MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2008, AT 7:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE STRASBURG TOWN HALL.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation was given by Rev. Clarence Acklin of the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.

ROLL Called with the following members present:  Mayor Crisman, Vice Mayor Taylor and Council Members Le Vine, Mauck, Nicholson, Terndrup, Wallace, and Whittle.  Absent:  Council Member Rinker (family obligation).

Minutes of the January 8, 2008 and the February 12, 2008 Town Council meetings were approved as submitted.

Mayor Crisman welcomed all in attendance and said all communications had been directed toward the appropriate committees.  A moment of silence was held in memory of Mr. Jim Moore, a former Council Member.

Introduction of Visitors and Guests:

Citizen Comments

Non-Action Items:

Richard Seelbach, 133 E. King Street, Strasburg, VA:  Mr. Seelbach spoke in favor of the Women’s Self Protection class by saying he was retired from Northwestern Community Services and he had two of his clients murdered.  He hopes all will support this program. 

Kim Bishop, 728 Crystal Lane, Strasburg, VA:  “With only three minutes available I’ll get right to the point.  There are some on this Council who believe they know what’s best for everyone else and that everyone who disagrees with them is an ignorant buffoon who can’t do the right thing.  I went through this argument during the discussions on bike helmets and I will go over it again on recycling.

I personally have no problem with recycling.  I don’t do it very often, but I have no problem with people who do.  I have a problem with the fear mongering sold to us by the environmental nuts all over the world, and I have a problem with you all telling me that I have to recycle, or at least pay for it whether I want to or not.

Believe it or not there are informed people out there who disagree with the arguments put forth by the pro-mandated recyclers.  Here are a few myths written by Professor of Economics at Clemson University, a senior associate of the Political Economy Research Center, Daniel K. Benjamin in 2003:

Myth – Our garbage will bury us.

Truth – “The total land area needed to hold all of America’s garbage for the next century would be only about 10 miles square.”

Myth – Our garbage will poison us.

Truth – “The EPA acknowledges that the risks to humans from modern landfills are virtually nonexistent.”  “Modern landfills eliminate essentially any potential for problems.”

Myth – Recycling always protects the environment.

Truth – “The EPA has examined both virgin paper processing and recycled paper processing for toxic substances and found that toxins often are more prevalent in the recycling process.”  Also, “curbside recycling requires more trucks be used to collect the same amount of waste materials,” “This means more iron ore and coal mining, steel and rubber manufacturing, petroleum extraction and refining, and of course, extra air pollution.”

Myth – Without forced recycling mandates, there wouldn’t be recycling.

Truth – All throughout history people have been picking through garbage to see what they could “recycle.”  “Long before…governments had even contemplated the word recycling, makers of steel, aluminum and many other products were recycling manufacturing scraps and some were even operating post-consumer drop-off centers.”

“Recycling is a long-practiced, productive, indeed essential, element of the market system. Informed VOLUNTARY recycling conserves resources and raises our wealth.  In sharp contrast, misleading educational programs encourage the waste of resources when they overstate the benefits of recycling.  And MANDATORY recycling programs, in which people are compelled to do what they know is not sensible, routinely make society worse off.”

Now, for my own personal thoughts.  I have been informed by Mr. Le Vine that you all are able to transfer funds from one fund to another, within the budget.  I take this to mean that even if the recycling pays for itself, therefore lowering the price of garbage collection, that the price will never go down for citizens so you all can siphon off funds for other things.  Shame on you if this is a fact.  I am opposed to MANDATORY recycling, let us, the ignorant masses, make our own decisions!”

Joyce Gary, 744 Crystal Lane, Strasburg, VA:  “My comments tonight are two-fold and not directly related, except they speak of the problem of the budget shortfall.

First, I’d like to comment on the article regarding the Town’s budget which appeared in today’s Northern Virginia Daily, with specific reference to raises for Town Staff.  The article first indicated that part of the budget cuts would be to not raise salaries and then near the close of the article, it stated that you were looking for ways to raise salaries.

You should know that I spent more than 30 years of my life working in the labor movement, so my focus has always been with the employee; however, there are times in which all of us have to accept reality and understand that salary increases might not be a possibility --- it certainly happened to me more than once.  That being the case, it is incumbent upon employers to find ways to mitigate that reality.  What bottom line good would it do to raise salaries and then have to raise taxes and/or fees to pay for those increases?  So, I might suggest that it is more practical, albeit harder, to take the hard road and just say that there will be no salary increases this year and look for other ways to acknowledge the work done by our Town Staff --- maybe an extra holiday or two? A longer lunch hour?

