Supervisors approve small sanitary district, EMS cost sharing with Rappahannock and new WCSO position amidst diversified agenda

The Warren County Board of Supervisors first November meeting covered a range of business the morning after Election Day 2020, none of it being ballot-related in this off year for a county election.

Who’s that sneaking round my back yard? – Tony Carter makes his way to his seat at meeting’s outset. Royal Examiner Photos by Roger Bianchini – Royal Examiner Video by Mark Williams

Following a revisiting of earlier discussions or public hearings the board unanimously approved:

1. creation of a small 14-lot, 12-home Shannon Woods Sanitary District;
2. a split funding arrangement with Rappahannock County for a staff position at the Chester Gap Volunteer Fire Department at $5,000 per month, per county. The added staff position will address a staffing shortage allowing more than one person on duty, particularly to respond to EMS life-saving calls;
3. modifications to a request to add seasonal agricultural classes and seminars to an existing Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a Rural Events Facility on a farm property at 4022 Rockland Road. The request by Gregory and Mary Huson was modified after further discussion with planning and zoning staff resulting in the elimination of those new classes being held indoors, Zoning Administrator Joe Petty explained to the board. Previous public hearing discussion indicated those classes would be held indoors but questions arose around Health Department water availability for bathroom use standards related to the number of involved people taking the classes at a given time.

The supervisors also authorized Sheriff Mark Butler to add a new crime analyst position and fill a vacant officer’s position with a sergeant without a vote since he explained he is able to fund those positions within his existing budget. Butler told the board he will actually be able to save money with the new staff since he has been filling the staffing gaps utilizing existing personnel with overtime pay.

Sheriff Butler makes his case for new positions, settling for less than 12 Wednesday – but promising he will be back after a more detailed review of departmental needs by the board.

The agenda summary indicated that the sheriff was seeking authorization for 12 new positions, a number moved up from an original agenda draft six positions. However, North River Supervisor Oates indicated some hesitation before a more comprehensive understanding of the department’s staffing responsibilities versus existing personnel. Butler agreed the board should understand what they would be funding and promised he would be back to request what he said were necessary positions across his department to make it function optimally and safely for all involved.

Several CARES Act COVID-19 pandemic expenditure adjustments were also approved after detailed explanation by County Deputy Emergency Services Coordination Rick Farrall.

Above, Deputy Emergency Services Coordinator Rick Farrall and Interim Attorney Jason Hamm review CARES Act number prior to meeting. Below, Farrall and Interim County Administrator Ed Daley go over CARES numbers during the meeting.

At the meeting’s outset the board got monthly reports from VDOT, the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office, the Department of Social Services, and the founder of public school based “Reaching Out Now” program designed as a support mechanism for secondary students and teachers. They also got a detailed update on county public schools progress in adjusting to student needs in the partially in-house, partially virtual pandemic learning environment from Superintendent Ballenger.

WCPS Superintendent Dr. Ballenger explains the evolution of the system’s partial virtual, partial in-school pandemic teaching methods.

And during a Public Comment period delayed to allow the various agency reports to be made in a timely manner, representatives of Front Royal Unites revisited their assertion that the majority, non-binding referendum vote to keep the Confederate soldier statue in place on the courthouse lawn, should not be the deciding factor in the board’s decision-making process.

County Fire Marshal Gerry Maiatico introduces six new Fire & Rescue personnel to the board that funds their salaries. Trust me, it’s worth it.

See these presentations, votes, and discussions in this Royal Examiner video: