Town Council Reviews Goals at Retreat in Advance of Work Session

On April 6, in advance of a work session, the Town Council met for a retreat, in which the mayor and council members reviewed goals that they have carried over from past retreats and assessed the extent to which many of them have been fulfilled or partially fulfilled. They also identified goals that have appeared on their radar more recently. One such item is the urgent need for sidewalks and curb cuts on multiple existing sidewalks, brought to the council’s attention by Councilman Glenn Wood. Among completed or nearly completed items was the redundant water line in the corridor, which Town Manager Joseph Petty indicated is almost ready for testing. Due to how long it has been in development, Mayor Lori Cockrell emphasized that completion will be a cause for formal celebration.

The mayor and Town Council give the press a smile in advance of a retreat held before a work session on April 6. Royal Examiner Photo Credits: Brenden McHugh

Less celebratory, under the banner of pursuing the well-being of the community, are buildings that, because of their appearance or structural deficiencies, have become a matter of concern for the Town. Petty explained that extreme measures are to be reserved for the absolute last resort, while the Town is more likely to collaborate with property owners, thereby establishing that steps are being taken to remedy the problem. Tangentially, the Afton Inn was mentioned, and Cockrell testified that significant progress has been made, including the installation of steel beams inside the structure, which she and others witnessed during a tour of the premises. This is a perfect example of Petty’s collaborative solution. Incremental progress is being made and, for now, interventionism is unnecessary.

Finance Director B.J. Wilson presents the proposed FY27 tax rates for real estate, personal property, and personal property relief, in anticipation of advertising them the following day.

Having acknowledged other infrastructure projects still in progress and identified economic development as an area for continued collaboration, the council moved into the work session, where the members first heard from Finance Director B.J. Wilson about the tax rates that needed to be advertised the next day. The mayor entertained at length a discussion of how the salaries of Town employees might be augmented through the rates in the interest of retention. However, consensus could not be reached on the necessary adjustments, and in the end, the consensus was that the rates should be advertised as recommended by staff. Next up was Purchasing Manager Michelle Campbell, who presented the proposed purchase of a pickup truck for the water treatment plant and several items related to the sanitary sewer system. Wilson reappeared to address budget amendments regarding a reimbursement.

3: Purchasing Manager Michelle Campbell presents to the council the proposed purchase of a replacement pickup truck for the water treatment plant, as well as several items pertaining to the sanitary sewer system.

Having discussed which members would serve on various committees and having discussed the agenda for the upcoming liaison meeting with the County, the council moved into a closed meeting.

Watch the Front Royal Town Council Meeting of April 6, 2026.