Draper Aden Associates Representative Lori Kroll spelled out water and sewer issues and challenges for the town council at a meeting held on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. (Staff photo by Jerry E. Clark)

Clifton Forge Town Council To Seek 9.4% Combined Water & Sewer Rate Hike City's Dam Designated As 'High Hazard'; No Real Estate Tax Increase Expected By Jerry E. Clark   Clifton Forge, VA (May 10, 2016) - Clifton Forge Town Council members often decry the lack of attendance of average citizens at their regular meetings. That won't be the case at the next two: for after a detailed presentation by Lori Kroll of Draper, Aden Associates, on the various challenges the town faces with respect to water and sewer issues, it was revealed that the current $96 per month combined water and sewer rates (in place since about 2012) will be proposed to rise to $105 for the fiscal year. Council will hold the first reading of an ordinance to that effect at its second monthly meeting set for May 24th and will hold a final reading at its first meeting in June. The good news is that the $3 monthly "lateral" charge will end at the end of the current fiscal year, but the bad news is that the regular rates will climb $9 monthly. Town Manager Darlene Burcham noted that it probably wasn't good policy to hold the rates constant year after year instead of enacting regular, but small increases - which she proposed that council change for the future. There is little doubt that town council will hear from the public about the proposed increases at the upcoming pair of meetings. Budget Presentation Town finance director LeeAnna Tyler supplied council and the public (a total of about 7 people composed the audience,not including two members of the press) a detailed breakdown of proposed revenues and expenditures for the coming fiscal year. Only about a $22,000 increase in next year's total budget is slated, from $2,863,499 to about $2,885,099. And there is no provision for any town employee pay hikes, she noted. "There is not any (budget) growth (only .08%)," she said, "but we will continue to provide the same services. The town's real estate tax rate of 21 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, enacted in 2008, also will remain the same, as will the $6.70 per hundred personal property tax rate (which, by the way, is one of the highest such tax rates in the state, surpassed in 2014 only by Pittsylvania at $8.75, Spotsylvania at $6.78, and Stafford at $6.89. Many Virginia towns have higher real estate tax rates.) Tyler said that included in the budget was the 8% individual health care premium increase for town employees - the cost of which didn't have the full effect because the town's VRS (Virginia Retirement System) contribution rate was reduced for the coming year. Tyler also noted that the town would continue to support many community-based agencies and programs as in the past. Major Projects - Capital Improvements Tyler listed several general fund capital improvements projects, the cost of which will be about $221,000, several water fund projects amounting to $741,750 and projects affecting the sewer fund in the amount of $450,000. Funding for these would come from loan proceeds, some may come from grants applied for, some paid for in cash, she said. Kroll's Bad News Draper Aden Associates representative Lori Kroll was thorough with her breakdowns of costs and revenues for the town's water and sewer funds and told council that what it was experiencing in terms of challenges was not unusual, owing to the fact that both federal and state funding for many infrastructure needs had declined up to 25% over the past couple of decades. When one combines these facts with ever-increasing regulatory requirements, many localities are getting financially squeezed in the process. Kroll also noted the steep decline in the population of Clifton Forge over the past few decades, which doesn't allow for costs to be spread over a larger number of customers -as is the case in Alleghany County. Combine this with the fact that the county also enjoys revenues from a number of "institutional" or large business customers, and the disparity between the charges for similar services becomes more understandable, she said. The need to make many improvements will result in the town having to ask for increases in both its water and sewer rates, she said - and owing to both regulations and others costs, the town probably should enact regular hikes in these rates as well. Kroll spelled out the history of the Alleghany County - Town of Clifton Forge wastewater cost dispute, and remarked that errors in the agreement had been addressed in a recent agreement to end a lawsuit on the issues. The town's cost of the debt service for the new wastewater treatment plant will decline from 0.26% to 77% and will be based upon actual usage and a three year "rolling average", she said. The town signed a consent order with the Virginia Department of Health over filter media problems at its water plant in 2007, she said, and that agreement resulted in the installation of water meters. But adding to water supply costs was a change in dam safety regulations which eventually will result in the town having to spend $8.5-$9 million to upgrade its Smith Creek dam, which due to its design and the fact that it was built in 1949, along with a statistical analysis resulted