Supervisors Get Updates on Public Schools Budget Needs; Lake Front Royal Road Upgrades; Linden F&R Lease Proposal

Due to an apparent “Communication Breakdown” — with a musical nod to that Led Zeppelin song title from this writer’s youth — the Warren County Board of Supervisors scheduled lead-off work session recognition of the Front Royal 12+under Little League Virginia State Championship team, which acquitted itself well in the Little League World Series-qualifying Regionals in Georgia where they were eliminated in the Regional Semifinals by the South Carolina team that eliminated defending champions Florida in the Regional Finals, it was on to other business.

The County Recognition Certificate to the 12-and-under State Champion Little League team will have to wait a week to be presented. Below, in the Little League team’s absence, County Public Schools Acting Superintendent David Martin kicks the meeting off. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

That business in order of presentation was an update from Interim/Acting Public Schools Superintendent David Martin on physical plant and related budgetary needs in the coming 2025/26 School Year; a status report on movement toward road upgrades in the Lake Front Royal Sanitary District by former Property Owners Association (POA) President Bob Roush and current POA President Andy Hunt; and finally Assistant Fire & Rescue Chief Gerry Maiatico’s presentation of a rental space proposition from All Points Fiber on the Linden Fire Company’s property.

During his Public Schools presentation (beginning 1:55 mark of linked County video after distributing supporting documents to board) Acting Superintendent Martin exhibited, not only an excellent sense of humor as noted in his below referenced “recruitment” of two Ice Cream distribution “Soda Jerks” from County staff (7:36 video mark), but also insight into this county board’s emphasis on financial details in the presentation of departmental budgetary needs.

The ice cream presented by ‘soda jerks’ softened the supervisors up at Interim Superintendent Martin’s direction. Below, Maiatico embraces the role, softening up the media as well.

Martin stressed the importance of every child in the school system and reviewed numbers, including transportation of students to and from school or school events, as well as of the number of meals and breakfasts served to students. (10:24 linked video mark)

In addition to annual issues with adequate pay to retain quality teachers and other staff positions, prominent on the list of Public School financial needs was permanent repairs to the tennis courts utilized by both high school tennis teams. The keyword there appeared to be “permanent” as structural issues related to underground terrain issues appear to be prominent on all the involved courts. See this discussion in detail beginning at 14:15 video mark.

More seriously, Acting Superintendent Martin traces Public School service dynamics and related budget numbers in extensive detail.

Dr. Martin’s coming school year and related budget presentation appeared well-received by the supervisors, and we’ll see if those supporting words are backed up as Public School budget allocations are finally voted on for the school year.

Next up was the Lake Front Royal roads upgrade presentation by the two Property Owners Association officials at the center of exploration for realization of those plans, past-POA President Bob Roush and current President Andy Hunt. County Public Works Director Mike Berry introduced the two Sanitary District representatives (45:44 video mark), with Roush taking the lead in explaining the status of the District’s work toward road upgrades.

Road safety and other variables, including drainage, road washouts, tar and Chip repairs, and insurance costs, were addressed. Roush recounted a volatile start to Sanitary District management in 2016 to improvements pursued after he got directly involved in 2019, and ongoing progress to the present.

Lake Front Royal Sanitary District POA representatives, Bob Roush at the podium and Andy Hunt seated, presented planned road improvement dynamics to the board. Roush lauded improved relations between district factions and with the County as well in working toward improved road safety in the district.

In response to a question from the board, Roush said the Lake Front Royal Sanitary District now contained 342 lots and approximately 10 miles of road system. Involved Supervisor Cheryl Cullers commended the district officials for their work on improving relations internally in the district and with the county government as well.

Public Works Director Berry responded to a question from Supervisor Cook on how the road work contract would be written, between the contractor and the Sanitary District POA or the contractor and the County. Berry indicated it would be between the Sanitary District and the contractor.

Finally up was Fire & Rescue Assistant Chief Gerry Maiatico to present a proposed lease agreement between the department for its Linden Fire Station property with All Points Fiber (beginning at 57:46 video mark). Maiatico explained that it was being arranged so there would be no physical interference with department operations or growth at the station by the proposed leasing contract. He presented a photo of the proposed All Points Fiber 8-foot by 8-foot concrete pad and some fiber equipment.

Past his fun as a soda jerk, Assistant Fire & Rescue Chief Jerry Maiatico traced the proposed dynamics of a lease arrangement at the department’s Linden Station with All Points Fiber. Below is a photo of a proposed fiber equipment pad, several of which will be installed on leased sections of the Linden F&R Station.

The lease proposal has two rental options, Maiatico told the board, one for 7 years at $300 a month or a one-time payment of $10,000 up front, the former being the preferred option from the Fire & Rescue Department perspective. And our quick math exploration indicates that it is a good choice for the department with 7 years equalling 84 monthly payments at $300 a month totaling $25,200 versus that one-time up front total of $10,000.

And after that mathematical excursion, we will wrap up this county supervisors’ work session summary.

Click here to watch the meeting discussions in detail in the linked County video referenced above.