
Town staff is working with the Virginia Canals and Navigation Society to move the batteau from Lexington to Glasgow for a low-cost donation.
Staff continues to work on updates to the town code for such items as trash, debris, junk, inoperable vehicles, farm animals and tall grass. The town has received some complaints on these issues. The sign ordinance and fee schedule are currently being drafted.
Yearly tax bills and monthly utility bills have been processed and mailed. Payments for these have already begun to come in.
After last month’s request from business owners concerning their monthly water bills, Town Council looked at the commercial and residential water and sewer rates in town seeing there is a need to update these rates. There were four options and the Council has elected to go with option 4. There will be a public hearing on this issue.
Staff members Chris Flint and Ben Williams participated in some training at the VRWA Expo in Fishersville. Jeff Ranklin, who is over the waste water plant, attended a Water JAM Conference as well.
Flint and Williams have been working to help locate valves and water meters for the upcoming water line project. Citizens have noticed the little orange flags posted at their water meters. These should not be removed. Bids for construction will occur by the end of the year with construction scheduled for early 2025.
Alead service line inventory required by the commonwealth of Virginia has been submitted. In the future, the state of Virginia is expected to require replacement of plumbing fixtures containing lead and any copper piping with lead solder. Sometime in the next 15 years, this work will be required by the state on lines from private residents to the town’s main line. It is hoped by then there will be a system in place to aid citizens with financial help on this project.
Parks and Rec reported that 70 pounds of nonperishable food items were collected for the local food pantry at the recent Trunk or Treat event. Approximately 60 children, plus adults, attended the event. Giving out candy were the fire department, first aid, Natural Bridge State Park and some private vehicles.
The Farmers’ Market manager noted the market was open through October, and is now closed until next spring.
