The Edinburg Town Council met in regular session on December 13, 2011.  Mayor Harshman called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.  All Council Members were present.  Town Attorney, Kevin Black was also present.  Visitors included:  Town Police Chief, Michael Clem and Town Maintenance Supervisor, Ron Ross.

A motion was made by Councilman Beachy and seconded by Councilman Dellinger to approve the minutes of the November 8, 2011 meeting.  Motion carried. 

The Treasurer’s report was reviewed.  A motion was made by Councilman Wood and seconded by Councilman Beachy to approve the Treasurer’s report and to pay all the bills as presented.  Motion carried.

The Water and Sewer Committee Chairman, Councilwoman Minnick called attention to EEMA’s report and to Ron Ross’s Maintenance Department report.  Mayor Harshman reported that there have been a lot of mechanical failures at the Sewer Plant.  As stated on Mr. Ross’s report, a clarifier motor and a gear box have been taken to Price Electric to get rebuilt and RBC blower motor #1 needs to be rebuilt also.  Mr. Harshman reported that Siemen has not been able to come to the WTP to work on one of the filters yet, but should be there sometime the first week of January.  Mr. Harshman also reported that the WWTP permit renewal has been approved for another five years. 

The Street Committee had no report.  Mr. Harshman reported that Shentel has been having some work done on South High Street and allowed the Town to install a 1” conduit for the Town to install a light on South High Street and Shentel will also install two more lights in their parking lot off Center Street.   

The Ordinance Committee had no report. 

The Personnel Committee had no report.  Councilman Hite asked Mr. Harshman if the extra Christmas bonus discussed at the last meeting was approved.  Mr. Harshman stated that yes; the majority of the Council approved the extra bonus.  Mr. Harshman also reported that David Kent from the Maintenance Department received his CDL Learner’s Permit on November 18^th and he must hold the learner’s permit for thirty days and then will have an additional thirty days to get his actual CDL License.

The Finance Committee had no report. Mr. Harshman reported that the Town is reviewing credit card options and will make a decision after the first of the year.  Mr. Harshman also reported that he talked to Finance Chairman Beachy about the Town’s revenue shortfalls.  Mr. Harshman stated that there have been repairs since July in excess of $40,000 and now, the Dodge Truck is in the shop with transmission trouble.  Mr. Harshman talked to the Bank about refinancing the Town’s current 60-month note of $260,000, which would result in approximately $72,000 cash. Since a 12-month note has such large monthly payments, the Bank suggested that the Town might want to consider rolling in the approximately $40,000 that remains in the Town’s 12-month note, which would result in a new 60-month note of approximately $300,000.  Councilman Hite stated that he thought it should be rolled into one note.  Councilman Beachy asked Mr. Harshman if the Bank would concur to rolling the approximate $40,000 into a 60-month note to go to approximately $300,000.  Mr. Harshman asked Council to authorize rolling over the 60-month loan now and adding the balance of the 12-month note into that loan.  A motion was made by Councilman Beachy and seconded by Councilman Hite to authorize the Mayor to move forward on the loan request.  Motion carried. 

Health & Safety Committee Chairman, Councilman Wood called attention to Chief Clem’s report.  Councilman Wood thanked Chief Clem and his staff for monitoring at election time and at the Christmas Parade.  Councilman Wood also commented on the two new free cameras the Police Department received.  Chief Clem showed Council one of the pocket cameras, which records for up to two hours. 

The Property Committee had no report.  Councilman Dellinger commented to Mr. Ross that the Town lights looked good.

The Cemetery Committee had no report. 

Park Committee Chairman, Councilman Wood stated that the park was closed for the winter and he thanked Mr. Ross and his staff and Chief Clem and his staff for patrolling the park.

The Insurance Committee had no report. 

Mr. Harshman reported that he attended the November Tourism Council meeting.  The Tourism Director is still working on a possible grant to establish an Artisan Trail in Shenandoah County.  As part of this, Sherri Smith, Executive Director of the Artisans Center of Virginia and Jim Dye, one of the Center’s Board members visited the Mill.  They were very impressed with the Mill and the other sites they visited in the County.  If successful, the Artisan Trail will links arts, cultural and agritourism sites throughout Shenandoah County and promote them statewide and beyond as a network.        

Mr. Harshman reported that the new house off of West Hisey Street has been put on hold.  The owner had a last minute change of heart, but could change his mind again and move forward. 

Mr. Harshman also reported that the Mill/Visitor Center/Museum and store will open on Saturday, December 17^th.  We are going to start out with Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Once we get things squared away, we are planning to do Thursday through Sunday for the winter months.

Mr. Harshman reported that he has written a letter to the VDOT Transportation Engineer requesting an exemption for the wording on the Mill’s brown I-81 signs.  The Town is trying to get the wording of “Historic Edinburg Mill Museum”, but so far, VDOT will only allow the wording “Edinburg Mill”. 

Mr. Harshman also reported that the Town has received the occupancy permit for the lower level at the Mill.  The restaurant seating areas have a total capacity of 225.  The only remaining spaces that require approval are the third floor and the kitchen areas once they are completed.

Mr. Harshman reported that the ARB met last night to discuss the County Building Inspector’s comments on 404 North Main Street.  The Building Inspector commented that while this property was no direct threat to public safety, it was in bad disrepair.  The ARB will discuss scheduling a Public Hearing at their January meeting.  The ARB also discussed a zoning permit application for a sign for Susan’s Alterations at 309 North Main Street.  They will take a look at the sign and report back at the next meeting.  Ms. Alice Findler, member of the ARB, who owns 305 North Main Street stated that she would like to change the older siding on her building to vinyl siding.  The ARB stated that they thought this would be okay as long as none of the architectural details would be removed from the building.    

Mr. Harshman reported that the Planning Commission did not meet last month.
 

The Zoning Administrator’s report showed that five permits had been issued through December 13, 2011:

1.  Susan Ranck
     309 North Main Street
     Sign

2.  Robert Bauserman
     306 North Main Street
     Residence

3.  John Kirchofer
     516 North Main Street
     Addition

4.  Steve Van Stee
     201 Water Street
     Deck

5.  Deborah L. Heishman/Joan S. Whetzel
     105 Water Street
     Install vinyl replacement windows

The Town Attorney had no report.

Mr. Harshman reported that the Town received a quote from Inboden Environmental Services to perform wastewater discharge monitoring services.  The Town also received a quote from a lab in Verona.  Since the Town has worked with Inboden in the past and the two quotes basically wash, Mr. Harshman recommended that the Town go with Inboden.  The annual cost for the testing through Inboden is $6,372.  Mr. Harshman stated that he needed authorization to sign the contract with Inboden.  A motion was made by Councilman Dellinger and seconded by Councilman Beachy to authorize Mr. Harshman to sign the contract with Inboden Environmental Services to perform the annual wastewater discharge monitoring.  Motion carried. 

Mr. Harshman reminded everyone about the Christmas Party on Thursday, December 22^nd at noon.