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Plans to Move Concrete Plant, Welcome Asphalt Plant Top Business at PE Co. BOS Meeting

   Written by on November 20, 2014 at 12:41 pm

The November meeting of the Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors convened on November 18th. The regular meeting date was changed in observance of Veteran’s Day. Calvin Gray led the Board and audience in the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. All of the Board members congratulated Calvin Gray on his election win. He responded in kind, thanking all and said that he looked forward to working with the members as he served the Prospect district.

Major items of business before the Board this month were two public hearings that were held during the regular meeting. Both hearings were related to a rezoning request and the filing of a special use permit. The rezoning request asked that a parcel of land, namely 50+/- acres known as Tax map parcel #21-A-83B, west of Farmville along the Route 460 corridor, be rezoned from agricultural/conservation to agricultural/residential. The special use permit requested that a concrete plant and asphalt plant be allowed to operate on the same parcel of land.

Newman Concrete currently operates in town behind the train station and Farmville Cooperative. It has been in business since 1955, and needs to change locations in order to grow to better meet the needs of the surrounding area. The current location causes their concrete trucks to have to cross High Bridge Trail leaving and entering the premises.

Adams Asphalt is also making a bid to build a plant on the same parcel of land as a partner of Newman Concrete. Currently there are no asphalt plants in the immediate area. Adams, according to their website, makes use of green initiatives such as recycling asphalt and “Warm Mix” technology. The company does work ranging from large commercial contracts to driveway paving.

The parcel on 460W makes for an ideal location, according to Robert Maxey, of Maxey-Hines Surveyors.  The natural slope of the land affords proper storm water retention. The geography of the site will also keep odor and noise to a minimum. Additionally, the parcel’s location on 460W would benefit both plants in terms of transportation. The proximity to the proposed Luck stone quarry will greatly benefit both plants logistically as well. The proposed move by Newman Concrete would allow the company to add three to five full time drivers as the company grows to meet the growing demands of the community. Adams Asphalt would need between 13 and 15 full-time employees at their new facility.

One citizen asked about noise pollution from the asphalt plant, but was satisfied with the noise boundaries that Rick James of Adams Asphalt projected for the plant’s operation. According to his estimates, the noise from the plant would be negligible. When asked about the environmental impact of the plant, Mr. James assured the Board and citizens that the plant operates only under the strict guidelines of the Department of Environmental Qualities and maintains adherence to all guidelines.

Both motions were passed unanimously after their respective presentations.

In other business, Donna Nunnally, the Treasurer for Prince Edward County spoke to the Board about the pros and cons of billing twice for yearly real estate taxes. Billing twice would cost the county more in postage and paper, as well as the time to print the bills. There was some discussion as to whether or not citizens know that they can pay their taxes in installments as opposed to one lump sum.

The Board passed a motion to begin using a consent agenda format for the meetings. This format allows perfunctory items of business to be passed without discussing them one at a time.

In highway matters, the Rt. 633 or Virso Rd. project is completed, according to the VDOT update. Also, the bridge on Rt. 665, or the Darlington Heights Rd. was completed ahead of schedule. The work on the Back Hampden-Sydney Rd. or Rt. 643 is also on schedule and going well. The Twin Bridges project; Rt. 623, is estimated to be finished in June of 2015.

The Town has asked that the County share in the cost overage of the burn building that has been approved to be built. The Board is going to ask for more information before it rules on this matter.

The County has endorsed the Cost Recovery Resolution for structure fires. A provision exists for $500 soft billing for structure fires. This recovery will help area volunteer fire departments a great deal. The county maintains that this is an endorsement, not a mandate.

Finally, the room reserved for use by the visiting Circuit Court Judge needs to be refurbished and furnished. The cost for carpeting and furniture is approximately $7,000. The motion to do this work passed unanimously.

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