Which brings me to my second issue: last year the matter of water/sewer charges in the spring and summer months was brought to the Council’s attention because water used for gardens, lawns, and the like, was subject to the sewer rates for general water use.  The Council said they would look into it, but we’ve heard nothing about it since.  Well, nothing except it is my understanding that one resident was told that it was a dead issue because the Town needs the money.  And now, another water rate increase is in the works, which is going to exacerbate the problem and the rate increase has been explained as necessary to help off-set the budget shortfall.  If it is true that this matter will not even be considered, then we should be told that and why.

In closing, I do want to say that it must be an overwhelming responsibility to have to find ways to keep this Town financially viable, to maintain services we all want, and to keep as many people as possible, it not happy, then at least not completely ticked off, and I don’t envy you that responsibility, but I do feel, as do others, in somewhat of a quandary because as you go through this worrisome task, the people of the Town need to see and hear evidence of decisions made on the basis of practicality and on the priorities of the residents instead of person al agendas and political expediency.  I hope you will remain vigilant in that endeavor.”

Reports and Communications from Town Officers:

Town Attorney Neal:  Concerning the Second Street vacation he had emailed information to Council about, he does not think the ordinance was ever actually drafted and recorded.  The property has changed ownership several times since then and is now in the hands of a lender.  He has communicated to the lender that as soon as it changes hands again, the ordinance will be properly signed and recorded.

Regarding the Sonner/Davison suit, he has talked to Attorneys Clay Athey and Kevin Rose and neither of them know of any oral arguments; he was not able to speak with Attorney Whit Robinson and so he is not sure if he has gone before the Supreme Court for oral arguments. 

Town Attorney Neal was asked to draft a Pocket Park agreement and he gave copies of this to both the Strasburg Fire Department and Hometown Strasburg for comments.  His understanding is that Hometown Strasburg will do the maintenance on the park; the insurance will be through the Town of Strasburg.  For this to work, the Town will have to have the legal responsibility for maintenance so this has been put into the agreement and then delegated to Hometown Strasburg. 

Town Attorney Neal concluded by saying he does not believe he is in the running for the judgeship so he doesn’t think the Town will need to look for another Town Attorney for at least another year.

Town Manager Fauber:  Work is continuing on the Needs Assessment for the Public Safety building and with Springsted on the HR study. The drainage study in the Fort Street area is ongoing with Urban Engineering.

Included in the Final Agenda was a letter regarding the VCDBG Planning Grant the Town received in the amount of up to $15,000.  The initial $3,000 has been reserved and requires the Town to initiate five activities which are outlined in the letter.  A Public Meeting will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2008 to introduce the grant to the community and to fulfill one of the steps.  Much of Staff’s time will be devoted to this grant during the next few months and he believes this will be the bulk of grant activity for awhile.  

Town Manager Fauber said Director of Finance Mullins was planning to attend the meeting, but was still in a meeting with pool personnel and Director of Public Utilities Tewalt was sick and unable to attend the meeting.  Mr. Fauber reported the Water Treatment Plant plans were still with the Virginia Department of Health and Staff is continuing to work with Mr. Jim Allen of Rural Development on funding options on this project.  Surveying work has started at the Waste Water Treatment Plant for the expansion project.

Council Member Le Vine asked for some clarification on the letter in the Council Packet from VDOT.  Town Manager Fauber explained the Revenue portion of the Urban Construction Program is being cut and the Town could lose potentially $400,000 over the next five years, but he is not sure of the entire affect.  Mayor Crisman said the Town had received a notice of funding cuts last year and asked if this was additional cuts or just a continuation of last year’s notice and just informing the Town again.  Town Manager Fauber said he believes this would be additional cuts to those heard about last year.  He also spoke about the 599 funding (the State aid received for law enforcement) and cuts that may be made in this and also the ABC taxes.

