The Middleburg Town Council approved two landmark proposals at its regular Thursday meeting on January 10: one formally approving a "Stewardship Agreement" with Potomac Conservancy, critical to the Salamander Inn development project; another granting tax relief for some of the Town's elderly and disabled citizens. A measure that would have both prohibited private wells within Town limits and required connection to the Town's sewer system was tabled in response to vocal opposition from affected citizens, and the Council's ongoing commitment to making the transition as painless as possible.

Salamander Open Space Protected

Council Member Mark Snyder moved the adoption of Middleburg's formal "Stewardship Agreement with Potomac Conservancy," noting that he did so with special pride. Before casting a critical vote approving Middleburg's initial "Memorandum of Understanding" with Salamander Development, he had insisted on the inclusion of just such a stewardship agreement, ideally with a reputable, dedicated, non-profit, conservation organization, independent of Town government. The agreement approved on January 10 officially covers roughly 190 acres of the 342 owned by Salamander Development.