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HomeMy Public PortalAbout1965_09_22 146 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF LEESBURG. TOWN COUNCIL, SEPTEMBER 22, 1965. A regular -meeting of the Leesburg Town Council was Held in the Council Cham- bers, Leesburg, Virginia an September 22, 1965, the meeting being called to order with a prayer by the Mayor. Those present were Councilmen C. A. English Cole , C. Maloy Fishback, Maurice R. Lowenbach, Jr. , Walter F. Murray, Robert A. Orr and John W. Pumphrey; also Town Manager James W. Ritter, Jr. and Town Attorney George M. Martin. The minutes of the meeting of September 8, 1965 were approved with general consent. Mr. G. P. Bozel , Resident Engineer for the Highway Department, addressed Council , explaining that it would be necessary to secure a right-of-way along the Town-owned property on Routes 654 and 643 in order to widen the road lead- ing to Godfrey Airport. He explained that the existing fence would be moved by the Highway Department and that he was seeking authorization for the proper officials to sign a deed for this property. After a great deal of discussion on this matter, upon motion of the Mayor , seconded by Councilman Orr , the fol- lowing resolution was unanimously adopted: BE IT RESOLVED by the Council for the Town of Leesburg, that the area requested by the Virginia Department of Highways for road con- struction owned by the Town of Leesburg, fronting on Routes 654 and 643 in Leesburg Magisterial District , Loudoun County, Virginia, be and the same shall be conveyed to the Commonwealth of Virginia with- out consideration, and that the Town Manager be and he is hereby em- powered to authenticate this action by executing the required Deed of Conveyance to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Other items of interest to the Council were discussed with Mr. Bozel. Town Manager Ritter reported that sidewalk, curb and gutter construction was progressing on Old Waterford Road, although going very slowly and that this project is about two-thirds completed. When this work is finished, the Town crew will finish widening the road around the Penn Building, which should take only a couple of days, then the work on the curb , gutter and sidewalk on S. King Street from N & G Motors south will be undertaken. Mr. Ritter informed Council of the break in the water line today, explaining that the contractor excavat- ing for the storm drainage project on Loudoun Street pulled the corporation stop out of a 4" water main. Due to the fact that there are not enough valves in the system to cut the water off in only that portion of the Town affected, the entire Town was cut off for about two hours. It was necessary to wait for all the water to run out of the system before the work could be done to repair it and then a clamp was installed. The water will have to be cut off in the entire Town again in a week or two when it is necessary to lower the water line for the storm drainage project. He stressed the importance of discussing this matter at the next Utility Committee meeting and taking some action on it. Mr. Ritter also reported the important situation existing at the Town Landfill , stating that there is no more room in this Landfill and that it is going to be necessary to move this operation. He stated that we have been most fortunate to have a Landfill within the corporate limits. The major commercial users have already been noti- fied that we are making arrangements to move to Watson. The property at Watson is about 81 miles from Leesburg and has limited bridges on the .road leading to it. He stated that we can either move to the land of Mr. George Harnmerly ad- jacent to the present Landfill , or go to Watson, that both places have their good and bad points. If we move to Watson, it will be necessary to buy a low- boy, which would be pulled by a dump truck, in order to haul the front end loader back and forth. This would cost approximately $1 ,000. Mr. Ritter stressed the importance of taking some action on this right away. • Mayor Rollins reminded that at the next session of Council on October 13th, there will be a Public Hearing on the X950,000 Referendum, which will be held on November 2. The engineers will be here to answer questions regarding this. Mayor Rollins read a letter from a Mr. Albert E. Moran with regard to future sewer line expansion, a copy of said letter being attached hereto. Councilman Cole stated that he believed the Town should wait to set the amount of the bond referendum until a copy of the water pollution bill just passed by the Senate and the House is received, in order that we might know how much relief the Town could expect from the Government. Mayor Rollins said 147 MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 22, 1965 MEETING. he did not think this was necessary, that under this bill , funds will be allo- cated through the State and that the Town might possibly get more money than previously granted. He said that this $950,000 is only an authorization, that there is nothing that says we have to spend that much. He asked Councilman Cole to prepare the maturity schedule on this bond issue. Councilman Cole asked 'if Mr. Carr was . leaving the Police Force and Mr. _Ritter stated that he would be leaving the end of this month, having been em- ployed by the Town for 2 months. Mr. Ritter also said that the uniforms ordered for Mr. Carr could be used for the new officer , with the exception of the blouse. Mr. Cole said he thought the Police Committee should study this situation and I try to find some method by which a man would be required to work for a stipulated time once he is hired and outfitted. Councilman Lowenbach said he knew of no way this stipulation could be enforced. Councilman Orr stated that his Com- 1 mittee would take this matter