May in the board room

 

Members of Goochland Economic Authority, Chance Robinson, Economic Development Coordinator (holding proclamation) and Board Chair Tom Winfree, (right) celebrate business appreciation month (Goochland County image)

The Goochland Board of Supervisors had a short agenda at its May 6 monthly meeting. As there were no public hearings, the board entered closed session about 90 minutes after the opening prayer to continue deliberations about selection of a new county administrator. Whoever fills this vacancy faces the daunting task of restoring public trust that was badly eroded by the dreadful mishandling of the Centerville Small area plan and other local government missteps over the past few years. The legal incantation to justify a closed session also included the intent to discuss acquisition of real property for a public purpose and unannounced prospective businesses. We eagerly await an announcement of new investment in the county to bolster our tax base.

Board Chair Tom Winfree, District 3, spoke about the Goochland Leadership Enterprise program, which began in 1996, and is now accepting enrollment for its next session. Go to https://goochland.ext.vt.edu/programs.html for details. It would have been interesting had Winfree asked GLE graduates in the room to stand. These include County Attorney Tara McGee, Deputy County Administrator Josh Gillespie, Chair of the Goochland EDA Ben Slone, Pamunkey Regional Library Trustee Barbara Slone, Director of Community Development Jamie Sherry, and others.

Interim County Administrator, The Hon. Manuel Alvarez, Jr., spoke of local events.

“Night at Tucker” takes place on the last Friday of the month at Tucker Park on Maidens Road just south of Rt. 6. Last week the event featured the Slate River Band and drew a good crowd. The next is on May 30 with music provided by Exit 38. Food trucks and fun for the whole family are included. Check the Parks and Rec website https://www.goochlandva.us/236/Parks-Recreation for details.

The first day of the Goochland Farmers Market 2026 season was in full swing after the end of the board meeting. The market is held on Tuesday afternoons from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Sandy Hook Road in Courthouse Village roughly opposite the administration building.

The Sheriff’s Special Olympics Torch Run will take place on Friday, May 9 beginning at 10 a.m. from the Courthouse to Goochland High School.

Alvarez reported that the Easter egg hunt, which did not include real eggs, was well attended and a big success.

Goochland Evening and Day will be held on May 16 and 17 in Courthouse Village. See https://sites.google.com/goochlandday.org/gdf/home for details. Be sure to notice the banners on the Courthouse Village streetlights.

County offices will be closed on Monday, May 26 to observe Memorial Day.

Fourth of July fireworks will take place on Thursday July 3 to avoid interfering with the three-day weekend.

The supervisors will meet on Friday, May 23 at 9 a.m. for a capital improvement plan workshop. The meeting is open to the public.

Resolutions recognizing May as older Americans month, and business appreciation month were adopted. Following distribution of “goodie bags” to county employees, the supervisors adopted a proclamation declaring the week of May 4-10 for recognition of those who work in public service.

Marshall Winn Administrator for the VDOT Ashland Residency, who attends every board meeting to report on his agency’s work in the county and listen to supervisor concerns about local roads, announced that he plans to retire at the end of June after 48 years of service. May his next chapter be filled with goodness and joy.

Winn is the face of the fine folks of VDOT who cut grass, plow snow, fix potholes, clear trees and remove dead animals from our roadways. Winn reported that during the past month, his agency received 153 work orders and completed 198. There were eight after hour call outs. Activities this month included ditch and shoulder repair, pothole patching, pipe clean out and repair, tree removal and clean up.

Neil Spoonhower, District 2, thanked Winn for being responsive to road issues in a way that shows he cares for the area he serves.

Jonathan Lyle, District 5, thanked Winn for helping with studies to mitigate issues at troublesome intersections on Rt. 6 at both River and Hockett Roads.

The consent agenda—items that require a board vote but little discussion—included a request to set a public hearing for June 3 to request the Virginia Transportation Board to restrict through truck traffic on roads in Parkside Village near the intersection of Pouncy Tract and Ashland Roads in the northeastern corner of the county. This should have been done years ago, but entreaties to address the issue were ignored. Hopefully, this will be granted to increase safety and peace of mind in that residential enclave.

An authorization for the Board Chair to execute a regional library agreement with Hanover County was also part of the consent agenda. After the departure of King and Queen County from the Pamunkey Regional Library System effective June 30, 2025, only Hanover and Goochland remain. The new agreement (see the May 6 board packet for the full document) modifies the composition of the Board of Trustees, with two from Goochland and seven from Hanover.

The VDOT secondary six-year road priorities for years 2026-2031 were also approved in the consent agenda.

Monthly reports on broadband expansion and agriculture are in the board packet.