Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 9, 1994 TAG: 9406170002
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
FEMA has agreed to help fund the removal of debris from the road, which has been closed between the town's sewer pump station and Virginia 99 since the Feb. 13 ice storm.
Town officials had appealed to Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, to see if additional FEMA funding could be obtained to reroute Dora Highway through that area. Removal of road debris will still not allow travel on the section, because the storm loosened rock and trees on a cliff face above it.
Town Manager Tom Combiths reported to Town Council on Tuesday that representatives in Boucher's office had told him earlier that day that there seemed no way to get the additional help from FEMA to reroute the road or stabilize the cliff face. The office will try to get help from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or other sources.
In other business Tuesday, council approved an increase in sewer rates which will add about $2 a month to the average bill. The rates are doubled for those hooked onto the system and living outside the town.
Carl Anderson and Elmer Robinson, both county residents who live outside town limits, were the only speakers at the hearing. They said the increase was too costly, and that they would prefer giving up the town sewer service they've had for 25 years and going back to septic tanks. Town Attorney Frank Terwilliger was not sure Health Department regulations would allow it, and said he would research whatever agreements were made by the out-of-town residents when they accepted the service.
``If I can go back on my septic tank, that's what I want to do,'' Robinson said.
Don Crispin and Nick Glenn voted against the rate increase, which passed 5-2 (Councilman Roy D'Ardenne arrived after the vote was taken). Glenn argued that hook-on fees should not be so much higher just outside town, because that is where development is most likely to take place.
Alma Holston reported that council's Public Operations Committee recommended sending letters to businesses along Virginia 99 to see if they would pay part of the cost of removing a median strip in their area.
The committee was studying a request from Pizza Hut to remove the median in front of that business, allowing access from both lanes of traffic. Some sections of the median along Virginia 99 already had been removed, and the committee wants to consider removing it all if some financial help could be obtained from the businesses affected.
Council voted unanimously to honor Pulaski County High School honor roll students through a resolution at its June 21 meeting. Crispin had been pushing for such recognition for much of his four years on council. It will occur during his last month on the governing body.
by CNB