If you enjoyed the large, expanded beach last summer, the 2016 season will be even better. The next phase of the federal Cape Charles Navigation Project is set to resume within the next few weeks. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released bid documents and the bid period will close on January 25, 2016. The next phase of the project involves the dredging of Cherrystone Channel to a depth of 18 feet—this will result in close to 200,000 cubic yards of fine sand dredge material being added to the Town beach, as well as the upland site. The project is expected to last 120 calendar days.
Archives for 2016
DEQ renews water quality monitoring agreement
RICHMOND, VA. — The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality will renew an agreement supporting citizen water quality monitoring and thank the hundreds of Virginians who dedicate their time to this effort at an event Wednesday, November 18, 2015.
For more than 15 years, DEQ has partnered with state and local conservation organizations to give citizens the tools and training needed to accurately assess water quality. The information these volunteers collect is used at the local, state and federal levels to identify potential water quality problems — and to find solutions.
DEQ Director David K. Paylor will join leaders from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Izaak Walton League of America, Virginia Citizens for Water Quality and Virginia Water Monitoring Council to sign a new partnership agreement supporting citizen water quality monitoring.
The November 18 event at Browns Island (directly across from Tredegar Iron Works on Tredegar Street in downtown Richmond) is open to the public. The signing event will begin at 1:30 p.m.
Board of Supervisors Repeal Zoning
In a stunning move, the new Northampton Board of Supervisors repealed the controversial and highly contested 2015 zoning ordinance that passed during a lame duck session of the Board on December 5th 2015. Supervisor Robert Duer, after receiving permission to add an action item to the agenda, offered a resolution that would repeal what had just been put in place a month earlier. Certainly a victory for opponents of the ordinance, it was also a severe disappointment for factions that worked for over 3 years to push the then proposed zoning through.
Supervisor Bennett offered a reserved response, “In the future I hope there will be some positive things happening for the citizens of Northampton County, we have a constituency that is very intelligent, but at the same time…but I have to vote against this.”
A visually disappointed Vice Chairman Larry LeMond commented, “Obviously after spending the last two years on the new zoning, like Mr. Bennett I’m not surprised, I was hoping we would take the new ordinance, that we admitted wasn’t perfect, but was better than the one we had, but just improve on those certain items instead of just throwing the whole thing out.”
An emotional and tearful Granville Hogg added, “It is not what you and I want it is about what we want as a community, I asked for your help and those voters have responded, they have made a statement, but the job doesn’t end there, there is a commitment to make it work. Thank you.” After Hogg finished, there was an extended standing ovation by members of the audience.
Newly elected Chairman Spencer Murray continued, “In the 30 years that I Deborah and I have lived in Northampton County I cannot recall an issue that has consumed more resources; this issue has confused and divided our citizens to the extent that many questioned the motives of others, and have lost faith in their government. The public spoke to this issue on November 3rd of last year. I believe the expedited 2015 vote on the zoning ordinance threw the baby out with the bath water, yet I understand the action we are about to undertake will be a bitter pill to swallow for those that have worked on this for close to 3 years, this is not an attempt to put the genie back in the bottle and go backwards, the amendments we propose tonight take us forward in many ways. I ask the staff and the public to scrutinize these amendments, provide the feedback, we are asking for no shortcuts. We will listen.”
The voted passed 3 -2, Hogg, Duer and Murray for, LeMond and Bennett against.
SPECIAL: Dufty, Why a Credible and Competent County Attorney Team is Critical to a Sustainable Future
The record in the proceeding known as the drafting and adoption of the 2015 Northampton County Zoning Ordinance is replete with comments from this writer that the Board of Supervisors (BOS) was not being properly advised on legal issues pertaining to this matter from its counsel, the legal team consisting of County Attorney Bruce Jones and assistant Bev Leatherbury.
My interest in ensuring that the county supervisors were being properly advised on Code and case law is personal, and it reaches back to my experience with county government over twenty years ago.
