Dillwyn Revs Revitalization
Published 4:32 pm Thursday, June 9, 2011
DILLWYN – Revitalization continues to be a major focus for town council. As the town gears up for a revitalization project slated for the business district, council is ensuring Dillwyn's website also gets a makeover.
The May town council meeting began with a presentation by Bill Clements, the town's new webmaster, on changes to the website, www.dillwynva.org.
Clements provided an overview of his plans for the site and offered a demonstration on the ease in navigating its contents.
After the presentation, council officially welcomed Clements and concurred with his recommendations, which included the use of Yahoo as its web server.
Early this spring, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development announced that Dillwyn was on the receiving end of a $663,640 Community Development Block Grant in response to the town's application for funds to assist in its business district revitalization effort.
Town Clerk Peggy Johnson reported that the revitalization team is meeting on a regular basis to complete the necessary tasks and paperwork prior to the project's implementation.
She updated council on efforts to appoint members to the loan pool board. A component of the project includes a loan pool to provide low interest loans to businesses that can enhance the town's job market.
Johnson added that Virginia Relay, which is providing the required TDD (telephone device for the deaf) service, has sent the VA Relay logo for the town to include on its letterhead.
The clerk advised council that some items need to be addressed by the contractor before VDOT would sign-off on the completion of Phase Three of the Transportation Enhancement Project.
The third phase in the town's streetscape efforts involved replacing the sidewalks in the main portion of town and landscaping that area with decorative lighting and several trees.
Johnson shared that the town is on the tentatively approved list to receive grant funding for Phase Four of the project.
However, hopes for funding assistance through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management's Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant may be going down the drain.
Noting the application deadline is fast approaching, Johnson told council that she has not received substantiating paperwork from business owners on previous flooding incidents and the resultant repair costs.
Several council members agreed to contact those business owners to encourage their participation.
Councilor Sarah D. Walker reported that the town's annual spring clean-up campaign drew several more participants than in the past.
She advised that awards would be presented during the June 14 meeting.
Council approved two requests for zoning permits including one from James O'Bryant to close in a back porch; and, one from Fred DeMaio to place a sign advertising Tri-Boro Shelving on property he owns in the town.
During an update on Ellis Acres Memorial Park, Clerk Johnson reported that with the improvements at the park, the insurance has increased to $896.50.
Currently, the park is included on the town's liability insurance policy through the Virginia Municipal League. In turn, EAMP reimburses the town for the cost.
Councilor Diane Holman-James, who serves on the park's executive committee, said the park needed more trash receptacles and appreciated council's offer to share half of the proceeds from its litter grant to help with the purchase of the containers.
Council approved the FY12 litter grant application and authorized Mayor Ervin Toney to sign the application.
Reporting on the efforts of the town's 100th anniversary committee, Councilor Sandra Moss said the committee continues to meet to formulate plans for the 2012 event.
Council unanimously agreed to the purchase of new brushes for the street sweeper.
Concurring with a request from the Virginia Municipal League, council approved a proposed amendment, as presented, to include Line of Duty Act coverage for members.
In a related matter, council agreed to continue its insurance coverage with the VML Insurance Programs at an annual cost of $5,561.
Johnson reported that the town was notified of rate increases for service provided by CenturyLink and Dominion Virginia Power.
She said the town's CenturyLink bill is increasing by approximately $2.42 per month; and, the Dominion Virginia Power bill by $32.