Council Member Le Vine asked about the voting location being moved to the Strasburg High School.  If the Town elections are held in May, would the school system close the facility for Town elections?  Vice Mayor Taylor answered that he spoke with the Assistant Shenandoah County Administrator about this and was told the calendar has not been made for two years in advance (when the first affected Town election will be held), but the school system is planning to schedule for the schools to be closed.  The District 6 precinct would be divided into two voting locations --- Town residents would vote at Strasburg High School and Shenandoah County residents would vote at Signal Knob Middle School.

Council Member Nicholson asked how long the Health Department had to finish reviewing the plans as he thought it was 60 days.  Town Manager Fauber said he believed the 60 days is correct, but was not sure when that actually began, but felt they would be completed in the near future.

Director of Finance Mullins:  Attending the Pool Management meeting.

Town Clerk Keller:  Asked that all members of Council let her know by Monday, March 24, if they are planning to attend the Town & County Dinner Meeting on April 2, 2008.  Also, please inform her if they are planning to attend the Strasburg Fire Department Annual meeting. 

Director of Public Utilities Tewalt:  Absent due to illness.  Update was given by Town Manager Fauber.

Director of Public Works Rhodes:  Said he had provided his written monthly report in the Council Packets and did not have any additional comments.    

Police Chief Sutherly:  The Police Department will be sponsoring a women’s self protection class in April at the Strasburg High School (flyer attached here-to). 

The department responded to 869 calls for the month of February, resulting in 90 adult arrests. 

Mayor Crisman read an email he received from Justos Cruz who has been helped by the Police Department commending the Police Department and thanking them for the assistance they had given to him over the past few months.  Specifically mentioned in the email were Sgt. Conner and Officer Sager.

Town Planner Amos:  Reported the VCDBG Planning Grant was awarded to the Town in the amount of $3,000, which can be increased by $12,000 once all the steps are satisfactorily completed.  It is not currently known what the Town will want to do with any additional funds.  The first Public Meeting required will be on Thursday, March 13, at 7 p.m. and they are hoping for citizen input at this meeting.  The grant will be further explained at that meeting.  The first management team meeting will be held on March 19 at 11:30 and Council Member Wallace has agreed to be the Council representative on this.

The Planning Commission will review a proposal from Herd Planning and Design, Ltd. who has agreed to help the Commission complete the Comprehensive Plan update and review.

Information items Planner Amos mentioned were that on March 20, Governor Kaine will be holding a Town meeting in Front Royal.  Also, on the third Thursday of every month, Mr. Ande Banks, a legislative aide to Congressman Goodlatte, visits the Town Hall between 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.

Council Member Le Vine asked about the job description included in the packet for Director of Economic Development and Planner Amos said any comments can be forwarded to her and she will pass them onto the committee.  Council Member Le Vine feels the person should be a liaison between the Towns and the County and this responsibility should be included in the description.  Planner Amos said both the proposed Director of Economic Development and the Agriculture Development Director will be forwarded to the County Finance Committee for consideration for inclusion in the budget.

Standing Committee Reports:

Public Safety Committee:  Vice Mayor Taylor said the committee met on February 27, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.  The agenda consisted of informational items.  The committee was updated on the needs assessment for the public safety building and everyone was pleased with how the process is proceeding. 

Asst. Chief Wilkins sat in for Chief Sutherly and reported on the department’s thoughts on a drug blight ordinance and the inoperable vehicle ordinance.  They are in favor of pursuing the drug blight ordinance, so this will go to the Ordinance committee for discussion.  They are content with our current inoperable vehicle ordinance.

Asst. Chief Wilkins shared what their department has been doing in preparation for various emergencies.  He shared the worksheet they had completed via our Emergency Action Plan.  The committee talked several minutes about emergency situations, evacuation issues in case of a closing of I81, and transportation issues in general when dealing with emergencies.  He is looking into the possibility of creating a website that contains emergency information.

Personnel Committee:  Council Member Whittle reported the only meeting held during the past month was the Executive Session with Town Manager Fauber.  Work is continuing on the Springsted HR Study.  No meeting will be scheduled for March.

Public Utilities Committee:  Council Member Nicholson said the committee did not meet and they are still waiting to hear from the Virginia Department of Health.

Recreation Committee:  Council Member Mauck said the Playground Committee met two weeks ago to finalize the plans for the building of the playground on March 26 – 29, 2008, with the Grand Opening on March 30.  The committee is still in need of volunteers especially on Thursday, March 27 and donations are also still being accepted.  The next meeting of the playground committee will be Tuesday, March 18 at 6:15 p.m. at the playground site. 

