Starting off Public Comments, former Middleburg resident Pam Stokes criticized the Middleburg Town Council in general, and Mayor Tim Dimos in particular, in a prepared statement read into the official record of the April 14 Town Council Meeting.

Her statement criticized the Mayor for what she termed a "non-efficient relationship" with the Council for the past two years, citing in particular a perceived inability to make "any firm decisions" regarding the development of the Salamander Inn and the acceptance or rejection of offers made by the Inn's owner, Sheila Johnson.

Stokes also admonished the Mayor and Town Council members with being less than forthcoming on the issue during the past month, even claiming that the Mayor and two Council members had met secretly with Salamander representatives, a meeting which, she charged, should have been disclosed to the public.

Peter Wood of Marshall Street voiced both aesthetic and procedural concerns related to a new town house development near his property. Wood said that the Historic District Review Committee had notified some of his neighbors, but not him, about a meeting concerning the development.

Taking note of Wood's appeal for the use of appropriate natural materials for the exterior facings of the building, Marchant Schneider, Town Planner, noted that, although notification at this stage is a courtesy and not required by law, that it would be wise to widen the area of notice to include more of the surrounding property.

In other Council business, Barbara Riddleburger, Manager of Lou Lou, introduced her shop to Council. Opened in August, 2004, as a business designed to serve both mothers and their daughters, Riddleburger noted that it is "still evolving through local demand."

Town Administrator Mike Casey reported that the deadline for bids on the new Liberty Street Visitor Center parking lot project would be extended, but that a contract would still be awarded on May 12 as originally planned.

He also introduced the new state of the art system implemented to record, distribute and post the minutes of the town meetings.

Police Chief Steven Webber reported that his department is about four to six weeks away from taking delivery on two new "sign trailers." They will be used to post messages along the roadside related to traffic conditions, special events, traffic and parking, and other things.

Marchant Schneider informed the Council that the Courtyard of Middleburg building project on North Pendleton Street would begin in the next 30 days; that the Asbury Church renovation on North Jay Street is being delayed because of a possible change in ownership; and that a meeting would be held on April 20 regarding Steeple Chase Run.

Council also agreed to authorize a loan from the General Fund to the Utility Fund.

According to Mike Casey the loan is needed as a "cash-flow" bridge.

Council Member Mark Snyder questioned the loan, noting that the "cost of money", namely, the interest on the bridge loan, would have to be borne by rate payers.

Casey replied that the loan would just be a short-term fix and would be paid back by the end of the summer. In the end Snyder joined other Council Members in voting for the loan but said he would like to see the "systemic problem" could be fixed longterm.

The Mayor and Council agreed not to appoint anyone to the town's Well Head Advisory Committee until such time as guidelines for the committee could be defined. The Virginia Department of Health recommended its establishment to help protect the town's water supply by designing a formal "Well Head Protection Program." Lisa Patterson and Steve Plesko have already expressed interest in the positions.

A public hearing was set for May 12 at 7:30 p.m. to allow public comment and discussion on the issues of the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget. Copies of the proposed budget will be made available to the public before the meeting.

The same May 12 meeting will discuss the proposed Middleburg Bank Federal Street Parking Lot Facility.

Councilwomen Betsy Davis expressed her dismay at the parking situation near the Pendleton Street pedestrian bridge linking The Hill School property to the town. Noting that the bridge area had been turned into an ad hoc parking lot and litter bin, she cited the need to enforce parking regulations rigorously to make the site more pleasing to the eye and more inviting to pedestrians.

Casey agreed to speak with Streetscape about when they will be ready to implement their landscaping plan for the site.

Following the Mayor's comments, Council went into closed session for further discussion of the Salamander Inn.