A standing-room-only crowd stayed late and listened quietly to an end-of-the-meeting presentation from Salamander Development at Town Council's December session on Thursday, December 8.

Salamander's Prem Devadas armed with architectural models, presentation boards and pointers outlined both a new and much-revised site plan, plus new building designs and floor plans for the much-debated Salamander Inn and Spa project. Following the Board of Supervisors' recent approval of required zoning changes, public hearing on boundary line adjustments that will bring the Salamander property officially into the Town of Middleburg was set for January 12, 2006, 7:30 PM at the Town Offices.

A snow-storm threatened and Mayor Tim Dimos officially assigned Police Chief Webber to sky-watch-and-warning duties as he gaveled Council to order at 7:30 PM for an end-of-the-year agenda otherwise devoted to routine business.

Joe Burke of BOWA Builders described the renovation and design work done out of his new offices on East Washington Street and was formally welcomed by Council at the traditional monthly presentation by new businesses in town.

Waterford's Kate Magennis Wyatt followed Burke with a power-point overview of the nationally and internationally recognized achievements of the "Journey Through Hallowed Ground" foundation and its supporters to date, leading to unanimous Council approval of two resolutions supporting protection of the historic treasures along the Route 15 corridor from Gettysburg to Charlottesville: one recommending that the corridor be considered for National Heritage Area designation; the other recommending National Scenic Byway designation.

Tom Patterson thanked the Council and Town Staff on behalf of the Fox Run Homeowners Association for paving the eastern end of Marshall Street, drawing a gracious response and laughter after a wry warning from Mayor Dimos about "being careful how you speak about unpaved roads" in Loudoun.

Tom Pratt, a twenty-year resident of Middleburg, requested that Council consider joining Winchester, Warrenton, and the District of Columbia as "Communities of Peace." The Council, with thanks to Pratt and Jerry Eichner, later voted to approve the designation in principle, but to defer until a later time any specific actions in support of the Communities of Peace foundation. Mayor Dimos noted further that, for a short time after the Revolutionary War, the new United States actually had a "Department of Peace."

Staff Reports

Town Manager Mike Casey reported to resounding applause that the new town parking lot was open, and free... at least until parking meters could be installed, which could take several weeks. Casey also reported that a framed litograph of a Mort Kunstler painting of JEB Stuart on horseback in front of the Red Fox Inn had been presented to the town by the artist and would be hung in the town visitor center.

Police Chief Webber reported that his department had handled 116 calls for service in November and that he had attended another in a series of training seminars on handling terrorist events.

Town Attorney Elizabeth Whiting has been working on producing materials for a legal "finding" related to a dispute over a Ridgeview right of way. Materials dating back to 1923 have been produced to help decide whether or not there has been an illegal "taking" of a five-foot strip of land included in a long-standing forty-foot right of way.

Town Planner and zoning administrator Marchant Schneider noted that some "big ticket items" would soon be forthcoming for review related to Southern States plans for the old Middleburg BP station, early discussion of primary health care facility plans at the corner of Jay and Federal streets, and in-fill design plans for the area between the County Way and the Hockman Building. Middleburg Brewery's James Justice, he noted, is also opening a pub by the parking lot on the corner of Liberty and Federal. Justice may also be looking for local names for new beers in the near future. He's contracting with Old Dominion Brewery and is thinking, according to Schneider, of opening a brewery over in George White's area.

Ann Lackman, David Rosenthal and Linda Cornwell were appointed to three-year terms on the town's Historic District Review Committee.

Council appointed Kevin Passarello, Kevin Hazard and Timothy Clites to the town Planning Commission.

New staggered terms for members of the Advisory Board operating the town's visitor center, "The Pink Box" were approved, and the number of members increased to up to fifteen members, allowing more representation from the hospitality industry.

Council unanimously approved the re-appointment of Howard Armfield and Edward Swain to the town's Health Center Advisory Board. They'll serve through December, 2008.

A unanimous recommendation was dispatched by Council to the Circuit Court that Virginia Lux be appointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals; a rationalized Development Fee Schedule was adopted; and the purchase of Holiday Gift Certificates for Town Employees and members of the Town's various Boards were approved.

After lengthy discussion Council also unanimously approved David McDonald's request that a silver maple tree occupying space between 15 and 17 West Federal Streets be removed. McDonald had presented evidence that the roots of the tree were damaging the foundations of his building, and that it blocked the addition of an exit required for further development of the property. He also offered $1,500 to the joint owner of the tree "to remediate the area once the tree is removed" and will donate $1,000 to the Middleburg Beautification and Preservation Committee plant trees elsewhere in the town.