The Strasburg Pool will be opening on May 24 and plans are being made for this.

Finance Committee:  Council Member Le Vine said the committee met on February 26, March 5, and March 10, 2008.

Attendees in aggregate: Council Members Le Vine (Chair), Terndrup, and Whittle, Vice Mayor Taylor, Town Manager Fauber, Director of Finance Mullins, Director of Public Utilities Tewalt, Director of Public Works Rhodes, Chief Sutherly, Lana Le Vine, Staton Strother, Suzanne Sukhram, Elizabeth Wilkerson, and Tim Williams.

Discussed at the meetings were:

1)      The Town is considering a tax deferred program for employees.  The committee met on March 5 with Marquetta Mitchell of Edward Jones Investments and will meet with a representative of Nationwide next week.

2)      Fire Department Renovations:

Ø      The County recently passed a cost-sharing ordinance for these types of improvements, but the County decided not to assist in the cost of the renovations

Ø      The Department has agreed to do much of the work and the cost would be $21,700.

Ø      Town Manager Fauber stated funds are available to pay for renovations this year

Ø      Decided to authorize Town Manager Fauber to spend $21,700, equally drawn from general, water and sewer funds

Ø      Discussed policy adopted August 2007 by the

:  “…Town Manger can spend up to $2,000; also in net he can’t spend more than 5% of the reserves.  If the request is more than $2,000 or more than 5% of the reserves has been spent, then the Town Manager would need to go to the Chairman of the Finance Committee.”

Ø      This is first time policy has been used and important for Council to know of action and to comment if anyone feels policy should be modified.

Vice Mayor Taylor pointed out some of the things that should be considered with the renovations:

1. The County takes care of the insurance for the Fire and Rescue Departments.  They also give an annual contribution of $30,000 to each department.  They have paid for portable radio replacement for both units and they pay the fuel costs.  In their budget, they give $123,000.  County has already spent over $200,000 over budget to address our inability to handle EMS calls.  This occurring due to the lack of volunteer staffing at the Rescue Squad to cover the call volume.  They have given more than their fair share of financial assistance.
2. Fire Department agreed to house a county rescue unit to eliminate overtime costs.  This created an even more crowded situation from the one that already exists.
3. County paid personnel now reside in the fire hall due to the ambulance being placed there.  There are no shower facilities to accommodate not only paid, but volunteer personnel.
4. The county now has four full-time female EMTs.  Some of these will be pulling overtime in our fire hall and currently the bunk room is one large room.  We need a separate room for males and females.
5. The bunk room is located upstairs and there is no air conditioning in the upstairs of the fire hall.  This will be an issue during the upcoming summer season.
6. The current bunk room also has poor insulation in and round the windows.  The room is cold during the winter months.
7. There is a long flight of steps that personnel has to currently use when going from the bunk room upstairs to get to the apparatus downstairs.  This is a safety issue that concerns them.  The renovations will put the bunk room(s) downstairs.
8. When we first looked at this project, we were looking at figures over double of what the volunteers say they can do the work for.  The volunteers have put together a renovation package that will take care of their needs for $21,700.  They are volunteering their own time and equipment to get this done!
9.  We are in the process of planning for a new public safety building, but realistically a new building may take anywhere from three to five years before it is complete.
10.   We are the only fire station in the entire county that currently does not have a shower facility.

Vice Mayor Taylor feels it is money well spent.  Council Member Whittle agrees moving forward with the renovations is the right thing to do and it is probably long overdue.  He thinks the County does a lot, but he would like the County to have committed to do some cost sharing on this project because the Fire Department is helping out with the overtime pay by allowing the County to house a rescue squad unit in the building.  Also, many of the calls of both departments do go out into the County.  He would have liked a cost-sharing especially seeing they just voted on this new agreement regarding this type of request.  Council Member Nicholson believes the Strasburg Rescue Squad probably answers about 50% calls in-town and 50% out-of-town.

      3)     Grants

Ø      At staff-council work session agreed that Finance Committee would propose three alternatives for grants to Council and give members one week to comment.

