COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 11, 2025 - DRAFT
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 11, 2025
The Edinburg Town Council met for a Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Mayor Harshman called the Public Hearing to order at 7:15 p.m. All Council Members were present, except for Councilman B. Dellinger. Also present were Maud & Alan Watson, Alvin Ritz, Adam Soroka and Trey Rorie from the Northern Virginia Daily.
The purpose of the Public Hearing was to receive comments on a proposed amendment to Chapter 10, Finance, to add § 10-6, Convenience fee for the acceptance of credit and debit cards, and a proposed amendment to Chapter 160, Vehicles and Traffic, Article III, to add the annual Town Vehicle License fee to the Personal Property Tax bills starting in 2026.
Only one town resident had some comments and questions. The mayor reported that he had heard from a number of residents in support of both changes.
With no further comments or questions, a motion was made by Councilwoman Wymer-Hollar and seconded by Councilwoman Strong to adjourn the Public Hearing at 7:19 p.m. Motion carried.
The Edinburg Town Council met in a regular session on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Mayor Harshman called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. All the Councilmembers were present except Councilman B. Dellinger. Also present were Maud & Alan Watson, Alvin Ritz, Adam Soroka and Trey Rorie from the Northern Virginia Daily.
Mayor Harshman welcomed the guests and asked if anyone had anything that was not on the agenda.
Alan Watson, a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), stated that he thought there was going to be an organizational meeting a while ago for the members of the BZA and he asked if this was ever going to happen. Mayor Harshman stated that he will talk to the Town Attorney about it.
A motion was made by Councilman Wood and seconded by Councilman Crisman to approve the minutes of the February 18, 2025 regular meeting. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Councilman Wood and seconded by Councilwoman Strong to approve the Treasurer’s report and to pay all the bills as presented. Motion carried.
Mayor Harshman called attention to Inboden’s report for February.
Mayor Harshman reported that the backup compressor is still down at the Water Treatment Plant (WTP). He also reported that a tech has cleaned and serviced the unit and is waiting on the part that is supposed to correct the issue.
Mayor Harshman asked if anyone had any comments on the new water bills. There were none.
Mayor Harshman reported that the Town is still waiting on the parts to repair the micro bar screen equipment at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). He also reported that the unit is still running with the one remaining rake in place until the parts come in.
Mayor Harshman reported that as the weather improves, the Town will be contacting the paving company about finishing the tar and chip work on Wiers Lane.
Mayor Harshman reported that the concrete block work at the second storage building at the WWTP has been completed.
The Street Committee had no report. Mayor Harshman reported that Ron Ross is checking with VDOT about getting some curb and gutter work done along Main Street and the Town is also planning on doing about $20,000 of sidewalk repairs in the coming months, which is in this year’s budget. Councilman Wood commended the Maintenance Crew for cleaning up the gravel after the winter weather.
The Ordinance Committee had no report
The Personnel Committee had no report. Mayor Harshman stated that he provided copies of the revised Personnel Policies to the Council members.
The Finance Committee had no report. Mayor Harshman reported that the Town is still waiting on Robinson, Farmer & Cox to complete the 2023-2024 audit. The mayor reported that he has been working on getting numbers together for 2024-2025 to see how the year will end up and what amendments might be required and he stated that paying cash for the new truck and the extra costs for Cave Spring are going to require amending the current budget. The mayor reported that the Town Treasurer has been working to get all the categories in line with the actual expenses so that the Town’s use of surplus funds does not hit the balance sheet twice but shows up correctly on the Profit and Loss budget comparison. He also reported that he and the Town Treasurer will be meeting with Amanda Kerns about the yearly report on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The mayor hopes to send out a draft of the 2025-2026 proposed budget by the end of the month.
The Property Committee had no report. Mayor Harshman stated that the new dump truck was parked outside and that it is a really nice truck that should serve the Town for many years. The mayor reported that the plan was to sell the old truck to help pay for the extra costs of outfitting the new truck; USDA paid for the new stainless-steel bed, but there was still around $18,000 in expenses for other items that were required. The mayor’s thought is to advertise the old truck as the best offer above a set price and take sealed bids. The mayor stated that the Town sold the last truck at auction and had to pay the auction premium.
Mayor Harshman reported that the insurance is going to pay for the roof on Well #2’s pump house on what the appraiser calculated as actual cash value, which was $9,184.45 less the $2,500 deductible. The plan is to wait until it will not freeze anymore to remove the old roof ourselves and then create some temporary protection for the electric equipment in the structure for the time it will take to have the old green sand filters lifted out of the building. The mayor reported that removing the filters will require that the roof be completely removed and this will add some cost to the project, but having the old filters in the building will eventually cause some problems as the metal corrodes away. This will probably be the only time there won’t be a roof on the building. The mayor stated that the green sand filters are still usable and may be able to be sold. The mayor also reported that when the Town gets around to putting on the new roof, he thinks a pitched truss roof with metal roofing should be looked at rather than another flat roof.