up at their next meeting. Councilman Cole asked why part of the sidewalk, etc. was torn out on the Old Waterford Road project. Mr. Ritter said that the first 100' of curb and gut- ter only were torn out because the Highway Department did not agree with the grade on this; stating that the Highway Department had said they would take out some humps and dips in this road, but they plan to take out only one hump and to widen• the road, nothing else. Mr. Ritter stated that if the Town was , over X 3500 population and was responsible for its own streets , this type of situation In could be built as it should be, but that as it is, we will have to live by the OM Highway Department 's plans. U Councilman Cole also asked if anyone had talked with Joe Kincaid. Council- man Lowenbach stated that he had and that Mr. Kincaid said he was tied up on • other things , .but he would meet with the' Committee as soon as possible. Councilman Pumphrey said he had two complaints: ' (1) The weeds and trash accumulation on the west side of South Wirt Street in Waverly Heights and (2) the matter of sludge being hauled or delivered from the sewer plant. Mr. Ritter said he did not believe the Town should deliver it. Mayor Rollins said he,would be in .favor of delivering it for a fee,, that it has to be hauled some- place. Councilman Lowenbach said he thinks some policy should be established I regarding this and Councilman Fishback stated that he does not think the Town should go into competition with private business by hauling this for a fee. This matter was referred to the Utility Committee for study. It was reported that Councilman Cole is Chairman of the Finance Committee and Councilman Orr is Chairman of the Laws and Administration Committee. Councilman Cole also reported- that Mr. James Anderson had complained about the weeds in Monroe Manor. Mr. Ritter stated that the owner of that property had been advised twice this summer that he must cut it down, but no answer re- ceived from him. It was suggested that the Town mow it and bill the owner. Councilmen Lowenbach and Orr suggested that the property belonging to Mr. Babson also be ,cut down. Councilman Murray called attention to a vacant lot on Washing- ton Street that should be cut down and on which he had received a complaint. It • was the general consensus of the Council that all offenders allowing vacant lots to be grown up should be notified to clear their lots. Upoh motion of Mayor Rollins, seconded by Councilman Cole, Council voted unanimously that the Town Attorney, George Martin, Esquire , be instructed and diredted to represent the Town of Leesburg and the members of the Council indi- vidually in the suit filed against the Town of Leesburg, the Fire Company and the County of Loudoun regarding the discrimination at the Firemen 's Pool located in Leesburg. Upon motion of Councilman Fishback, seconded by Councilman Cole, the follow- ing resolution was presented for discussion : ' BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Towh of Leesburg, that the Town Manager be authorized to secure estimates on the cost of placing the Phillips-Nickels Well in operation and connecting said well into the Town system. . Councilman Fishback asked for unanimous consent of this matter tonight and, there being no objection, this resolution was discussed and then adopted by unanimous vote. , • \i 114 € MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 22, 1965 MEETING. Councilman Cole nominated Mr. J. B. Vorous to be the 5th member of the Air- port Commission. Mr. Ritter stated that the Airport Commission had presented the name of Dr. Charles W. DeVier, who stated he would be willing to serve. Upon motion of Councilman Orr , seconded by Councilman Murray, nominations were closed and a secret ballot was taken, said ballot revealing that Mr. J. B. Vorous was appointed to the Airport Commission for a two-year term, beginning September 1 , 1965 by unanimous ballot. Mayor Rollins asked that the Airport Commission direct him (the Mayor ) to notify Mr. Vorous of the first meeting of the Commission. , Councilman Cole reported that the Finance Committee recommended the follow- ing with regard to the Budget presented by the Airport Commission: t (1) That Mr. Ritter have the runway rolled at the lowest possible cost. (2) That travel expenses up to $250.00 be approved , but that vouchers for same be presented to Mr. Ritter , stating where travel was to and for what purpose. (3) That legal fees be stricken from the Budget , Mr. Martin's services to be used for this purpose. (4) That stationery and postage in the amount of $35.00 be approved. (5) That telephone in the amount of $125.00 be approved. ° The total budget approved by the Finance Committee would be $1 ,410.00. Upon motion of Councilman Cole , seconded by Councilman Fishback, Council voted unanimously to approve the Airport Commission Budget , as presented, with the exception of legal fees, which is deleted. .Upon motion of Councilman Orr , seconded by Councilman Cole, Council unani- mously appropriated $1,000.00 for the rolling of the runway at the Airport. Upon motion of Councilman Murray, seconded by Councilman Lowenbach, Council unanimously appropriated $250.00 for travel expenses, provided vouchers are submitted to and approved by the Town Manager. Upon motion of Councilman Orr , seconded by Councilman Cole, Council unani- • mously appropriated $35.00 for stationery and postage , vouchers to be sub- mitted to and approved by the Town Manager. Upon motion of Councilman Orr , seconded by Councilman Fishback, Council • unanimously appropriated$125.00 for telephone expenses, vouchers to be submitted to and approved by the Town Manager. Upon motion of Councilman Lowenbach, seconded by Councilman Orr , Council voted unanimously that the above money appropriated should come from the Air- ' port Account. Upon motion of Mayor Rollins, seconded by Councilman Orr , the following resolution was placed on the floor : WHEREAS, the Town of Leesburg has sold its bond in anticipation of bond issued bearing date September 13, 1965, payable September 13, 1966, to the Riggs National Bank of Washington for $475,000, and accrued interest of 5102.93 from date of note of September 13, 1965, to date of delivery on September 16, 1965, and has received the pro- ceeds, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council that the proceeds thereof in the sum of SS400,000 be and they shall be invested as follows : ' Negotiable Time Certificate 1. Deposit No. 1219 of the Riggs National Bank of Washington, D. C. for $100,000, dated September 16',: 1965,' maturing November 16, 1965, at 4%. 