Discussions on curbside recycling were plentiful at the Town of Christiansburg council meeting, eliciting comments from citizens and elected officials.
Sharon Hewitt spoke passionately about her strong support of recycling, urging council to carefully examine costs and options and noted the town’s three drop off locations requires storage, time and gasoline for households to access. She stated environmental preservation as a town priority was far behind other localities. Three other speakers supported recycling, whether mandatory or voluntary noting that some costs were to be expected regardless of how such a program is implemented.
Council picked up this discussion again later in the meeting, reviewing information compiled and provided by Councilman Henry Showalter. This material included a comparison of solid waste collection and recycling from Christiansburg and other areas, noting that Blacksburg’s contracted service indicated twice the amount of recycling was occurring there even during summer months when Virginia Tech students were absent, as compared to Christiansburg’s efforts.
Showalter and Mike Barber shared some information from discussions with counterparts from Verona during the recent Virginia Municipal League conference, and it was noted the town manager also serves on the regional solid waste authority. Showalter asked that administrators be directed to examine recycling options and costs and pressed for a specific time this information would be provided. The matter is expected to come back before town council by March 2009.
Mayor Ballengee reminded council of a visit by Christiansburg Elementary School fifth graders last year, who asked council to support recycling and green initiatives. The Mayor encouraged other council members to also respond to a recent letter received, stating he had replied to these students, agreeing recycling is something “we (the town) needs to do.”
During the Citizens Hearings, Lisa Lucas Gardner again asked council to review the town’s policy on take-home vehicles. She had researched this further and stated town records showed 29 vehicles were assigned to police department personnel for take home use, and another 20 vehicles were provided to other town employees, chiefly in the public works department. “We’re officially in a recession now,” she stated. “It’s time to buckle up and cut back and look at what these vehicles cost taxpayers, including insurance, maintenance, tires and gas – not to mention the risk to the town if these vehicles or employees are involved in an accident.”
Carol Lindstrom, owner of the Toy Station in Cambria, noted the old buildings across from her business had been demolished last week in preparation for construction of rental units in this historic district, as approved by town council at a March 2008 meeting. She asked that council assure itself, and citizens, that demolition permits included requirements for remediation of asbestos or other hazardous materials, stating there were reports indicating this had not occurred.
Council tabled adoption of an amendment to Chapter 30 – Zoning of the Christiansburg Town Code as regards roof and marquee signage until the next meeting. The delay will provide the town’s attorney time to review whether another Public Hearing would be required if adding conditions limiting digital signs were included in these amendments. Councilwoman Ann Carter stated her concern was approving roof and marquee changes would delay addressing digital signs for several more months, allowing requested permits for those types of signs to be approved before conditions could be required. “There are digital signs out there now that can blind a person during the day time. We need to control these now” she stated.
Councilman Barber presented suggested regulations for moped vehicles operated within town limits. These regulations are aligned both with Virginia State Code and policies applicable in Blacksburg, affecting vehicles that are 50cc or less, and will be effective January 1, 2009. A 60-day implementation window will be applied, providing the town time to conduct an education and awareness campaign before tickets are issued for violations.
Three Public Hearings were scheduled for January 6, 2009, to obtain citizen comments on recycling, adoption of zoning ordinances as regards downtown parking structures, and the county’s desire to consolidate maintenance garage operations on property located behind the County Government Center. This property is adjacent to the Kiwanis Park and a floodplain. While zoned industrial, the property is now surrounded by established residential neighborhoods.
Town council’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 pm in the Town Hall.