Mayor Harshman reported that he hasn’t heard back from Billy Lonas about the potential problem with the large tree in front of the Mill.
The Cemetery Committee had no report.
The Park Committee had no report. Mayor Harshman reported that he dropped the ball on getting back with the resident that was assisting with the signage for the Disc Golf Course. The mayor needs to see if he can locate one of the Tees that this resident could not find and get back in touch with him. The mayor also reported that he located another company that does tennis courts, and he will be contacting them.
The Insurance Committee had no report
The Health and Safety Committee had no report. Councilman Wood called attention to the Sheriff Department’s schedule for March and the Calls for Service report. Councilwoman Strong stated that she attended the last Neighborhood Watch meeting and said that it was a great meeting with Capt. Whitney Mauck. She also stated that not enough people attend these meetings.
Mayor Harshman stated that he provided the Council with the minutes from the last Rails to Trails meeting that was held on February 25, 2025. The mayor reported that he will be attending a Zoom meeting on March 13th at noon about VDOT’s Phase 1 report on the concept of Rails with Trails.
Mayor Harshman reported that he still hasn’t heard anything from David Madison.
Mayor Harshman reported that he attended the last Tourism Council meeting on February 18, 2025 and everyone reported that things were slow in January and February. The mayor reported that there were 258 visitors at the Mill in February. He also reported that the Edinburg Heritage Foundation signed a 6-month contract with Katherine Manley from Black Valley Creative for social media promotion.
Mayor Harshman reported that a number of the Mill employees are attending the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s annual seminar for Certified Visitor Center Staff in Harrisonburg.
Mayor Harshman reported that the annual inspection of the fire sprinkler system at the Mill has been completed, and they replaced a sprinkler head in one of the restrooms. He also reported that the system had one deficiency for not having a system information sign. The mayor checked back with the sprinkler company and found out this was a new requirement; they aren’t even sure what is required, but they will be sending a quote to correct the deficiency once they know what is needed. The Edinburg Heritage Foundation paid the $975 again for this inspection.
Mayor Harshman reported that the next Town & County Dinner will be in Toms Brook on Wednesday, April 16th at the Toms Brook Volunteer Fire Department. The guest speaker will be Tom Stevens, who is the Park Manager at Seven Bends State Park. The mayor asked the Council to let the Town Clerk or the Town Treasurer know if they are planning on attending the Dinner before March 18th. As always, the Town will pay the $18 fee for each council member and the council members will be responsible for the fee if they bring a guest.
The Architectural Review Board did not meet.
The Planning Commission did not meet.
There was one Zoning Permit issued:
1. Matt Burgwald
213 S. Main St.
Garage
There was no report from the Town Attorney.
Mayor Harshman asked for a motion to only read the Title of the second reading of an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 10, Finance, to add § 10-6, Convenience fee for the acceptance of credit and debit cards. A motion was made by Councilman Wood and seconded by Councilman Crisman to allow the mayor to read only the Title of the proposed Amendment. The mayor read the Title of an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 10, Finance, to add § 10-6, Convenience fee for the acceptance of credit and debit cards. A motion was made by Councilman Crisman and seconded by Councilman Wood to adopt the Ordinance to Amend Chapter 10, Finance, to add § 10-6, Convenience fee for the acceptance of credit and debit cards. Motion carried. Recorded vote as follows: Wymer-Hollar – aye, B. Dellinger – absent, Strong – aye, Crisman – aye, T. Dellinger – aye, Wood – aye, Harshman – aye. This amendment will take effect in 30 days.
Mayor Harshman asked for a motion to only read the Title of the second reading of an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 160, Vehicles and Traffic. Article III Town Licenses. A motion was made by Councilman Wood and seconded by Councilman Crisman to allow the mayor to read only the Title of the proposed Amendment. The mayor read the Title of an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 160, Vehicles and Traffic. Article III Town Licenses. A motion was made by Councilwoman Strong and seconded by Councilman Wood to adopt the Ordinance to Amend Chapter 160, Vehicles and Traffic. Article III Town Licenses. Motion carried. Recorded vote as follows: Wymer-Hollar – aye, B. Dellinger – absent, Strong – aye, Crisman – aye, T. Dellinger – aye, Wood – aye, Harshman – aye.
Mayor Harshman asked the Council to consider appointing Carol Getz to the Architectural Review Board to replace Barbara Strong whose term expires 2/29/28. A motion was made by Councilwoman Strong and seconded by Councilwoman Wymer-Hollar to appoint Carol Getz to the Architectural Review Board, if she accepts, to replace Barbara Strong whose term expires 2/29/28. Motion carried.
Councilman Wood recognized the President of Boy Scout Pack 76 and thanked him for coming to the meeting.
With no further business, a motion was made by Councilwoman Wymer-Hollar and seconded by Councilman Crisman to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
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