Council OKs Buying Bank Building for New Library
Friends of Cape Charles Memorial Library turned out in force to support Town Council’s decision to buy former bank building.
By GEORGE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
July 20, 2012
In the Council chamber filled with members of Friends of the Library, Town Council yesterday authorized Mayor Dora Sullivan to sign a purchase contract for the former Bank of America building.
The building would be used for several purposes, including storing Town records in the bank vault, but the main use would be for a new library on the ground floor. The 3,000 square feet available would be about double what the library has now.
Although no public comments were permitted, Friends of the Library had already given their informal approval to Town Council, and members showed up to support the decision.
After Bank of America vacated the building in March, it was put up for bid. Town Council was told that the highest of four bids received was $200,000, and the bank offered the Town a chance to match that bid.
There is no money in the budget to buy the building, so the Town plans to take money allocated in a 2010 bond issue to connect two new wells to the Town waterworks.
Assistant Town Manager Bob Panek suggested that the money needed for the wells could be recovered from hookup fees charged to new water customers. He cited two possible sources — fees from Echelon Resources, who plan to build 17 apartment units in the Town’s old school building, and fees from the envisioned Southport Yacht Center.
Councilman Frank Wendell observed that the Town had already voted to reduce hookup fees for Echelon Resources by 75 percent.
There was confusion among council members over just what a “yes” vote meant. Joan Natali thought the vote was only preliminary, and that Council would have another opportunity to make a final decision. But Panek explained that Council was actually voting to authorize the Mayor to sign the contract. There would be no further vote, although the Town would have a 30-day period to inspect the building.
There will also be no public hearing.
When Mayor Sullivan signs the contract, the Town must make a non-refundable payment of $20,000 earnest money.
Councilman Wendell was the only member who voted no. He said although he supported a larger space for the library, Town Council should inspect the building before — not after — signing a contract.
Woman Pleads Guilty to Falsely Claiming Beach Rape
State Police prepared this composite drawing based on the alleged victim’s description. She later admitted that she made it up.
By GEORGE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
July 19, 2012
A 20-year-old Exmore woman who told Cape Charles police March 23 that she had been raped on the Town beach was sentenced today to one year in jail for filing a false police report. However, 11 months of the sentence were suspended, so she is only required to serve 30 days.
Suzanna Bowen pled guilty today in Northampton General District Court to a misdemeanor charge of filing a false police report. She is also required to perform 200 hours community service and provide restitution for the expenses of the police investigation.
Cape Charles Police Chief Charles “Sambo” Brown told the Wave that Town police spent at least 100 man-hours investigating the false charge. The Northampton Sheriff’s Office also investigated, as did State Police, who prepared a composite drawing of the alleged assailant.
Bowen had claimed that she was raped by a stranger during daylight hours — about 6:30 p.m. March 23 — on the north end of the Cape Charles beach.
Former Cape Charles police officer Charles Graham testified for the Town at the hearing today.
Chief Brown told the Wave that Cape Charles police interviewed Bowen for nearly three months. “The last interview was more of an interrogation,” he said.
By late May, police had determined that the rape allegation was a hoax. Bowen was arrested June 11.
UPDATE: Council to Vote on Buying Bank for $200,000
By GEORGE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
July 19, 2012
Cape Charles Town Council will meet in open session Thursday at 5 p.m. to vote on buying the Bank of America building on Mason Avenue for approximately $200,000.
According to a Town staff recommendation prepared by Assistant Town Manager Bob Panek, the Town needs the bank property for five reasons:
1. Expansion of the Cape Charles Memorial Library;
2. Relocation of the broadband computer lab to a more publicly accessible space;
3. Indoor cultural and educational programs for children and adults;
4. Relocation of records storage from leased space;
5. Public parking for the business district.
Panek said the Town could use funds obtained from a 2010 bond issuance that were intended to finance two new wells, which are still being engineered. This would allow the Town to spend the money without increasing the budget. “This would temporarily displace the project to connect the two new wells,” Panek said.
If Town Council approves the purchase tomorrow (as it is expected to do), a contract could be signed by the mayor without any public input.
The Town would be required to pay a non-refundable $20,000 deposit within 48 hours of signing the contract.
The agenda for Thursday’s special meeting does not provide for remarks from the public.
