Council Asks for Another 30 Days

Mayor, C.L. "Tim" Dimos convened the Middleburg Town Council promptly at 7:30 p.m, on Thursday, February 10th. Those interested in the number one question currently on the Council agenda, the fate of the Salamander Inn and the Town Water Supply, would have to wait until the very end of the meeting, however, to hear that no decisions had been made during the past month, that none would be made until a special meeting in late February, and that the Council's discussions on that date would be held in a "closed session" of the Town Council.

Mayor Dimos explained once again that Council had spoken with Salamander Inn representatives in January and had asked for 30 days to gather reports from five key committees, and yet another 30 days for the Council to reach a decision.

Much to the distress of the Mayor, four of the five Council committees had failed to complete their reports on time.

Betsy Davis of the Finance Committee claimed that she was "90 percent ready to make a report" and would have it prepared after the Finance Committee's February 21st meeting.

Helen Hyre, speaking for the Public Works Committee, said that they were only 75 percent prepared, but would meet on February 17th to complete their report.

Mark Snyder revealed that the Land Use Committee would also be meeting on the 17th to complete their report.

Eura Lewis of the Public Safety Committee said that her group would have a completed report following their next meeting on February 16th.

Only the Economic Development Committee, headed by Mayor Dimos, himself, came prepared with a completed report.

Due to the lack of reports from 80% of the Committees assigned to prepare them, the Council had no choice but to agree to hold another meeting, now scheduled for February 24th at 6 p.m. At that meeting the Council hopes to make the missing reports public and begin considering decisions that have been simmering for months.

Neither the public nor the press will have access to those discussions, however. By a unanimous decision the Council voted to deliberate in secret.

New Businesses in Town

The owners of two new local businesses came to introduce themselves to the Council: Lisa Patterson of Mello Out and Carol Jenkins and Donny Rodin of Home Farm.

Patterson served samples of Mello Out's signature handmade marshmallows to all those attending the meeting. When the business, on East Federal Street, opens in late February, she plans to offer lunches as well.

Jenkins and Rodin described Home Farm, as "a traditional village butcher shop." Located in the Old Bank Building at the corner of Washington and Madison in Middleburg, Home Farm opened December 11th offering lunch items and products from certified organic and humane farmers. The proprietors are currently working to assist farmers interested in converting their farms into certified organic and humane farms.

Public Comments

Mayor Dimos began the "Public Comments" portion of the Council Agenda by introducing Don Woodruff, a teacher from The Hill School, and two eighth grade students who were attending to observe the Town's administrative processes first hand.

When asked, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office liaison to the Council had nothing to report, but responded positively to a request by Councilman Mark Snyder to tell the Sheriff that more Deputies in sight around 5 a.m. on Route 50 might well serve to keep traffic running more smoothly.

Dimos congratulated the Project Helping Hand committee on the success of their Tsunami relief fundraiser, held at the Community Center on February 9th. Representing the committee, Dee Dee Hubbard thanked all those who had contributed and announced that proceeds from the event far exceeded expectations, bringing in more than $30,000, all of which will be donated to Project HOPE. Hubbard said that the committee is already looking forward to working for another worthy cause next year.

Throwing Stones

The reading of a letter from disgruntled Chinn Lane resident, Jane Gaston, brought "Public Comments" to a resounding close. The letter, read for Ms. Gaston in absentia, complained about an ongoing dispute over Gaston's lawn and the public right-of-way. In an attempt to prevent automobiles from destroying a portion of her lawn, Gaston installed a barrier in the form of a large stone. Town authorities removed it, claiming that she had placed it on the public right of way.

In her letter Gaston blamed the Town and the Town Council for treating her unfairly. She claimed that her stone barrier had been removed, but not similar stones put in place by her neighbors. She also charged that her complaints to Town Council members had been ignored.

Town Administrator Mike Casey agreed to look into the matter and respond to the Gaston letter. Mayor Dimos, put off by the reading of Gaston's letter in absentia, later stated that he preferred for those who have comments for the Council to appear in person. It would have been most helpful, he noted, if Ms. Gaston had been present to name the Council members to whom, allegedly, she had spoken. On the other hand, Dimos agreed to see the matter resolved and Councilwoman Eura Lewis insisted that any response to Gaston note that the Council always does its best to treat citizens equally and fairly. The Council agreed unanimously.

Staff Reports

Town Administrator Mike Casey began his report by noting a hiccup in the production of water from one of the Town's four wells last month. The anomaly in water usage, Casey said, of 170,000 gallons per day, put the pump at 130 percent capacity. Water levels returned to normal shortly afterward, and according to Casey, now the town water now has improved levels of iron and manganese. Casey also reported that a new employee, Kevin Davenport, would be joining the Town's maintenance team on Valentine's Day.

Middleburg Police Chief Steve Webber proudly reported that the department has recently been awarded approximately $180,000 in grants. Webber did not disclose what the grants were for.

Town Planner, Marchant Schneider began his staff report by pointing to a new decoration in the Council meeting room – an antique fabric Town plat, dated 1883, was framed by Caroline Casey and graciously presented to the Commission.

Schneider also noted that the Loudoun County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on February 28th. Important discussions of "CPAMs" (Comprehensive Plan Amendments) affecting development in South Riding and zoning designations for retirement housing in the county will be discussed.

Action Items

Three "Action Items" on the agenda were quickly summarized by Marchant Schneider and unanimously approved by the Council:

1) The Historic District Review Board's request to adjust application deadlines for Certificates of Appropriateness from seven days prior to a decision-making meeting to 14 days,

2) An amendment to the text of a Town zoning amendment that will allow under special exception parking facilities to be built in the C3 district, and

3) A zoning location permit for the Middleburg Animal Hospital pump station.

The Council adjourned at 8:50 p.m. to the entryway where all enjoyed a chafing dish full of samples furnished by Home Farm.