You see, in 1993 I was a millwright in a steel mill in Watervliet, NY and had been so for 10 years. I was at the top of my pay scale, and we were quite comfortable on that salary. But shortly after the November elections, I got a call from a newly-elected Legislator that the Republican majority in that governing body had picked me to be Executive Director of the Environmental Management Council, an entity established under state law to advise elected leaders on issues of the environment and natural resources. Naturally, just being a wrench in a local mill, I declined. I had no government experience, although had successfully sued the state on several occasions (by the seat of my pants) as head of a 3,000 member environmental group. But they insisted….repeatedly. So I took a pretty sizeable pay cut and on January 2, 1994, I took the helm of the 19-member council.
[Read more…]
Town Searches for Its Identity
Looking to attain a more focused methodology as a way for Cape Charles to discover its true self, to ‘Brand’ itself,Town Manager Brent Manuel brought Kyle Meyer, Community Development Administrator, Dept of Housing and Community Development program to give a presentation on the Virginia Main Street program, a proven method to help streamline, and possibly fund the process. The Virginia Main Street Program is touted as a “preservation-based economic and community development program that follows the Main Street Four-Point Approach™ developed by the National Trust Main Street Center”.
The so-called Four-Point-Approach can basically be broken down into the components Organization, Promotion, Design and ‘Vitality’. Basically, this so-called ‘methodology’ is prompting losers like us to collaborate with each other, build consensus and create a unique, personal myth as a means to promote us as ‘losers not so much’, clean up our space so we don’t offend white middle class shoppers…oh, and vitality means doing whatever we can to bolster and prop up the merchant class so they can thrive, all at the expense of the ordinary people.
Essentially what this will entail is creating yet another organization (believe it or not the town has already done this) called the Main Street Committee, which will be focused on the so-called ‘revitalization of Cape Charles’. Eventually, this will lead to another ‘Board of Directors’ replete with a paid full or part time Executive Director to run this Felliniesque carnival. In a nutshell, this is yet another organization that will require chunks of taxpayer cash just to exist; as was mentioned many times that evening, to survive, this also has to be a ‘public-private’ partnership, meaning aside from them foraging through your pockets for any loose change (your taxes), you will also be expected to support the effort through generous donations.
[Read more…]
County Planning Commission approves new site for Rural Health
A Public Hearing was held this Tuesday for the new medical facility proposed by Eastern Shore Rural Health. Rural Health CEO Nancy Stern fielded questions from the Planning Commission. Ms. Stern also gave a presentation on the project, noting that the new facility would come as a much needed replacement for the smaller facilities now located at Bayview and Franktown. Sterns made the point, however, that the new facility will not replace the emergency room at Shore Memorial, but will only be a primary care facility with expanded services such as Digital X-Ray, Labs, Drug Screening for employers use, dental, and telemedicine assets.
“I would like to state for the record that there will be six other points of review for this…the consolidation allows us to offer ten hour days and Saturday hours, we will also be able to offer digital x-ray which is not offered at the other two facilities, a much larger lab, along with telemedicine. We will be able to expand our economic development by allowing businesses to have corporate accounts. For companies that want to come to the Shore we can offer physical, as well as pre-employment drug screenings. We will be adding an additional doctor to the facility and we will have state of the art dental equipment. Right now, at Franktown, we are out of space…it is actually a hazard, the lack of parking. We have nowhere to go on the property there. We are a community health center, a primary care facility, this was our strategic plan even before the hospital was moving. I’d like to make that clear, we are a separate entity, but we partner with Riverside…we take care of 36,000 patients here on the Shore, we’re doing this expand access to primary care,” said Nancy Stern
The new facility is planning to operate under expanded hours (10-11 hour days M-F, and some hours on Sat.). Another point stressed by Ms. Sterns is that Rural Health has been planning, and needing this upgraded facility for some time, and that this project is not in response to the closing of Shore Memorial. Given that the Bayview and Franktown facilities are over 30 years old, both the service and the population has made this project that much more necessary.
