The full house at the May 12 Middleburg Town Council meeting produced few comments during the two public hearings. The public hearings were about the 2006 Operating and Capital Budget and Special Use Permit for the Middleburg Bank Parking Lot Facility. Debate about whether or not to hire a full-time economic development staff person for the Town of Middleburg was a primary topic of discussion during the Public Hearing on 2006 Operating and Capital Budget.

Town Administrator Mike Casey began the hearing regarding the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget explaining that the budget reflects; no change in the general fund for real estate taxes; a 10 percent increase in utility user fees; an increase in planning and zoning fees; and incurring debt in the amount of $1,254,250 to pay for "a series of capital maintenance costs" and to cover an expenditure of $360,000 which will be used for "the first step toward a new wastewater treatment plant."

The budget additionally calls for funding for a new staff member to "provide a more active level of support for the Town's Economic Development, Tourism & Marketing activities," said Casey in a memo to Council.

"I hesitate to agree with you that adding a staff person is the best way to go about that," said Valerie Kelly, who feels Economic Development needs could be met with present resources. Dee Dee Hubbard spoke against Kelly, stating that an Economic Development position is absolutely needed and can no longer function through volunteerism or the Assistant Town Administrator. As a compromise, Don Woodruff suggested that the Town contract out the position on an as-needed basis.

Although the public hearing ended, Council came back to the subject later when Mayor Dimos allowed Council members to comment on public opinions that had been presented. Councilman Snyder noted that taking funding to establish Economic Development from cash reserves would only serve as a solution for the coming year and wondered where the funds for that position would come from after that. "It's not sustainable over the long run," said Snyder. Councilwoman Eura Lewis defended the new position saying that "it's amazing" how much work is put on staff members and that having a dedicated Economic Development person would pay off in the long run. Councilwoman Betsy Davis said that she feels strongly that having a person specifically designated to Economic Development would help secure current businesses and possibly bring in more revenue for the Town, which would, in the long run, make the position pay for itself. Mayor Dimos urged Council to approve the new position citing that the Town has contracted work out in the past and found that it is not of the same "consistency and coherence" as if a more familiar member of the Town had done the work. He also noted that there is too much multi-tasking in the Town's staff already to place the burden on existing members.

The other public hearing, which was held jointly by Council and the Middleburg Planning Commission, was in regard to the Middleburg Bank Parking Lot Facility. Schneider asked for consideration of the number of parking spaces, presently planned at 60, controlled access and vegetative areas in the application for the special use permit.

Don Woodruff made note that the runoff from the bank lot presently carries refuse to the creek that washes up onto lawns and that having a parking lot will only increase the flow. He later suggested that a permeable surface be considered for the parking lot surface instead of black top. Edward Swain commented that there is a lack of parking in town and asked the group to consider that the need for more parking outweighed the loss of shrubbery. Jo Motion directly asked Schneider if the trees were in danger. His response was that the three large evergreens would be removed. John Connor, representation for Middleburg Bank, interceded to ensure Motion that more vegetation will be put in than taken out.

During the Council's regular meeting session Carl Phillips, Council member from Purcellville, introduced a proposal that western Loudoun secede and form its own rural Catoctin County. Phillips is a part of a new organization, Citizens for Catoctin County, and urged Middleburg residents to get involved in the movement to form a new county before the Virginia Supreme Court ruling brings Leesburg-like sprawl into Western Loudoun County. The new zoning will require about a dozen new schools to be built in Western Loudoun at a price tag of approximately $2 billion and substantial transportation improvements at unknown cost according to Phillips. He also noted that taxes would increase as will traffic, crime and social challenges. "There will be a rapid loss of open space," said Phillips. Citizens for Catoctin County will host a booth at Purcellville Day on May 21 and will be present for a meeting at the Middleburg Community Center on May 25 at 7:30 p.m.

In Staff Reports Police Chief Steven Webber noted that Sergeant Henry Milton Seaton, the only Middleburg police officer to be killed in the line of duty, in 1899, would be honored in a Washington, D.C. reception on May 13.

Schneider reported that the 19-town house development of Steeple Chase Run would be before the Planning Commission in June and the Courtyard in Middleburg project has had its Erosion and Sediment controls put into place. He also attended the Tri-County Parkway Study meeting in Arcola to find that two routes are being carefully considered but that the project would not get under way until 2010 at the earliest.

In Action Items, Council agreed to allow Casey to enter into a contract with Tessa Construction and Tech Co. LLC for the Middleburg Visitor and Commuter Transportation Center, but would not choose a surface material until Casey has a chance to discuss surfacing materials with VDOT and report back. The options currently in place are: paving the entire lot, paving the driving surface only and using either Unilock brick or Grasscrete in the parking spaces.

Council, again, considered forming a Well Head Protection Program Committee and appoint members to it. The committee was a recommendation of the Virginia Department of Health "to protect the entry points to our well system," said Casey and should have five members of the Town serving three-year terms. Council agreed to establish the committee, but to select the members of their choice in closed session following the meeting.

Schneider reported on Mosby's Tavern Parking Lot where the owners are asking for waivers of the required buffer space between the building and parking spaces and required landscaping buffer on the side of the building. Council agreed to the waivers and commended the plan, in which more landscaping is being implemented than was required of them, making the street view more pleasing to the eye.

In the final action item Schneider gave Mayor Dimos options for the topic of his three minute presentation to Loudoun County regarding their General Plan. Schneider urged the Mayor to address rising concerns in Western Loudoun due to the Loudoun County Transition Policy Area, namely rampant development, shortage of affordable housing, receding natural resources, increased traffic and a depletion of finite resources which support education, health, transportation and emergency services. Snyder noted that he believes traffic to be the key issue, while Davis cited tax increases as a primary concern. The Mayor agreed to take Council's opinions into account and Council agreed, unanimously, that the Mayor attend the meeting and speak out against all proposed CPAMs.

Lewis informed the Council of a new committee that she now serves: the Action Advisory Board. The board has just nominated its officers and members and will be headed by Bill Druhan, Mayor of Purcellville. Lewis said that the group would be assessing area needs for housing and rentals, day care, transportation and emergency services and working on obtaining grants. Council then went into closed session to appoint members of the Well Head Advisory Committee and to "consider matters related to the request from Salamander Development LLC for water and wastewater service."

Salamander discussions have yet to be made known to the public, but Council did announce that the newly appointed Well Head Advisory Committee would consist of Trowbridge Littleton, Lisa Patterson, Steven Plescow, Trevor Lord and Missy Janes.