Wastewater from Highway Could Mean Higher County Taxes
By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
March 7, 2013
Cape Charles wants more sewage for its new treatment plant, and if the Public Service Authority gets its way, County taxpayers will contribute.
PSA Chairman Bob Panek told Northampton County Board of Supervisors January 8 that a 1-cent real estate tax increase could help fund sewer infrastructure for commercial properties on Highway 13.
Panek proposes that the Board approve a sewer line from Highway 13 to the new Cape Charles treatment plant.
Additional funding would come from “private capital contributions from the business owners,” Panek told Cape Charles Town Council February 21.
Panek is also Assistant Town Manger for Cape Charles. Reached at Town Hall by the Wave, he was not willing to discuss non-Town business.
Funding could be arranged through a “moral obligation bond,” Panek told the Board of Supervisors. He said that the PSA could arrange primary funding through government bonds.
But local funding is required for debt service on the bonds. There could be a special tax district, a county-wide property tax increase, or connection and availability fees, or a combination of all three. [Read more…]
ANALYSIS: Judge Dismisses Old School Lawsuits
Early photo of 1912 Cape Charles School at Central Park. Town has paid a developer over $200,000 in cash and incentives to take the building, parking lot, and basketball court. Another $80,000 went for legal fees.
By GEORGE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
March 4, 2013
Circuit Court Judge Revell Lewis has dismissed lawsuits contesting the sale and rezoning of the old Cape Charles school and parkland.
The local civic organization Old School Cape Charles had submitted a litany of reasons to the court why the sale and rezoning were illegal, including improper notice, defective application documents, violation of the Town of Cape Charles Comprehensive Plan, unlawful “contract zoning,” arbitrary and capricious votes by Town Council, and violation of equal protection and due process.
Judge Lewis declined to consider any of the complaints, finding instead that no legal provision exists to contest them.
Lewis found that the Virginia code “contains no provision authorizing an action contesting a decision of a local governing body to sell or dispose of its real estate or an appeal thereof to this Court.”
Lewis also cited a Virginia Supreme Court opinion that severely limits a third-party challenge to a governmental action, and therefore found “no statutory authority” for challenging Town Council’s actions.
The judge’s ruling would appear to give carte blanche to municipalities. While the Town is bound by state law, the judge saw no way for a group of citizens to compel adherence by the Town to any law — at least not in the Circuit Court. [Read more…]
Fishing Pier Reopens Today in Wake of Hurricane Sandy
Town has replaced wood sections twisted by storm. (Wave photo)
CAPE CHARLES WAVE
March 1, 2013
Four months after Hurricane Sandy twisted the Cape Charles fishing pier like a piece of taffy, it’s ready for use again.
Public Works Director Dave Fauber said workers finished repairs Thursday and the pier would reopen as soon as he inspected the work.
The cost for repairs was about $4,500, down from an earlier estimate of $10,000.
The Town had hoped that FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) would bear the cost, and so waited three months before taking up the work.
But FEMA officials finally explained that any repairs in Cape Charles would take a back seat to restoration work in New Jersey, where hurricane damage was far worse.
Fauber said it’s still possible that FEMA will eventually reimburse the Town for the repairs. [Read more…]
THURSDAY: Town Marathon Budget Review Open to Public
February 28, 2013
Cape Charles Town Council will hold a six-hour budget “retreat” in Town Hall today (Thursday) from noon until 6 p.m.
The budget review is open to the public, but no time is provided for public comment.
The meeting begins with a sandwich lunch.
The agenda is below.
Barrier Islands Center Fundraisers Exceed Goal
Historic Almshouse is headquarters for Barrier Islands Center in Machipongo.
February 28, 2013
The Barrier Islands Center in Machipongo has surpassed its fundraising goal of $2.6 million.
Additionally, the annual BIC Oyster Roast held February 23 was a sell-out, and contributed to the general operating fund, educational outreach, and free admission.
The Barrier Islands Center was founded in 1996. Visitors can learn about how people once lived on the Eastern Shore and on the barrier islands that protect it.
The islands’ rich history includes hunting and fishing lodges that attracted presidents, and battles in the Civil War.
The museum preserves century-old photos and artifacts that depict the hard life of islanders and watermen who lived on the Eastern Shore in the 19th century.
The non-profit organization raised $2.9 million in two years, and is the first of 10 organizations to complete a $500,000 challenge grant.
The money will go for the center’s educational programs, community outreach and operating expenses, as well as capital funds for completion of renovations to the historic property. [Read more…]
Old School Contract Amended to Allow Low-Income Housing
By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
February 27, 2013
Cape Charles Town Manager Heather Arcos has amended the contract with the purchasers of the Old School in Central Park to allow the possibility of low-income housing.
The original contract, signed June 28, 2012, by Mayor Dora Sullivan, stated: “To the extent permitted by law, Purchaser shall not operate the Project as a low-income housing facility under any state or federal program.”
The Town sold the Old School and adjoining parkland for $10 on December 20, 2012.
Three weeks ago, on February 7, Arcos signed an amendment to the contract removing the low-income prohibition.
The removal comes after three prominent civic leaders protested to elected state officials over alleged discriminatory housing practices by the Town. [Read more…]
TOWN COUNCIL:
Historic District Board Resigns After Being Overruled
Proposed harbor access road linking Stone Road with Old Cape Charles Road. Click on map to view larger image.
By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
February 26, 2013
Cape Charles Town Council voted 4-0 February 21 to overrule the Town’s Historic District Review Board and approve the balcony design of Hotel Cape Charles.
In so doing, the Town gained a hotel but lost a Review Board. As of yesterday, four of the five persons on the Review Board had either resigned or intended to do so.
The Review Board twice refused to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the hotel, which was needed in order to obtain a permanent Certificate of Occupancy.
With Town Council’s override, Hotel Cape Charles now will be allowed to reopen March 1. [Read more…]
HOTEL CAPE CHARLES DESIGN APPROVED:
Town Council Overturns Historic District Review Board
CAPE CHARLES WAVE
February 21, 2013
Cape Charles Town Council voted 4-0 tonight to approve the design of Hotel Cape Charles. (See earlier story.)
Town Council exercised its authority to overrule the Historic District Review Board, which had twice refused to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness required to obtain a permanent Certificate of Occupancy.
Hotel Cape Charles now will be allowed to reopen March 1.
The Wave will publish a full report of the meeting next week.
