Ron Wolff County Forum November 16, 2009
Wolff’s Sandwich Shoppe, Atlantic, VA
Meeting began at 7:00 PM
ATTENDANCE
Presenter: Ron Wolff, Accomack County District Representative
Guests in Audience: Phil Hickman, Chair, County Planning Commission, Mark Taylor, County Attorney
Audience: About 70 members.
There is no agenda or audio recorded for this meeting.
Opening Remarks: Mr. Wolff commented on the standing room only in shoppe. He gave an update on county. Due to a re-evaluation of property in northern part of the county there was a windfall in funds. Mr. Wolff discussed increasing the county’s reserves referred as rainy day fund. The increase funds were in range of $800K that was placed in rainy day fund.
Mr. Wolff commented on Wallops Research Park (WRP) and future tenants. At recent meeting, attendees were very knowledgeable of the status of WRP. Economic climate in Virginia highlights Orbital Sciences business in WRP.
Discussion on Reported Newspaper Accounts on Annexation: For this particular meeting, Mr. Wolff asked the mayor of Chincoteague to attend forum with respect to annexation. The mayor declined invitation at this time. Plans for annexation have been in Chincoteague comprehensive plans for some time as noted by Mr. Wolff. The mayor indicated no vote has been taken on the issue, and a vote may occur in January. The county according to Mr. Wolff has not been informed of Chincoteague’s annexation plan. Most of the current information has been hearsay and rumor. Much of the discussion has been in closed session and very little can be distributed at this time in regards to status and future plans. One key aspect of annexation is that services provided must be beyond those already supplied by county. Services include fire, police, and other facilities. Mr. Wolff discussed similar annexation plans by Olney and their position. Some expansions (annexations) are done to obtain more customers to pay for services such as sewer and water as noted by Mr. Wolff. It was conjectured that a stumbling block could be the validation that services are beyond those the county supplies for the Wattsville area.
Mr. Wolff discussed sewer and water issues and the future plans for Commonwealth not to have any more overboard dumping (processed sewage discharge into waterways). He believes that this may be the primary reason for Chincoteague attempt to annex Wattsville area. County is not going to allow annexation without a debate over revenues and expenses. Mr. Wolff discussed his conversation with the mayor of Chincoteague further. The mayor was not in favor of reducing the number in the BOS. Also, there was a change in trash hauling fees that altered costs for Chincoteague. In the past, part of Chincoteague Island was under county supervision.
Audience member (AM) asked if BOS is in favor of annexation. Mr. Wolff indicated BOS has never been in favor of annexation as a general rule and no BOS discussion or no vote has been taken on this matter.
At this point, Mr. Taylor led the discussion on the process of annexation. Mr. Taylor discussed the comprehensive plans for areas that are required to be updated. These plans need to be discussed in public hearings prior to implementation. He discussed the types of taxes collected by incorporated towns and county. In Richmond, there is the Commission on Local Government and this is the place where annexation plans are submitted for review. The process ends with a report and an approval for annexation by the state authorities. In between, there are discussions and hearings that will determine approval or non-approval of annexation action. For inter-governmental arrangements, discussions can be held in closed sessions. There are avenues for public input and the first possibility is the comprehensive plan. All the public is invited to speak at Chincoteague town councils even if they do not live on Chincoteague. When applications for annexation are sent to Richmond, typically they are sent simultaneously to the county as commented by Mr. Taylor.
Mr. Taylor noted that other concerns are considered other than public services when annexations are reviewed. He discussed issues of towns sometimes not planning appropriately and as a last ditch effort try to annex other areas for income considerations. AM asked what will county lose if Wattsville is annexed since county taxes will still be collected. Mr. Taylor discussed community interests and no standard mode to measure these interests. He noted there is a small differential to county in that they will lose revenues, but there are other considerations for the county. One key issue is population density and how this is interwoven with upcoming census for 2010. The mayor of Chincoteague indicated to Mr. Wolff that he thought population has increased on Chincoteague Island and annexation of Wattsville may not be critical for island redistricting to be directed by upcoming census. AM stated the WRP can be a cash cow to Chincoteague Island and this may impetus for annexation plans for Wattsville by Chincoteague Island. Mr. Wolff discussed the WRP treatment plant owned by NASA. He predicted that capacity for treatment plant will be used up by the build out of companies at WRP. Mr. Wolff believes that Chincoteague Island will not have any treatment capacity at WRP because it will be used up.
Mr. Taylor discussed various scenarios that could be issued for treatment plant at WRP. He believes that NASA has a good working relationship with county in regard to NASA resources. He also commented on new technologies that could aid in treatment plant processes. The notion that a community needs resources from another community to survive is mitigated by new technologies available for treating water and sewer. Mr. Wolff commented on community interests and how they can aid in providing for the local public interests. Mr. Wolff suggests that audience should express their opinions at Chincoteague town meetings.
AM asked if one can annex federal land. Mr. Taylor indicated that this may be possible with the proviso that one is not taking land only annexing it. Mr. Taylor discussed some other legal pathways and the county obligations. AM asked about petitions and who can authorize petitions. Mr. Taylor also commented on de-annexation and those possibilities. Concerned citizens can testify for or against annexation actions. Any citizen in Accomack County can sign petitions.
Mr. Wolff referred back to question what county may lose. He personally does not want to see WRP area given to Chincoteague; the county’s effort in establishing WRP was noted. In general, county is not in favor of annexations. Potential monies lost by county would need to be analyzed and ascertained. Mr. Wolff stated that Chincoteague has the ability to annex and the initiation of process is in the hands of Chincoteague. AM stated that citizens should go to town council meetings to speak as the best action at this time.
Mr. Wolff commented on previous census and how redistricting was apportioned ten years ago. The final redistricting was performed by the BOS. AM commented about attorneys for Chincoteague and the seriousness of their plans for annexation of Wattsville. Mr. Wolff sees no advantage to county for annexation. He stated that best current action for concerned citizens would be to attend Chincoteague town council and express their views. AM discussed strategy on how to express views about this matter to Chincoteague town council and the BOS as well.
Meeting ended at 9:00 PM
Notes by Tim Getek
N.B. These notes do not constitute the public record of this meeting. The information contained herein is offered in good faith and is presented as accurately as possible. These notes are intended to be a public service devoid of political commentary for those who are interested in following the civic affairs of Chincoteague Island and Accomack County. Notes of the meeting are recorded, transcribed and distributed by volunteers who receive no financial compensation for their efforts.
