October Board highlights

Goochland’s Board of Supervisors began its October 6 meeting by approving a resolution in support of domestic violence awareness month. Ending domestic violence, said the resolution, requires active collaboration among the Goochland Free clinic and Family services; Goochland Social Services; the Goochland Sheriff’s Office; Goochland Victim Witness Assistance Program; the Goochland Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office; the 16 District Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court unit; and other area partners. Sally Graham, Executive Director of GFFS introduced its new domestic violence coordinator. Graham said that the new program expected to serve approximately 38 clients in its first year and had already interacted with 40 people. May domestic violence soon be just a horrible memory.

Sheriff James L. Agnew explained that the hand guns used by county deputies are nearing the end of their useful life. He outlined a plan to replace them with Sig Saur P320 weapons. The Sig Saurs said Agnew, are easier to clean, have grips that can be changed out to accommodate different sized hands, and the ammunition is easier to obtain. The costs for the upgrade is approximately $24,000, which will be paid for by drug asset forfeiture funds at no cost to the taxpayers.

The 2015 Goochland Observer, which is essentially the county’s annual report to its shareholders—citizens--is available on the county website wwww.goochlandva.us. Please take a few minutes to read this.

Fire-Rescue Chief Bill MacKay said that new building codes require smoke alarms inside bedrooms. As many of the materials used to build and furnish homes are now essentially “solidified gasoline” early warning of fires is crucial to survival. MacKay said that most fire fatalities occur between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Marshall Wynn of VDOT said that the River Road bridge over Tuckahoe Creek is expected to reopen around October 23. There may be some periods of single lane access as the finishing work is completed.

A preview of the recently completed Parks and Recreation Master Plan was presented by Derek Stamey, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities Management. The board voted to place it on the agenda for its November 4 meeting.(NOTE, DUE OT ELECTON DAY, THE SUPERVISORS WILL MEET ON A WEDNESDAY IN NOVEMBER) Stamey reported that attendance at programs rose 32 percent in the last year.

Full implementation of the plan, which includes creation of new facilities including dog parks, is estimated to cost $1,790.00 over five years. This total includes $575,000 already funded in the Capital Improvement Plan.

Goochland’s school enrollment grew beyond projections, especially at Randolph Elementary School. The Supervisors approved a request from the School division for 181,600 from accumulated cash proffer funds to cover the cost of acquiring a parcel of land adjacent to RES to accommodate a mobile classroom and additional parking. The mobile classroom is being leased from Louisa County. The expense of two additional teachers was absorbed by the school division through use of additional non-county budget supplements. (See page 94 of board packet for details.)

The Board set public hearings on November 4 for proposed changes to the land use application deadlines, and a leash law for animals on public property other than service dogs and those engaged in hunting and obedience trials under the control of their owners.

A closed session for the purposes of conferring with counsel (Norman Sales, county attorney) about probably litigation regarding zoning enforcement was convened by the supervisors at the end of the afternoon meeting.
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