Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 7, 1990                   TAG: 9006080678
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

BUILDING OFFER ISN'T ENOUGH

After a series of three executive sessions that followed a regular meeting of Town Council Tuesday, Town Manager George Nester announced that the company, which he declined to identify, will not be moving to lot 6 of the Vinton Industrial Park.

"We're very disappointed," Nester said. The town was involved in lengthy negotiations with the company concerning the lot, and already had allocated funds from next year's budget to construct a shell building to meet the company's needs. If the business had relocated, it would have created 50 additional jobs.

In other action:

Council approved a resolution to request a change in the Department of Solid Waste Management's regulations regarding the disposal of brush, grass clippings, wood construction materials, and other organic solid waste.

Currently, Nester said, the board does not allow local governments to compost such waste, since a mismanaged compost heap can be a hazard in itself.

The town and other local governments would like to be allowed to compost this material, as it would result in a 20 percent reduction in the solid-waste stream, said Town Attorney Frank Selbe. Council unanimously agreed to the resolution.

Council also agreed to a recommendation from the board of viewers that an undeveloped portion of Poplar Street from Jefferson Avenue to Crestview Avenue be sold to the adjoining property owners, Gary Carrell and W.E. Cundiff, after they arrange and pay for a survey and a deed of transfer.

Council agreed to a $785 grant for the Virginia Municipal League to help in negotiations with Appalachian Power Co. for a lower utility rate for town facilities. This year, Nester said, the power company is offering a 2 percent reduction from last year's rate, but the league feels it can secure an even greater reduction.

In addition to the industrial park matter, council members discussed issues relating to the proposed consolidation of Roanoke and Roanoke County and a personnel matter in executive session.

Nester could not discuss the consolidation issue, he said.

Nester did say that the town council has decided to award 6 percent pay raises to the town's treasurer and police chief for the next fiscal year.

The treasurer, Sylvia Faw, currently earns $14,449. Her new salary will $15,315. Compensation for Police Chief Rick Foutz will go from $28,960 to $30,697.