in the dam being designated as a "high hazard" facility. In a worse case scenario, a damn failure has potential downstream impact involving deaths and a huge amount of local property damage. The town is working with the Forest Service to get some deed irregularities corrected and even a buffer zone is being worked out to allow the town easier access for long term maintenance. "The project needs to go forward," she said, "since the town is operating under a two-year "conditional permit" from the Department of Health. The town hopes to get a USDA Rural Development grant to fund the improvements, but may have to fund the cost of construction first before getting reimbursed. Engineering fees to get things started are included in the next fiscal year's budget. When all of this is expected to be done wasn't clear, but according to town manager Burcham, "As long as we provide evidence that we are working on a solution (meaning an attempt to meet state regulations)" the town will be able to get along with state regulators. "This is a long haul," she explained. Two grants dealing with the associated costs already have been received, she noted. And Kroll said that when all the work is finished, the dam should last another 100 years. Other Action • town council unanimously approved a request from Clifton Forge Main Street the closing of Ridgeway and Main Streets from Race Street to D Street, including that part of Jefferson Avenue that extends from the south side of First Citizens Bank's driveway, beginning at 11 a.m. through 12:15 p.m. on July 4, 2016 for the annual Stars and Stripes celebration. • council also unanimously approved a request from the Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation for the closing of Church Street between Commercial and Jefferson Avenues, 20 minutes prior to the start of each show and remaining closed until one hour after each show for spectators to depart. • a representative from Congressman Griffith's office will be available in the Armstrong Room at the Library from 1 a.m. - noon on Thursday, May 19, 2016. • Town offices will be closed on May 30, 2016 for the Memorial Day holiday. • citizen John Hillert asked for council's consideration in allowing some additional signage for the upcoming Heritage Day events (see video at John Hillert Addresses Town Council • citizen Dianna Kling Smith reported a positive opening of the town's downtown market. See her comments in a video at Dianna Kling Smith Talks About Downtown Market Manager Comments • Town Manager Burcham announced that new signage has been placed at various city parks informing dog owners about controlling their animals and their waste. Fines up to $500 may be imposed on those who violate the town's ordinance, she noted. "I hope people take the regulations seriously," she said. This action came about as a result of complaints at a recent meeting about dog owners allowing their animals to poop on city monuments, the grass areas nearby and at city parks. • Burcham said that in cooperation with VDOT and the Parks and Trails Committee, a local bike trail is being developed and a plan will be issued for public comment soon. A meeting in the Armstrong Room at the Library is et for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17th. The town is seeking local comments on the concept. • an effort to secure more broadband access includes the need for residents and business owners to complete a survey, she noted. The Virginia Department of Community Development is apparently working to improve broadband acess in the Craig, Alleghany, northern Botetourt County, Iron Gate and Clifton Forge areas, she said. A study on the subject might be completed by the end of this summer. Comments From Councilpersons • Jeff Irvine noted that the town's water plan had recently received a nice performance award. • Johnette Roberts praised both presentations (budget, water and sewer issues) and indicated that she was pleased that new signage had been placed at city parks to deal with animal wastes. • Bob Umstead noted that perhaps 200 bikes had been given away as a result of the annual bike event promoted by Sheriff's Deputy Chris Fisher which was "absolutely wonderful," and he said he agreed with the new waste signage effort. • Gayle Hillert talked about the "Fishing with Angels" event set at the Amphitheatre for May 14th, whereby the Smith's Creek will be stocked with trout to allowed locally disable 5-18 year-olds get poles, enjoy face painting, hear the Announcers, with the Nicely Taxidermy planning the mount the largest catch of the event. Hillert also remarked that town mayor Brinkley's recent surgery apparently went well and that "we all wish him the best." The mayor apparently signaled that he wanted to come to the meeting but was told just to take it easy and recover soon. A regular check of his email has yielded many get well soon comments it seems. Town Council then entered an executive session, apparently in an effort to deal with a real estate issue. (Editor's note: residents may think of the proposed rates as a 6.1% increase over today's actual fees - $99, but that includes a $3/month lateral fee which is ending. Council may, at its option, choose to change the proposed fees, but its consultants have recommended the $105 total so that the costs of maintaining the system properly can be met.)

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