Eastern Shore News
November 5, 2009
Council has a secret, may tell all in a month
By Greg Merritt
Staff writer
CHINCOTEAGUE -- The Chincoteague Town Council has a secret and for now the members are not sharing it with the public.
That was the most pressing news from Monday evening's monthly council meeting.
Members of the council talked about having a secret, but did not divulge just what the secret was.
Councilman John Henry Howard went so far as to propose the town delay hiring a new town planner to pay "attorney fees" for the secret, but still did not tell in open session just what has been going on behind closed doors --legal matters are lawfully discussed in close session.
Anyway, Councilman John Howard stated that the secret would be shared with the public in about a month.
He also withdrew his proposal to delay hiring a new planner.
The council went into executive session at the end of the meeting to discus "legal matters." Town attorney Jon Poulson did not attend the meeting.
In other council news:
Accomack County Supervisor Wanda Thornton spoke to council, giving members an update on the workings of the Accomack County Board of Supervisors. She said that in the near future the board may act to trim the number of supervisors from the present nine to five members, the old number that used to serve on the board. "We would have to take part of the mainland," said Thornton.
Joe Justice of Chincoteague spoke during the public participation portion of the meeting. He said his motel on Chicken City Road has been flooded four times in recent weeks. "I've been flooded with rain water," said Justice.
So far he has spent a little over $4,000 to repair the damage. He asked the council to install a floodgate near Capt. Bob's Marina to combat the problem.
Willie Moore spoke during the public participation portion of the meeting and asked the council to prepare a resolution to name the new bridge in honor of his father, William Lee Moore, who recently passed away.
Moore presented a petition to council with more than 300 signatures of local people who wanted the bridge named in his memory.
"He loved this island and its people," said Moore.
William Lee Moore was more popularly known as William the Fish Man.
Tommy Clark, owner of Don's Seafood Restaurant and Chattie's Lounge, asked the council to hire a new planner, after he noticed on the agenda a proposal to delay hiring a new planner.
Clark said with the coming of the new traffic pattern caused by the new bridge, the island needed a planner to help with potential problems.
Capt. Robby Fisher reported that the Chincoteague Police Department received 2,399 calls during the past month. Of those calls, 126 were for 9-1-1 and there were 62 ambulance calls. The police had 278 calls for assistance, three for breaking and entering, one DUI arrest and served 40 traffic summons. The police gave 30 warnings.
Fisher reported the department had received its new Chevy Tahoe and will have lights installed before it is ready for service.
Public Works Director Harvey Spurlock reported his activities revolve around drainage and clean-up activities. Spurlock has been working with VDOT to try to prevent future flooding where the new bridge connects with Maddox Boulevard and Main Street.
Spurlock told council "flapper" gates will be installed at various locations to help with flooding.
He told the council that the town's Christmas Decorations will be going up on Nov. 16.
Town Manager Robert Ritter reported the town's revenues from the meals tax and the transient occupancy tax have been about the same as last year.
He told council that Massey Design has been purchased by Bowman Consulting. Massey has been working on the Streetscape design for Main Street.
Ritter reported that VDOT is sticking with its schedule for the new bridge to be finished in mid to late January.
Because of bridge construction on Nov. 12 or 16, there will be a lane closure from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. New beams will be arriving.
The lane will be open only for emergency vehicles during the time of closure.
The council voted unanimously to approve a lot line vacation on lots at Silver Sails for Mr. and Mrs. William R. McCain and Mr. and Mrs. Jay D. Parsons.
Mayor Jack Tarr signed a proclamation proclaiming Nov. 8-14 at Cemetery Cleanup Week within the Town of Chincoteague.
Mayor Tarr presented a $2,000 check to Councilwoman Ellen Richardson for the Oyster and Maritime Museum. Richardson invited everyone to come to the museum and see all the interesting displays.
Councilwoman Richardson stated the next cemetery cleanup will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.
She announced that an anonymous donation of $1,000 had been received to purchase a vault at Thornton Cemetery.
The council approved unanimously a motion to change the availability fee for connections that do not add to increased demand. In such cases the fee "shall" be waived.
The council voted 5-1 for changes in the Parks and Recreation ordinance. Councilman Jim Frese was the only vote not in favor of the changes because he felt the penalties too harsh.
The council voted unanimously to have a public hearing on a wind energy ordinance.
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This article is redistributed by permission of the Eastern Shore News.
