Town Meeting Question: Who Will Pay for Spending?

Northampton District 1 Supervisor Granville Hogg conducts Town Meeting January 8 at Kiptopeke School. (Photo: Donna Bozza)

Northampton District 1 Supervisor Granville Hogg conducts Town Meeting January 8 at Kiptopeke School. (Photo: Donna Bozza)

By WAYNE CREED
Cape Charles Wave

January 12, 2015

A crowd of close to 60 people braved the frigid cold January 8 to attend District 1 Supervisor Granville Hogg’s Town Hall Meeting, held at Kiptopeke Elementary. Following the last few months of intense opposition to the proposed zoning ordinance changes, those in attendance were anxious for any further information regarding this as well as other items being undertaken by the Board of Supervisors.

The first item on Mr. Hogg’s agenda was the Public Service Authority Southern Node Project. Hogg reiterated many concerns that have been voiced after the Northern Node part of the project was rejected and focus was turned on the Southern Node: Is there a legitimate need for it, and is there a decent business plan in place that will justify it? And — just who will pay for it?

Martina Coker questioned whether the project is really going to create commercial growth, or will have the opposite effect. An example she used was the new Veterinary Clinic in the Food Lion Shopping Center, which had already been executed based on an established cost estimation and business plan, and whether it would be fair now to burden them, and future businesses, with an excessive new cost.

Along these lines, Roberta Kellam argued that since wastewater has already been approved in these areas, and existing septic systems are working, there is no indication that this project will create new jobs.

Former Supervisor Spencer Murray noted, ‘This is basically a build it and they will come scenario. Sensitive growth is good — the question is how you get it.”

The next topic addressed by Mr. Hogg was the proposed construction of a new Emergency Medical Services facility. The Board of Supervisors is looking three options:

· Fully restore the Machipango Middle School facility, with an estimated price tag of $3.8 to $5.5 million;

· Or, acquire the existing EMS property now being leased, and build onto that. Estimated cost, depending on the size of the new garage, would be $500,000 to $600,000.

· Or, construct the new EMS facility at the existing school bus garage in Eastville. Again, cost estimates are closer to the $600,000 figure.

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At stake is the $1.2 million the County owes the USDA for the failed Sustainable Technology and Industrial Park in Cape Charles. If the County is unable to include the $600,000 debt forgiveness in a USDA-qualified project, it will be forced to reimburse the USDA for this amount.

Mr. Hogg said he found several benefits in building the new EMS facility at the Eastville location: It would eliminate the USDA debt obligation, it would provide our EMS with a much-needed upgrade to its facilities, and it would eliminate some blighted, derelict buildings which are in plain view as travelers drive on Route 13.

The structural status of Northampton High School was also mentioned. According to Hogg’s onsite inspections, the school is basically in a state of “patching existing patches.” The County is awaiting the latest engineer’s report, yet according to Hogg, even as we expect safe schools, due to the financial climate, the structures need to be able to “hang on at least another seven years.”

Hogg also discussed the need for disposing of vacant County-owned property, including structures such as the old Middle School, which costs taxpayers $110,000 annually to heat and cool. He noted that at a County level there needs to be a space/needs assessment completed as a means to locate, retrofit, and reuse existing structures.

The most boisterous moments of the evening came when discussion turned to public participation in the Comprehensive Plan. Hogg reiterated that at the most fundamental level, the community must be given the opportunity to participate in creating things such as the Comp Plan. He urged his constituents to actively read the documents when they become public, and to “review and revise what you do not like, and then bring it to me. I’m a technocrat, so bring me the technical data so I can review and make the best decisions based on the data.” Former Supervisor Murray urged Hogg to be sure the Board of Supervisors was aware of the need to advertise any changes to documents and to “push them to do it.”

Donna Boza added, “Who will use the technical data even if we bring it? Isn’t the Comprehensive Plan supposed to be based on data?”

Peg Volk of Machipongo admonished Hogg, “Please make a motion (regarding removal of zoning changes). Go on the record that you made a motion to withdraw the zoning” — whether anyone seconds it or not.

Mr. Hogg also noted that during his meeting in Chincoteague with Delegate Lynwood Lewis, he brought up a concern that he and members of the aquaculture industry have been hoping Federal and State officials would address: the deterioration of the barrier island system, and the threat it poses not to just aquaculture on the Eastern Shore but also to mainland agriculture operations. Both Hogg and Mike Steelman are in the process of gathering more data regarding the deteriorating condition of the islands.

The Town Hall concluded with constituents thanking Mr. Hogg for his openness, willingness to listen, and operating these meetings as more of a conversation than a speech. Hogg responded that “I can’t do it all by myself. I need your help.”

Mr. Hogg also reminded constituents that the next Board of Supervisors meeting is Tuesday, January 13.

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One Response to “Town Meeting Question: Who Will Pay for Spending?”

  1. Ken Dufty on January 11th, 2015 10:45 pm

    Many thanks to Granville for always providing that open door and cupped ear — most appreciative and refreshing. And in relation to wasteful expenditures by our county government that are mostly orchestrated by our County Administrator, interesting to see that Supervisor Trala was apparently able to read Katie’s handwriting and move to give the Administrator a 1.5% bonus (of course seconded by Bennett). Kinda like patting your dog on the head after he rips up your new leather recliner. Also interesting to see that the county, on this coming Tuesday night, will pass a new rule that will not allow any citizen to defer their 3 minutes of speaking time to another citizen. Not that it matters too much in this county, as the sitting Board (except Mr. Hogg) very rarely even blinks an eye at what you have to say anyway — that is, unless you are one of the chosen few who are allowed freedom at will to come and go through the “curtain.” Citizens of Northampton County should take a lesson from the citizens of Ashburnham, Massachusetts, when they reportedly lodged a “vote of no confidence” against Nunez, perhaps contributing to her resignation. We need to dust off the broom and do some housecleaning before the mismanagement of this county costs us a hefty tax increase, which appears to be just around the legislative corner. Thanks to Granville again for standing tall — and stoic! Godspeed, Granville.