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The use of American Rescue Plan Act funds was among the items discussed at the January meeting of Glasgow Town Council.
A full status report of the spending of these funds was made available to Council members. Council has approved $50,000 to build a restroom at Locher Park and $50,000 for a restroom/ shower at the hiker’s shelter. A bid of $250,000 was received to build the facility at Locher. After much discussion, Council voted to move the $50,000 from the hikers’ shelter and add it to the Locher restroom project. Then it was decided to get further bids and even consider other alternative types of facilities.
The Council approved four other projects using ARPA funds: a bush hog for $3,000, a replacement heater at the town shop for $3,000, STP ditch bearings for $15,000, and Influent/RAS Pump Communications for $10,000.
Council members also discussed the future of the bateau that they agreed to accept from Lexington. Interim town manager Jon Ellestad noted the boat may need some repairs, and Council decided to have the boat temporarily brought here and stored under Locher Pavilion until the repairs were made and a shelter for a permanent location can be obtained.
In other business, Council approved and adopted the Central Shenandoah Hazard Mitigation Plan 2020 update for the town of Glasgow.
Deb Farina, speaking for the Planning Committee, gave a brief overview of the eight chapters of the comprehensive plan for Glasgow that the committee has been working on for the past year or more. Council members asked to be able to look over copies of this plan and vote to adopt it at the February meeting.
Ellestad told Council there is a possibility of hiring a town attorney from a Harrisonburg firm who is proficient in government business. The person may not be able to attend every Council meeting.
In reports, the Farmers’ Market manager, Carolyn Bradley, noted April 27 as the date for the grand opening craft and baker event.
Chris Flint and Ben Williams have been filling in at the wastewater plant while Jeff Ranklin has been out due to medical issues. He is now back at work on a part-time basis. During the recent heavy rain event, several manholes in the l ower l ying a reas were overflowing. There still remains some repair work to be done at the plant.
After a long drawn-out situation concerning the cigarette tax, the system is finally getting in place. Vendors for the three stores that sell cigarettes in town have been contacted and on Jan. 4, the first roll of cigarette stamps was sold for $3,750.
JMB Acquisitions Company has exercised their option to extend the due diligence period on the property at Rockbridge Road and Jarvis Trail until Feb. 25.
In public comment time, Carolyn Bradley presented copies of an email to Council from a virtual meeting she had with Adam Deschenes, a representative of CivicPlus, a North Carolinabased business that archives social media information for various government agencies, businesses, etc., in Virginia. Mayor Paul Williams had received a call from a Jack Marshall concerning this and had asked Carolyn to return his call and report her findings back to them.
In final remarks, Councilwoman Natalie Harris showed photos (taken earlier that after- noon) of flooding in her yard and surrounding neighborhood in North Glasgow caused by water flow being blocked at the culverts going under the railroad. This has been an ongoing issue for the residents there.
After two hours, Council went into executive session to discuss personnel matters.
