Lafayette Dickens

The Town Council of Blackstone, Virginia, will conduct a public hearing regarding the proposed financing of water supply system infrastructure improvements. The project includes the replacement, equipping, rehabilitation, and site work for installing and connecting a waterline providing raw water from the water intake at the reservoir to the treatment works, along with related administrative, engineering, and financing costs. The town proposes to fund the project in part by issuing bonds not exceeding $10,000,000, secured by revenues from the water and sewer system.

The committee meeting addressed several key issues. A significant portion of the discussion revolved around a water leak problem at a Mexican restaurant, involving insurance coverage and contractor liability. The committee also reviewed a potential waiver of liability and discussed the costs associated with the water leak repairs. Finally, the meeting included a discussion of a long-term care insurance plan for employees, exploring options for employee contributions and potential tax deductions.

This meeting discussed the implications of a police officer leaving their position, including the impact on vehicle assignments. The possibility of providing a stipend for officers living within a certain distance was raised. The need to fill two positions, including a CDL driver operator, was also discussed, along with the possibility of hiring additional part-time help, including younger workers, while adhering to insurance and age requirements. The discussion also touched upon the hiring process and the need to ensure compliance with regulations.

The meeting focused on discussions regarding the voting day slasher referendum and draft questions. Public hearings were advertised concerning the referendum issue with the armory and community center. The Attorney General's opinion on the proposed informal voting day was discussed, highlighting concerns about its proximity to a referendum. The process for a referendum election was explained, including the steps required for authorization by the town charter and the submission of questions to the judge for approval. The council discussed the wording of referendum questions, aiming for simple yes-or-no questions. The possibility of including a question about doing neither project was considered. Financial figures for the armory and community center projects were reviewed and debated, with discussion on the size and cost of potential buildings. The availability of grant funding for new versus renovated facilities was also discussed, along with the potential for county participation. The meeting also included discussion on the town's historic business district, specifically addressing the inclusion of churches in the district and the potential impact on tax revenue.

The Planning Commission meeting addressed several rezoning requests and a text amendment to the zoning ordinance. Key discussion points included a rezoning request to allow a double-wide manufactured home, a rezoning request for properties on North Main Street to allow a modular home, and a text amendment to permit computer-based gaming establishments. Concerns were raised regarding the legality of the skill-based gaming machines and their potential impact on property values and the neighborhood. The commission also discussed the lack of state regulation and taxation of these machines.