Chincoteague Beacon
January 7, 2010
Council hears frustration over drainage woes
By Greg Merritt
Staff Writer
CHINCOTEAGUE -- Drainage, or the lack thereof, took center stage at Monday's regular monthly Chincoteague Town Council meeting as local residents used the public participation portion of the meeting to vent their frustrations.
Karen Jarvis and Patsy Savage brought pictures of the flooding that has taken place on Horseshoe Drive where they reside.
"Water is landlocked," said Jarvis. "And this is rain water."
Jarvis said the water is under houses on the street and has nowhere to go.
Savage, who has lived on the street since 1974, said the street "stays swamped with water and sewage is running into the water."
Savage said she has been talking with the town for years, but the flooding has been getting worse.
Public Works Director Harvey Spurlock said that Chincoteague has been subjected to 47 inches of rain since the first of July. "That's 10 inches above what we average for the year," he said. "We've had three events that are 25-year events this year."
"We know drainage has not been taken care of like it should have been," said Councilman John Henry Howard.
"We need a comprehensive plan," said Councilman John N. Jester.
The discussion briefly spilled into the public area of the council chamber with several people talking with members of council and the mayor.
"These people have a problem," said Councilman Terry Howard. "It's terrible."
Spurlock said he is formulating a storm management plan and hopes to have the plan ready within about a week.
The council voted unanimously to retain the services of Clark Nexen Architects and Engineers as a storm water management consultant to help deal with all the drainage issues on the island.
In other news from Monday's Town Council meeting:
The council welcomed new Town Planner Bill Neville, who replaces Jared Anderson, who also was present at the meeting. Anderson stepped down from the position to attend law school and was on hand at the meeting to help finalize the town's Comprehensive Plan.
Councilman Terry Howard praised the good work performed by the Chincoteague Police Department. Police Chief Eddie Lewis reported his department helped over 60 families during the Christmas season. He also reported his department raised around $30,000 that will be spent helping the community.
Town Manager Robert Ritter said that January is a busy month for the town office. The town is opening a Virginia Employment Commission satellite office to help set up the 20 new employees needed by the Broadband Authority. He noted that one hold up with the new cable is that it cannot be completed until the spur of the new bridge is finished.
Mayor Jack Tarr announced the winners of the town's annual Christmas decorations judging that took place just before the Christmas holiday. The Judge's Choice Award went to Jack and June Moyer, while the Most Festive Award went to Connie Bailey. The Most Illuminated Award went to Dill and Arlene Wilgus. The Most Traditional Award went to Ricky and Mandy Betts. Honorable Mention went to Barbara Kambarn, Chester Williams and Ray Rosenberger. Winners in each category received a $100 savings bond.
The council wrestled with a proposal by island resident Ruth Lane to have the town serve as holder of an easement making her one-acre lot an open space. While all the council expressed support for the open space ideal, some had reservations about the town's role in holding an easement on private residential property. Councilman John N. Jester expressed concern about the language of the proposal using the words "in perpetuity."
In the end, the council was divided on the proposal with Terry Howard, Nancy Conklin and Jim Frese voting in favor of the open space proposal and Ellen Richardson, John Henry Howard and John N. Jester voting against it. Mayor Jack Tarr voted against the proposal, sending it down to defeat.
The council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the application for state aid to public transportation for the town's trolley service, the Pony Express. The service has a fiscal year budget of $75,400. Jack Van Dame presented the proposal to council.
The council sent a proposal to change the zoning from C1 to C2 on a parcel of land owned by Phillip P. Ettinger adjacent to Oyster Bay to the Planning Commission as required by law. The Planning Commission has 30 days to return the proposal to council for a vote. The proposal was presented by Jeff Potts of Coldwell Banker. Town Attorney Jon Poulson cautioned that the landowner search the deed carefully to make sure none of the covenants from Oyster Bay are part of the deed.
The council voted unanimously to accept a bid from Eastern Shore Surveyors to survey Ocean Boulevard extended for a possible bike path. The bid was for $2,000 to survey the path.
The council voted unanimously to re-appoint Mollie Cherrix and Ray Rosenberger to the town's Planning Commission. The re-appointment is for four years and will expire on Dec. 31, 2013. The council will accept nominations for a third position on the commission vacated by Bob Behr, who did not wish to be reappointed.
The council discussed an upcoming course for Planning Commission members and members of the Town Council. The Certified Planning Commissioner training will be held at the Eastern Shore Community College and will cost $450 per person. This is the first time the 10-week course has been offered on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
Most of the council did not comment during the Mayor and Council Announcements or Comments portion of the meeting that came after more than three hours of regular meeting. Councilman Jester did mention three things.
First, Jester congratulated Major Randy Mills for successfully completing the FBI National Academy. Then he reported that the cabin being restored on North Main Street has been examined by experts, who state the building may be more than 200 years old. Thirdly, Jester reminded residents that Accomack County tax assessments received recently can be appealed.
Mayor Tarr said the council will have a workshop on Jan. 21 at the Council Chambers, beginning at 5 p.m.
The council ended the meeting by going into executive session to discuss "personnel matters." Mayor Tarr said employee evaluations would be discussed in the closed meeting.
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This article is redistributed by permission of the Chincoteague Beacon.
