Town Council has approved, accepted and will award the construction contract for Phase II construction of the Community Trail to Kevcor Contracting Corporation in the amount of $1,626,828.35,as well as any “future contract change orders within the 5% contingency reserve”. This phase of the project, targeting Peach Street, will essentially eliminate prime parking in the commercial district, parking which is currently essential to Impact Fitness, the town’s only laundromat, as well as the future Peach Street Brew Pub, and any entity that may want to re-open the old Firehouse bistro (which is pretty much turn key). Council, during a Work Session on November 5, 2015, noted that VDOT has identified some unexecuted TAP funding and is in the process of reallocating it to the Phase 2 project. Town taxpayers will be on the hook for over $80k to fund this project, yet this expenditure is in lieu of much needed safety upgrades. Citizens are still concerned about poor lighting found around much of the town, specifically Central Park and large stretches of the so-called Community Trail.
Councilman Wendell questioned whether, after the rape that occurred earlier this year, that using funds to shore up gaps in lighting might be a more prudent use of funds versus a purely cosmetic overlay which will also have a detrimental effect on local business, “So, how much would it cost to install lighting in parts of town that, so far are not being taken into consideration? There are many folks in Town that are worried after the…recent events, and that they won’t go, or are even afraid to go into the park at night, and I can understand that. It would seem that would be the better way to spend…”
“I can give you an estimate on the lighting…we know how much each fixture would cost…it could be close to $100,000.00”, Assistant Town Manager Bob Panek said. “However, in Phase III, we can use a portion of those funds to go back and finish aspects of the project that were not finished in Phase I or Phase II.”
Council approved the award of contract to Kevcor.
Delinquent Property Taxes
From Staff Report, “Per the Code of Virginia, 58.1-3940, ‘Except as otherwise specifically provided, collection of local
taxes shall only be enforceable for five years following December 31 of the year for which such taxes were assessed.’” What this means is that after a five year period, the Town can no longer go after you to pay delinquent property taxes. Going back to 2010, the write off, which will take place until after December 31st, would be, according to staff, $66,880 less what would be collected before that date. Taxes still on the books for 2006 through 2009 is a little over $100,000. The Mayor and Councilwoman Natali voiced concerns that staff should be proactive in the future, as far as aggressively going after delinquent taxes when they are three to four years in arrears.
The Town is considering implementing the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Vehicle Registration Withholding Program, or Stop Program, that allows the Town to collect delinquent taxes and fees when taxpayers go to register vehicles with the DMV. Enacted in the Code of Virginia, this program requires all Town taxes, fees, and collection costs to be paid in full before a taxpayer can register a vehicle.
taxes shall only be enforceable for five years following December 31 of the year for which such taxes were assessed.’” What this means is that after a five year period, the Town can no longer go after you to pay delinquent property taxes. Going back to 2010, the write off, which will take place until after December 31st, would be, according to staff, $66,880 less what would be collected before that date. Taxes still on the books for 2006 through 2009 is a little over $100,000. The Mayor and Councilwoman Natali voiced concerns that staff should be proactive in the future, as far as aggressively going after delinquent taxes when they are three to four years in arrears.
The Town is considering implementing the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Vehicle Registration Withholding Program, or Stop Program, that allows the Town to collect delinquent taxes and fees when taxpayers go to register vehicles with the DMV. Enacted in the Code of Virginia, this program requires all Town taxes, fees, and collection costs to be paid in full before a taxpayer can register a vehicle.
Groveling before the Mothership
It is time once again for the Town to submit its annual letter to Northampton County begging for a contribution request for the next Fiscal
Year’s budget. As in previous years the Town is asking for monies to be allocated for use by the Cape Charles Memorial Library and
the 4th of July celebration fireworks. Last year, the Town asked for $123,000.00. The County sent back $20,000.00.
Year’s budget. As in previous years the Town is asking for monies to be allocated for use by the Cape Charles Memorial Library and
the 4th of July celebration fireworks. Last year, the Town asked for $123,000.00. The County sent back $20,000.00.
The 2016/2017 funding reques is as follows:
-Cape Charles Memorial Library and Computer Training Lab Operations – $30K
– (FY2015/2016 budget = $124K)
– July 4th 2014 fireworks display – $8K of a $15K budget
-Public Beach Safety Operations – $5K of an anticipated $30K budget
– Offshore Breakwater – $75K of a $820K project
-Cape Charles Memorial Library and Computer Training Lab Operations – $30K
– (FY2015/2016 budget = $124K)
– July 4th 2014 fireworks display – $8K of a $15K budget
-Public Beach Safety Operations – $5K of an anticipated $30K budget
– Offshore Breakwater – $75K of a $820K project
The Town will request Northampton County to continue its efforts to provide emergency services to the
residents of the County after the relocation of Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital and continued support for
the Cape Charles Harbor Access Road and the Cape Charles Volunteer Fire Company.
residents of the County after the relocation of Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital and continued support for
the Cape Charles Harbor Access Road and the Cape Charles Volunteer Fire Company.
Commission and Board reappointments
Michael Srub was reappointed to the Planning Commission for a term of 4 years
Russ Dunton was reappointed to the Wetlands Board for a term of 4 years
Michael Srub was reappointed to the Planning Commission for a term of 4 years
Russ Dunton was reappointed to the Wetlands Board for a term of 4 years
No thanks. Northampton County taxpayers don’t want to contribute to wasteful spending in Cape Charles.
Once again the town is blowing over 1 million dollars to TAKE AWAY PARKING SPACES FROM 4 BUSINESSES ! How stupid is it to building yet another median strip that creates more landscaping work? They don’t properly maintain the median strips on Monroe or Peach now. I can’t understand why the 4 businesses that are losing parking spaces haven’t gone to the meetings to fight this senseless destruction of parking spaces right in front of their business.
The people running this town are spending money as if they are printing it in the basement.
Instead of spending all this money to destroy public parking why don’t the spend it to give us WATER WE CAN DRINK????
As far as the county giving the town funds remember Katie Nunez and Bob Panek are VERY CHUMMY so she will no doubt shove some money through.
Runaway spending is the norm with this town. 🙁