Chincoteague Beacon
December 9, 2010
Council stays focused on beach access
By Greg Merritt • Staff Writer
CHINCOTEAGUE -- The subject of beach access drew the attention of the Chincoteague Town Council at Monday's monthly meeting, much as it has for most of the year.
Town Planner William Neville presented the council with a proposed letter to send to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with a goal of keeping automobile traffic moving to Assateague Island, including both the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and the Assateague Island National Seashore.
The council unanimously approved the letter with just some minor revisions.
Town Attorney Jon Poulson suggested the letter put greater emphasis on the state's investment in the new bridge that connects Route 175 with the road to the beach.
"The state didn't spend all that money to have Assateague closed," said Poulson.
In other council news:
The council unanimously reappointed Steve Potts and Lynn Ballerini to the Chincoteague Recreational and Civic Authority.
Mayor Jack Tarr announced the town's annual Christmas Home Judging Contest will take place Dec. 20, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Residents who want to have their homes judged should call the town office and be put on the list.
The council unanimously voted to created a new division to the Town Code, Chapter 62, Division 5 concerning water conservation.
VDOT's Tom Rakowski sent a report to the council detailing the progress of the new bridge complex. In the report, Rakowski writes: "Demolition of Black Narrows Bridge is almost complete." He wrote that the Marsh Island spur is now complete, but will not be opened to the public until work is completed on the old bulkhead.
Rakowski wrote the "project's present scheduled completion date is now April 2011."
Lori Walton spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting and stated electrical boxes had been installed within 10 feet of her condo on Marsh Island. Mayor Tarr instructed town officials to help her contact VDOT for possible solutions.
It was announced at the meeting that Chincoteague Police Chief Eddie Lewis was recently presented with a Jefferson Award, for all the community service the police department perform. Those in attendance gave Lewis a big ovation.
The council ended the public portion of the meeting and went into executive session to discuss the evaluation of Chief Lewis and Town Manager Robert Ritter.
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This article is redistributed by permission of the Chincoteague Beacon.
