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Farmville Town Council Votes to Improve Farmville Airport 

   Written by on November 20, 2014 at 12:43 pm

The regular meeting of the Farmville Town Council convened on Wednesday, November 12th. Justin Reid, Associate Director of the R.R. Moton Museum, spoke first during the public participation portion of the meeting. Mr. Reid thanked the Council for the consistent support the Town gives to the historical site. Currently, this support is evidenced by the construction of new entrances and parking area for the museum. The work is made possible in part by a grant from the Virginia Department of Transportation Enhancement Program. This work is just one phase of a larger plan for the museum, which includes building a replica of one of the three tarpaper shacks that were used as classrooms in 1951. The overcrowded shacks helped to instigate the student strike and eventual lawsuit against segregation that year. Other improvements include a mural by nationally renowned artist Hamilton Glass, a bus pull-off, and parking lot. Contributions from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission, in addition to the VDOT grant will make the project possible.

Ms. Cox, of Longwood University reminded Council of the upcoming holiday break. Town Manager Gerald Spates showed a short video of Longwood University’s 2014 Rock the Block event. Rock the Block is an annual event that features many local businesses, music and fun for incoming students.  Mr. Spates pointed to the event as an example of the solid relationship that exists between the Town and the University.

A Resolution of Appreciation for Donald Blessing was adopted by Council. Mr. Blessing has served as the attorney for the town since 1984. He was recently appointed to the bench to serve the 10th Circuit Court of Virginia. Mr. Blessing, in a heartfelt response, expressed his gratitude for being given the opportunity to serve the Town for so long. He also spoke warmly of the many relationships that have developed as a result of his position as attorney for the town.

The Treasurer’s report revealed that the line of credit for the town had been used only once and that there were no plans to use it again this year.

Several important items were covered in the Town Manager’s report. The environmental work has been completed on the Osborne Road project and the next work will start in the spring. It has been determined that the ThermoPave issue will go to mediation. Work continues on the Sportsmen’s Arena. Work on the roof was scheduled to begin on 11/13/2014.

The Town of Farmville was given a Gold Achievement Award for its Water Treatment Plant. It is the highest honor of its kind given in the state of Virginia.

The Town of Farmville made an application for a Virginia Department of Fire Program eligible Prototype II Class A Burn Building in May of 2013. This highly specialized type of building is to be used as a training facility for the fire department. The bid for contract to build the burn building opened in September of 2014. The low bid for construction of the burn building was $531,000, and a contract to build was awarded in October of 2014 to Jamerson-Lewis for the amount of $529,682. Several reasons made the construction of a training facility such as this beneficial to the town of Farmville. The current training sites are in Blackstone and Buckingham. Removing personnel and equipment from the town for training exercises at these locations leaves the town at risk of being understaffed and underequipped in the event of an emergency. The facility would be used by other fire departments in the area. Additionally, the fire department in Farmville is made up of volunteer staff, with the exception of one paid worker per day. An all paid department would raise costs dramatically.

In order for Farmville to be eligible for grant funds from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, it has to construct a Class II structure burn building instead of class I. The unexpected change makes the town responsible for all costs over $450,000. Project costs are $529,682. The difference of $79,682 will be taken from the Recreation Department budget.

Improvements to the Farmville Airport were addressed in the November meeting as well. The Town needs to purchase two parcels of land from Frank C. Andersen in order to extend the runway from the present 4,400 feet to 5,000 feet. This extension will allow larger aircraft, such as smaller corporate jets, to land there. Other improvements are slated to take place at the airport, provided the funding to make them is available. They are as follows: upgrade the current automated weather observation system, (AWOS), construct a new road and apron area, and perhaps build a new sign at the entrance. Airport projects are 98% funded by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Virginia Department of Aviation. The town of Farmville will be responsible for a 2% financial match. According to a Commonwealth of Virginia Statewide Impact Study made in August of 2011, the Farmville airport is directly or indirectly responsible for 44 jobs, $1.6 million in payroll and $3.6 million in economic activity. The airport is currently home base for 34 aircraft – 33 planes and one helicopter.

Farmville has become another site for Virginia “LOVEworks.” “LOVEworks” artwork is currently set in over 35 different locations across the Commonwealth as part of the “Virginia is for Lovers” campaign. A local craftsman won the bid to design and construct the 9’+ LOVE signage that will grace the corner of  Main St. at the entrance to High Bridge trail near the Green Front warehouses. According to Mr. Spates, the sign is intricately designed, well built, and will be a welcomed addition to the Town.

Other business of the November meeting included: a motion passed allowing Town Manager Gerald Spates to purchase a pickup truck with liftgate from Henrico County for $6,000. The Town Council will adopt a consent agenda format for conducting business at the regular meetings. This format makes for more efficient use of time during meetings, allowing it to be spent on current topics as opposed to reviewing perfunctory items one at a time. Changes will be made to the Town employee’s holiday schedule, allowing them to take off the day after Thanksgiving and the day after Christmas. Finally, changes will be made to the employee handbook regarding the acceptance of gifts. The changes will be made to reflect the policies of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

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