Even as it is clear that the Rural Health needs the new facility, the proposed location, on Route 13 south of the traffic light in Eastville, is raising some concerns. It is estimated the traffic in and out of the facility will be around 700 cars daily.
Commissioner Dave Fauber noted that the location on Route 13 could create a dangerous traffic situation given that 700 cars per day would be trying to negotiate access to the facility, many having cross and make a U-turn turning off and onto Route 13. Fauber said the road is already notoriously dangerous and cited the intersections around Food Lion in Cape Charles and Stingrays as examples. Another bone of contention for Fauber was that the Comprehensive Plan attempts to move new development off of Route 13, and closer to the towns. Instead, this facility would be right on 13, and could pose problems as it will rest right on the main spine of our sole source aquifer.
Rural Health representative Kathy McAllister responded that the new facility would incorporate a series of retention ponds and wetlands to catch storm water run-off from the parking lot and other impervious surfaces, and that those would actually divert more water into the aquifer than the current vacant land.
The Commission voted 5-1, with Fauber voting against to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the new facility. Commissioner Downing added that the Commission should add a condition to the recommendation that Rural Health should first aquire permits from VDOT and the Health Department before breaking ground.
Strawberry Street Station: setting footers, moving forward
The Strawberry Street Station project is beginning to show real progress, an exciting moment for this section of Mason Avenue. Images below show just how substantial the footers for this structure will be. With a warmer winter, Developer Patrick Hand hopes to make good progress through the traditionally colder months.
[Read more…]
Arts Enter School of Dance Spring Schedule
Arts Enter School of Dance Spring Schedule is listed below:
Day |
Class Description |
Instructor |
Time |
Check each class for enrollment |
Price |
Monday |
Creative Movement | Amy Watkins | 5:15-6:00 | $175 | |
Monday |
Modern I | Amy Watkins | 6:00 – 7:00 pm | $ 175 | |
Monday |
Modern II | Amy Watkins |
7:00 – 8:00 pm |
$175 |
|
Wednesday |
Tap |
William Pfiffer |
6:30 – 7:30 pm |
To be advised |
|
Thursday |
Ballet I |
Amy Watkins |
5:15 – 6:00 pm |
$175 |
|
Thursday |
Ballet II |
Amy Watkins |
6:00 – 7:00 pm |
$175 |
|
Thursday |
Modern III |
Amy Watkins |
7:00 – 8:30 pm |
$250 |
|
Friday |
Theatre Academy |
Wayne Creed |
5:00 – 6:30 pm |
$75 * |
|
TOTAL |
|
*Theatre Academy is $35 for any
student enrolling in any of the above dance classes
Pricing above reflects one student paying full price at the
start of the class session.
PAYMENT OPTIONS AND
DISCOUNTS FOR ALL CLASSES EXCEPT MODERN III:
Semester
Pricing:Two Classes Per Week:
$ 315.Three Classes Per Week:$
475.
Four Classes per
Week: $ 580.
Should you have two children participating in the same class
or two different classes, you will be charged the rate for multiple classes per
week.If you are participating in
more than 4 classes per week, please see Arts Enter Executive Director for
pricing.
PAYMENT PLAN OPTION: | Sept 15 | Oct 15 | Nov 15 |
One class per week | $ 65 | $ 60 | $ 60 |
Two classes per week | $110 | $110 | $110 |
Three classes per week | $165 | $160 | $160 |
Please make checks payable to Arts Enter Cape Charles, Inc.
Class instructor may re-assign students to a different level
after evaluations.
Arts Enter School of Dance follows the Northampton County
School Schedule for classes.
RH Myers: Questions about new Rural Health location
Questions for Northampton Planning Commission regarding Rural Health application. Please provide written answers with the assistance of Rural Health. Until these questions are answered satisfactorily I cannot support this application.
