Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 19, 1990 TAG: 9004200660
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Revenues are the same for the 1990-91 budget as for the previous year, Nester said. The general fund will total $4,668,239 and the utility fund $1,516,964. A good portion of the budget, Nester said, will go toward "significant capital improvements," such as curb, gutter, sewage, and street repairs, as well as for repairs to town facilities such as the War Memorial.
Major projects for the year include the completion of the Gladetown community improvement project; the purchase of lot 6 of the Vinton Industrial Park; the construction of a new 12,000 square-foot shell building at the industrial park, intended to attract a new tenant; and further consideration of the construction of a building on the site of the Vinton Farmer's Market, as well as additional parking at the market.
This year, the town also will replace a fire truck, a crash truck, and a compartmentalized vehicle for the recycling program.
Another major project will be the interconnection of the Vinton water system to the private system in the Falling Creek subdivision, as well as the upgrading of the Hardy Road sewer pump station, which has been in operation since 1965.
Council eliminated several items from the budget, including $2,000 allotted for a free-standing canvas cover for the farmer's market stage area. This year's budget already contains $500 for a canopy, which hasn't been purchased yet.
"Let's wait for more explanation," said Mayor Charles Hill. "I don't know if we need it."
Council also voted against buying uniforms for waitresses at the War Memorial, unless the waitresses themselves wanted them. Most of the council members agreed that they probably would not. They also voted not to purchase new tables and chairs for the dining room of the War Memorial, an expense that would have cost the town $10,000.
They also denied the building and grounds department $2,100 for two air cleaners for the elimination of cigarette smoke. One would have gone to the engineering office, and the other to the town manager's office area.
Two requests, one for $40,000 for the purchase of a new traffic light system, and the other, for $65,000 for the proposed farmer's market building, were put on hold until they can be reviewed in more detail.
In other action:
Council heard a report about Clean Valley Day, which will take place Saturday. The town is offering prizes of $150, $100, and $50, to the three clubs or civic organizations that bring in the most trash. So far, Nester said, only four groups have signed up to participate. Last year, the first in which prizes were awarded, six groups showed up.
Council was notified about Vinton's annual Cleanup Week, which runs from Saturday to April 28. During this time, Nester said, the town will pick up and dispose of large items such as appliances and beds, free of charge.
Student Government Day was scheduled for May 1. Students from William Byrd High School will attend that night's council meeting, and then spend the next day working with the council members and the mayor.
Council agreed to place a quarter-page advertisement for the town in the Virginia Municipal League's annual conference issue of its "Virginia Town & City" magazine, at a cost of $180.
Following the work session, council held a closed meeting to discuss personnel and legal matters. After council went back into regular session, Hill announced that council had decided to award merit raises at an average of 6 percent to town employees.
They discussed raises for the town's four appointed employees - Nester, Town Attorney Frank Selbe, Treasurer Sylvia Faw, and Police Chief Rick Foutz.
The raises awarded to Faw and Foutz were not announced, as they were not present at the meeting. Nester and Selbe each got the 6-percent raise.
Nester, who currently draws $49,434, will make $52,400 next year. Selbe currently earns $21,540 for his services as town attorney and prosecuting attorney. Next year his salary will be $22,832.
by CNB