Town Administrator Jerry Schiro reported that work on the Marshal Street Water Line Project was held up for at least a week by the rains that brought an official end to drought conditions in parts of the county. A shelf of rock, and the necessity of installing a $4,500 air release valve, had already slowed progress. With both issues now addressed, Schiro reports that work should move ahead more swiftly.

Rain also delayed work on the town's much-anticipated new waste water treatment plant, notably the pouring of the concrete foundation slab for the plant's control building. Problems with specifications for the control equipment to be housed in that building have also slowed progress. According to the Town Administrator, the town's engineering subcontractor, Patton Harris and Rust, had authorized fabrication of General Electric control equipment for the plant "without sufficient input from the Town." Loudoun County, it seems, requires the use of Allen Bradly controls in such facilities. Attempts to schedule official meetings to compare the two systems took time, as did efforts to schedule a tour of a plant in Culpeper, similar to Middleburg's, using GE controls.

Additional monitoring equipment and alarms may add as much as $18,000 to the cost of the plant as well. Though the subcontracted project manager for the plant, Mark G. Anderson & Company, is questioning the need for the additions, the Town believes that both safety and long-term efficiency will be served by having them in place.

Current plans now call for the start-up process and commissioning of the new Waste Water Treatment Plant in early November, 2009, approximately five months later than originally scheduled. If all goes well, the "commissioning" process will be completed in 30 days, and the plant activated before the new year.

The Town's Water Treatment Plant (not to be confused with the town's WASTE Water Treatment Plant) is, according to Schiro, "progessing ahead of the WWTP."

Concerns about the sealing of well walls, inspection hatches in holding tanks, easements for both power supplies and water lines, and a radio communications system linking the Town's well, the treatment plant, and a critical water-pressure-reducing-vault have been addressed.

If all goes well, says Schiro, "Substantial completion of the facility is scheduled for October, 2009."

Fun Shop United?

Town Planner and Zoning Administrator, David Beniamino, notified council that Town Staff had met on April 29 with Ms. Paige Allen and Land Surveyor Stuart Dunn to discuss "a potential request" that the Allen family "might submit" asking the Town to legally vacate its claim to an unused portion of Pickering Street right of way, adjacent to the west side of the Fun Shop at 117 West Washington Street.

Mayor Betsey Allen Davis recused herself from all discussion of the proposed proposal. Davis is the daughter of Paige Allen.

In 1988, former Mayor Tim Dimos had acquired a portion of the unused Pickering Street right-of-way for $14,000. The acquisition allowed Dimos to create a consolidated lot that now houses the Southern States store on Washington street.

For all practical purposes, Dimos's 1988 purchase rendered any further extension of Pickering street impossible, and, in the view of the Town Staff, made the remaining portion of right-of way "not of very high value to the Town."

If the Town approves abandonment of the right of way, lots owned by the Fun Shop to the west of its main store front location could be united and more rationally developed.

With Mayor Davis sitting with the press and general public attending the meeting, Council approved Beniamino's request to move forward with discussions with the Allens, including solicitation of a fair-market-value appraisal of the land in question.

If sold, according to reliable sources, the right-of-way would enhance the value of the Allen properties, could increase traffic flow at the Fun Shop, and thus produce additional tax revenue for the Town.

Budget and Treasury

With cash balances standing at $1,954,742 in the Town's accounts, the anticipated collection of more than $200,000 in bank franchise taxes by early June, and expenses at or below projections for the year, the Town remains in excellent fiscal condition, despite the current economic downturn.

Though businesses around town are reporting declines in revenue year over year, Middleburg continues to more than hold its own, with comparatively few business closings, and relatively higher than county average occupancy rates.

Economic Development

Economic Development Coordinator Cindy Pearson reported that the Middleburg Business and Professional Association had endorsed the establishment of a "reward fund" to be administered by the Middleburg Police department. Contribution to the fund may be made by check, earmarked "reward fund," and sent to the Town offices.

Pearson also noted that, the June edition of Southern Living, among others, will include coverage of Middleburg. Bendure Communications handles the town's media relations.