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Budget approved with proposed water increase

The 2012-13 fiscal year budget, including a 13% increase in the utility fund, was approved at the Colonial Beach Town Council meeting on Thursday. Extra revenue from a proposed $30 raise per quarter in water fees, resulting in a figure of $2,833,896 is expected. 

Although the budget has been approved by council, the proposed raise still needs to be advertised and a public hearing held on the issue before the council can approve it. 

The raise is needed because Colonial Beach is seeking funding for two major water and sewer infrastructural capital improvement projects. In order to receive funding from other sources, the town must show that the utility fund can not only sustain itself on fees collected but can show an increase in revenue that will pay for loans awarded. 

The budget also shows a 94% increase in Utilities Capital Projects (money to be spent for upgrades) which include funding from USDA Rural Development in the form of a loan and a grant. Both are directed at sewer upgrades specifically to address inflow and infiltration (I & I). Total budgeted money for Utilities Capital Projects is $3,314,546.

Read more: Budget approved with proposed water increase

CB Town Council passed several resolutions and one ordinance

Resolutions are public statements of the town or council’s commitment to follow new rules, but ordinances are written into town laws and must be enforced. 

Ordinance 624 amends the Colonial Beach Town Code, Article 8. Specific changes which would allow more display area for businesses. 

The current zoning ordinance limits outdoor storage to 5% of the total gross floor area of the business structure. The amendment would allow up to 30% of the total gross floor space but Gary Mitchell, Director of Building and Zoning recommends putting a cap on outdoor 

Read more: CB Town Council passed several resolutions and one ordinance

Citizens petition council to get rid of Foulds

Wanda Goforth presented the council with a petition signed by 160 citizens challenging the council to oust town manager Val Foulds and began looking for a replacement at last week’s town council meeting. 

Mayor Rummage wrapped his gavel and warned Goforth, “You gotta be very careful what you say because I will not allow anyone to stand up there and attack.”

Feeling challenged, Goforth interrupted and continued while trying to keep her composure, “I believe that the citizens need to be heard and this is what they are doing. They are showing the council members who are supposed to represent them, what they find.” 

Goforth then read the petition naming voters and business owners as the signers which read, “We petition the town council to re-evaluate the position held by the town manager. 

Read more: Citizens petition council to get rid of Foulds

Builders lobby to lower tap fees

Mike Dzaman and Jon Natelson, builders of Monroe Point Development have been trying for years to convince Colonial Beach Town Council that raising water and sewer connection fees (tap fees) would have a negative financial impact on the town.

The pair spoke out with Northern Neck and Trinity Builders at last week’s public works committee meeting, as a last attempt to get an answer to their request for lower tap fees.

Committee members Mike Ham and Gary Seeber have been trying to get the council to look at the issue and make a final decision.

But at the end of last week’s meeting the committee did not appear to be any closer to a definite decision and Town Clerk Kathy Flanagan reported that she has not yet been instructed to draft a

Read more: Builders lobby to lower tap fees