Ø      This overcome by reality that we received $15,000 grant from Department of Housing and Community Development

Ø      Hopefully, this statement fulfills Finance Committee commitment

4)      Current Budget –status

Ø      Best judgment of staff is that will end this fiscal year with balanced budget

Ø      This assessment will be updated at every Finance Committee meeting

5)      Proposed budget – 2008 – 2009 

Ø      He encouraged all to attend the meetings on the budget

Ø      Confusion in press report – NO decision made to cut 10% from department’s operating budget

Ø      Below are general findings from the Finance Committee meetings which Council Member Le Vine explained in his report:

Budget Summary

2008 - 2009

REVENUE

General Fund Revenue:

v      No increase in taxes or any other fees

Water Fund Revenue:

v      Minimum water increase from $11.55 to $12.72 (2,000 gallons or less)

v      Rate for 1,000 gallons over min. from $5.60 to $6.17

v      Availability fees are based on 50 new houses

Sewer Fund Revenue:

v      Minimum sewer increase from $12.10 to $13.32 (2,000 gallons or less)

v      Rate for 1,000 gallons over min. from $6.10 to $7.23

v      Availability fees are based on 50 new houses

EXPENDITURES

v      No salary increase for employees

v      No new employees

v      Constant level of services (e.g., no recycling)

Examples of Water Bills:

COUNCIL ISSUES

v      Draft Budget

Ø      Reasonable Assumptions?

Ø      Inclusive of Items?

Ø      Accurate in Projections?

Ø      Adequate in Efficiency?

                                                                        ADOPTED as baseline

v      Fixed Costs

Ø      Any Exclusions? (i.e., not ‘fixed’)

Ø      Additions?

                                                                                    ADOPTED as baseline

v      Sources of Revenue

Ø      Inclusive?

Ø      Accurate?

Ø      Clear?

                                                                                   ADOPTED as baseline

v      Capital Expenditures:

Ø      Inclusive?

Ø      Reasonable Estimates?

Fiscal 2008 - 2009

ü      Waste Water Treatment Plant engineering                   $1,000,000

ü      Engineering for new Water Plant                                 (already borrowed)

ü      Capital Improvement Plan (approved May 07)     (up to) $3,000,000

ü      Water Plant replacement                                            $12,000,000

                                                                                                      -$16,000,000

Fiscal 2009 - 2010

ü      Waste Water Treatment Plant                                     -$15,000,000

Fiscal 2010 - 2011

ü      Public Safety Building                                                 -$5,000,000

                                                                                    ADOPTED as baseline

v      How do we eliminate the 2008 – 2009 shortfall

General Fund             ($87,000)

Water Fund                $43,000

Sewer Fund               $11,000

Total                      -$33,000

Ø      Distribution?

§         Balance each enterprise fund separately?

§         Subsidize general fund from water/sewer funds?

Ø      Cut discretionary funds?

§         Which ones?

§         How much?

§         What is the impact?

Ø      Raise taxes/fees?

§         Which ones?

§         How much?

Ø      No immediate pay off of Town bonds

§         2011 -- $26,000/year payment

§         2013 -- $81,560/year payment

§         Six others mature later

v      Do we raise salaries?

Ø      How much?  (~$30,000 for 1%)

§         Merit v. cost of living?

§         Tiered structure?

§         Phased implementation (e.g., start I January)

§         Fixed amount (e.g., $X/employee)

Ø      Sources of revenue?

§         Taxes?

§         Reduced Services?

v      How do we prepare for debt service?

2008 – 2009  Water Plant

$16M for 30 years at 4.25% (total cost of $28.6M)                            -$954,000

$16M for 40 years at 4.25% (total cost of $33.3M)                            -$833,000

2009 – 2010  Sewage Treatment Plant

$15M for 30 years at 4.25% (total cost of $26.8M)                            -$894,000

$15M for 40 years at 4.25% (total cost of $31.2M)                            -$780,000

2010 – 2011  Public Safety

Ø      $5M for 30 years at 4.25% (total cost of $9.5M)             -$298,000

Ø      $5M for 40 years at 4.25% (total cost of $11.1M)           -$260,000

§         No payments for first 24 months (pay for next 30 years; interest reflects this grace period)

§         Build reserve now?  If so, how much?

§         Wait until payments due and then raise revenue?

v      How do we prepare for the future?

Ø      Will economy be any different in 12 months?  24 months?