1. How will this application improve the medical services for the citizens of Northampton significantly above what exists today?
2. Do the benefits of consolidation in one location through providing more and better medical services outweigh the obvious fact that citizens at both ends of the County will have to travel further to obtain those services?
3. What plans are part of this application for use/sale of the existing buildings in Franktown and Bayview? Could those facilities be enhanced for less money and services increased with new equipment and more staff?
4. Why has Rural Health not considered consolidating their proposal to include existing ambulance service operations into a joint operation that could be considered an Eastville Medical Center?
5. What guarantee would be provided with this application that the Rural Health proposed relocations would NOT prevent, in any way, another independent medical provider or medical provider associated with a hospital system NOT connected with Riverside from operating at or south of the Eastville location?
6. With the aversion of Riverside Hospital System for operating its own sewage and well facilities, why is it that Rural Health is willing to do so?
7. Will Rural Health provide a 25 year guarantee that they will not request public sewage and water service from either Northampton County or the Town of Eastville?
8. With this application, please provide a written justification that this proposal complies with the current Comprehensive Plan on all aspects regarding the site selection?
9. Access to the proposed location has no vehicle turn protection. Citizens using the facility will generally be ill and will not be as attentive to driving safety as a healthy person. VDOT standards are NOT to approve left turns onto a highway such as US13 without turn signals. If Rural Health is adamant about this location, any permit should require an acknowledgement that ingress and egress to the facility from the east lane of US13 will be only by Willow Oak Rd & Stumptown Rd. It should be acknowledged that the unprotected crossover 2100 feet north of Stumptown Rd will not be used and Rural health will support its closing.
Submitted by RH Meyers, 7615 Prettyman Cir Exmore, VA
Capital Improvement Plan: Basketball Courts? Maybe?
The Cape Charles Planning Commission met Tuesday to review the capital improvement plan, which included, for the hopeful, the possibility of getting a basketball court in town. The CIP, attached here, shows the projects scheduled for next fiscal year and beyond. From staff report: “Changes to that plan are stated in the attached summary document. The Planning Commission may review the proposed capital improvement plan projects to ensure alignment with broader community development goals stated in the Town Comprehensive Plan. The Commission may make recommendations as needed. Proposed capital projects of note for next fiscal year include the basketball court, Strawberry Street Plaza, and improvements at the museum.”
See Capital Improvement Plan Here
Summary of changes to Capital Improvement Plan based on discussions at the Town Council Budget Retreat, February 5, 2015:
Pine Street Parking Lot – Re-phased to build trash management facility in FY 2016; parking lot in FY 2017. Getting quote on cost to bring first phase to 100% design/bid package.
Mason Ave. Streetscape Improvements – Added $50K place holder in FY 2017 & FY 2018.
Beach Pavilions – Added $30K for one on north end in FY 2018.
Jetty – Added $100K to increase jetty height in FY 2017.
Beach Safety – Moved $10K for swimming area from FY 2016 to FY 2015, and $26K for lifeguard equipment from FY 2016 to FY 2017.
Basketball Court – Moved from FY 2016 to FY 2017.
Improve & Landscape Drainage Areas in Central Park – Moved from FY 2017 to FY 2016.
Video Security Systems – Moved from FY 2017 to FY 2016.
Dashboard Cameras – Revised to $22K based on current quotes.
Enterprise Resources Planning System – Moved from FY 2017 to FY 2016.
HVAC Second Floor – Revised to $10K.
Chloramine System – Moved from FY 2016 to FY 2015.
Keck Wells Pipeline – Moved from FY 2016 to FY 2017.
Manhole Refurbishment – Revised to $40K.
Emergency Generator, Mason Ave. Pump Station – Moved from FY 2016 to FY 2017.
Membrane Replacement – Added $100K to “Beyond” column.