2. U. S. Treasury Bills maturing August 31 , 1966 in the sum of $300,000 at 4%. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the balance of said proceeds in the sum of $86,702.93, as per letter of Riggs National Bank dated September 17, 1965 , be and they shall be deposited in an account entitled Pub- lic Improvement Account, and all other proceeds from the sale of 149 MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 22, 1965 MEETING. $475,000 Public Improvement Bond Issue shall be deposited in said ac- count , and the Treasurer shall account for such money separate from all other funds as prescribed by Section 15.1-206 of the Code of Vir- ginia, as amended. • Councilman Cole explained the purpose of this resolution. Mayor Rollins moved to amend the last paragraph, fourth line , to read "Public Improvement Account in the Peoples National Bank of Leesburg". This amendment was seconded by Councilman Murray and unanimously adopted. The resolution, as amended , was then unanimously adopted.' Councilman Orr stated that he thought the Council owed Mr. Cole a debt of gratitude in the handling of this matter and the Mayor concurred. 111 Upon motion of Councilman Orr , seconded by Councilman Lowenbach, the follow ing resolution was unanimously adopted : BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that an amount of $13 ,603.04 be appropriated to pay Tri-County Asphalt 's in- voice for paving Municipal Parking Lot , such funds to be appropriated from the Public Improvement Account. Mayor Rollins asked for unanimous consent to vote on the following matter 30 tonight : ` En o BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, that the G: Treasurer be directed to transfer from the Utility Fund to the Gene- O ral Fund an amount equal to ten cents per thousand gallons for water 0 metered each quarter of the fiscal year. There being no objection to considering this matter tonight , upon motion of the Mayor, seconded by Councilman Orr , the resolution was unanimously adopted. A very lengthy discussion with regard to the location for a new Landfill (the present one being almost filled) followed , with the various members express- ing their views. The possibility of using land in the corporate limits belonging to Mr. George Hammerly was discussed , along with the possibility of using the • Town-owned landfill property at Watson, approximately 8 miles out in the Count,;. Councilman Murray moved that we move the Town Landfill to Town-owned prop- erty located at Watson and that the necessary arrangements be made to use this' facility forthwith. This motion was seconded by Councilman Fishback. Councilman Orr moved to amend this motion to add that the Town Manager be author- ized to secure bids for the purchase of a low-boy and that an additional man be hired, if needed , to maintain the sanitary landfill at Watson. This amendment was seconded by Councilman Cole and a roll call vote of 5 to 2 passed the amend- ment, those voting against it being Councilmen Lowenbach and Pumphrey. Council- man Pumphrey moved that this resolution be tabled and, referred to the Public Works Committee. This motion was seconded by Councilman Orr and a roll .call vote showed 4 to 3 , those voting against it being Councilmen Cole, Fishback and Murray. Mr. Ritter said that Mr. Hammerly has given permission for the Town to use. his landfill on a day to day basis at $1.00 per day, but he can stop us at any time. Mayor Rollins said that a decision must be reached on this matter at the ' next session of Council. (-Councilman Councilman Cole brought out several points with regard to the $950,000 bond referendum, but no action was taken at this time. Councilman Cole also pointed out that both sites for the proposed holding pond are at the same elevation and it was the general consensus of the Council that Johnson and Williams conduct tests on both sites. There being no .further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:1 .M. / Mayor . 4 Clerk of ie Council Sterling, Virginia September 13 ,' 1965 TO THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LEESBURG, VIRGINIA: Mr. Philip W. Smith and I own a tract of land fronting on the Potomac River a short distance West of the Interceptor Sewer line . tie understand that the Town is considering building a sewer line from Leesburg to the Interceptor Sewer. If this should be done, it appears that it would run through our property for about 1700 feet. ' In the event this line is built through our property and we are given the . right to connect with the sewer line , we are willing to pay for the costs of constructing the sewer line through our property. This offer, of course , is conditioned on the sewer line being built within a reasonable time with the right on our part to withdraw at anytime we elect to do so . In the event this offer should be accepted by the Town we would, of course, require that the work be done within a stipulated period of time in the agreement we would make with the Town. Very truly yours , om,t . ta&C--' Albert E . Moran