Upcoming Town Council Work Session Sheds Light on Infrastructure and Municipal Updates

Power Supply, Public Power Week, and Infrastructure Upgrades Top the List

On Monday, September 11, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., the Front Royal Town Council is set to convene for an essential work session at the Town Hall Conference Room. For those unable to be present in person, the meeting will be broadcast live online, ensuring the community stays abreast of vital municipal decisions and updates.

One of the key discussions will be led by Carey Saffelle, the Director of Energy Services, and Mike Migliore, the Vice President of Power Supply Planning at American Municipal Power. They’ll provide an overview of Front Royal’s wholesale power purchasing portfolio and delve into the budgetary aspects of the Power Supply. With blocks of purchased power set to end by FY24/25, they will address a resolution for a fixed volume energy supply schedule from 2025-2028, not exceeding $59.00 per MWh.

The council will also be asked to acknowledge Public Power Week. Every year, during the first week of October, towns and cities nationwide celebrate Public Power Week. This event helps the public understand the workings of their community-owned utility. The council aims to recognize October 1-7, 2023, as Public Power Week in Front Royal.

Infrastructure upgrades also made the agenda with Michelle Campbell, the Manager of Purchasing, putting forward a contract for influent pump installations at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. These pumps, critical to the WWTP’s operation, were installed in the 1970s and are now hard to maintain due to scarce replacement parts. The contract, which amounts to $959,401.00, is proposed to be awarded to Johnston Construction Company.

Laura McIntosh, Human Resources Director, is seeking approval to award a contract to Pierce Group Benefits for the town’s Benefits Consulting Services. This comes after a rigorous evaluation of six proposals, with the final contract amount being $10,000 per year.

BJ Wilson, Director of Finance, will be proposing a calendar for the 2024-2025 fiscal year budget. This will involve an overview of significant budgetary items and plans for a series of work sessions.

In an effort to bolster public safety, Police Chief Kahle Magalis seeks approval for DMV matching grants. These funds will help enforce speed and impaired driving regulations in the community.

Concluding the meeting’s agenda is a request by Aaron Hike to vacate a portion of North Royal Ave. This move has implications for public works and energy services, as certain utilities and infrastructures reside on these lands.

The Town Council’s upcoming session promises to be an eventful one, touching on multiple areas of the town’s operation. As Front Royal continues to evolve and adapt to the needs of its residents, these sessions serve as an integral part of ensuring that growth is both sustainable and beneficial to the community.