Ø      Will we be able to reduce discretionary funds further in 2009 – 2010 to account for inflation?

Ø      Can we continue to put off capital improvements into 2009 – 2010?

Ø      Can we continue to have ‘minimal’ services into 2009 – 2010?

Ø      What do we anticipate for salary increases?

v      Actions for March 24^th meeting?

a)      Staff

Ø      Are there any interest payments first two years after loan disbursed?

Ø      Survey of machine tool and business license rates

Ø      Procedure for raising vehicle decal fee

Ø      How deeply can current baseline budget be decreased without affecting quality of services?

b)      Discussion of donations  

c)      Salary Adjustments

Ø      How much?  (~$30,000 for 1%)

§         Merit v. cost of living?

§         Tiered structure?

§         Phased implementation (e.g., start I January)

§         Fixed amount (e.g., $X/employee)

d)      Increases in revenue (see attached list of sources)

General Fund

Water/Sewer Fund

Trash Fund

§         Balance 2008 – 9 expenses

§         Prepare for water plant, sewer upgrade, public safety building loans

e)      Duration of water plant loan

§         $16M for 30 years at 4.25% (total cost of $28.6M)                      $954,000/year

§         $16M for 40 years at 4.25% (total cost of $33.3M)                      $833,000/year

Council Member Mauck said every Town-owned building has a maintenance fee built into the budget except for the Fire Department and the building is owned by the Town and maybe by placing a maintenance fee in the budget, the Town wouldn’t have to come up with the $20,000, but could do it gradually.

Council Member Nicholson said his understanding of the raising of water and sewer rates by 10-12% is to offset the cost of improvements to the treatment plants.  He is not in favor of “raiding the water and sewer fund to pay other bills” because this money will be needed in the future to pay for these improvements.  Council Member Le Vine said if you increase the water rate by 10% and the tap fees for 50 houses, then the water fund is “in the black” by ~$40,000 and the sewer fund by ~$11,000.  He agrees the Council needs to decide how to handle this. 

Council Member Terndrup said he has gone through this process and it is a process of understanding.  He said he would be overwhelmed with the report as it has taken him hours and hours to understand where the figures are coming from.  He hopes the citizens will come to the meetings and give input.

Ordinance Committee:  Council Member Terndrup reported the committee met on Monday, March 3, 2008

Attending:  Chairman Terndrup, Mayor Crisman, Vice-Mayor Taylor, Council Members Le Vine and Mauck, Planning Commission Chairperson Smith, Town Planner Amos, Planning Commissioner Terndrup, Michael Terndrup and 2 visitors from Middletown who are also entertaining a like ordinance.

Discussion was on the Historic District Ordinance.  Chairman Terndrup thanked Mr. Smith for his subcommittee work.  It was decided to suspend the alignment of ordinance to the Comprehensive Plan until action is taken on the proposed plan.  Two models of the Historic District were presented.  The Vice-Mayor offered a plan based on an ordinance from Tyler, Texas that limits the authority of the ARB to an advisory role, and allows a property owner to opt-out from code enforcement.  The 2004 revised plan creates a powerful ARB with distinct enforcement powers.  A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the proper extent of government authority over property rights.  One view is to enact an ordinance with the necessary enforcement powers to compel a minority of property owners to meet appropriate standards of protection for historic properties.  These historic properties warrant protection, “not only for their own value as community resources, but also because of their contributions to the town's unique character." (Comprehensive Plan)  The alternate view contends that since the great majority of property owners support such protections, and they invest in the maintenance and improvements of their properties, that the weight of such attitudes would influence the minority to conform to appropriate standards, without government compulsion.  There was a general agreement that the qualifications for the ARB needed to be such to exude confidence from the public in their objectivity and expertise.  It was also agreed that the ARB needed to play a greater role as an informational and educational resource.  This discussion will continue in a special meeting on Wednesday, March 12 @ 7 p.m.

Buildings and Grounds Committee:  Council Member Wallace said the committee met in conjunction with the Public Forum on February 25 where Planner Amos gave a presentation on the recycling program.  Planner Amos said she feels this program will pay for itself in time and there will be an article in the Town’s newsletter (to be included with water bills) concerning this program. 

Council Member Mauck said the Town has received two letters from citizens who are not only in favor of paying for the recycling, but will contribute more for those who can’t afford to pay the added fee.