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Welcome to the official Town of Cape Charles Newsletter. This publication is available by submitting your email address to gazette@capecharles.org or by contacting the Town Office at 757-331-3259 x10.

The purpose of this electronic newsletter is to pass factual, informative and timely information to the citizens of Cape Charles and to any other individuals who have a business, property, travel or historical interest in our Town.

The information contained in this newsletter is considered to be the "official word" on the Town’s activities as noted by our Town Manager. The Cape Charles Gazette is a news source which reports upon weekly events, upcoming Town activities, articles of interest to our citizens, Town projects, safety & security issues, and emergency announcements.

We hope that you will enjoy receiving the Cape Charles Gazette.

For additional information please visit the Town’s website at http://www.capecharles.org/or contact us at gazette@capecharles.org.

References to external websites are for information purposes only. The Town makes no representation as to the accuracy of information on such sites, and reference to such sites is not intended as an endorsement by the Town of any materials or opinions expressed on such sites.

CODE ENFORCEMENT

Jeb Brady, Assistant Code Enforcement Officer, reported that he met with the Town Attorney, Paul Watson, to pursue some ongoing cases where the owner of a building in the Town has failed to comply with past Notice of Violations. We ask the public to meet with Town Code Officials prior to legal actions if they are having problems with understanding what is required of them regarding buildings & structures.

Jeb also noted that Friday, January 23, 2009 was Code Officer Doug Smith’s last day as a Town employee. Jeb wished Doug well and stated that all business regarding Code Enforcement should NOW be directed to Jeb at 757-331-3259 x22 or e-mail at inspector2@capecharles.org.

HARBOR - Virginia Clean Marina 2008

Smitty Dize, Harbor Master, reported that the Harbor Crew continues their work on repairing the floors in their office & restrooms at the Harbor office. The Harbor Crew also found & repaired a water leak under their office that was discovered last week.

Smitty noted that the first organizational meeting for the 2nd Annual Blessing of the Fleet was held this past Friday, January 23, 2009 & it was well attended and a number of ideas were discussed. The Town thanks all of the citizens who attended this meeting and volunteered their services for this year’s event. Last year’s crowd was estimated to be 650 people & the Town is expecting 1000 people this year due to advanced public relations & the 5K Walk, 5K Run & 10K Run sponsored by Impact Fitness.

The Blessing of the Fleet is scheduled for Friday, April 3, 2009 from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM. This four (4) hour time period for the event was agreed upon in order to allow the expected crowds access to the Town’s outstanding restaurants & bars. The 1st Annual Blessing of the Fleet Walk & Run is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, 2009 from 8:00 AM (Registration) until completion of the events.  The Town is hoping that this walk/run will attract the public to remain overnight in the Town of Cape Charles or the immediate area. Business owners should contact the Town Manager, Joe Vaccaro, for additional information regarding these events at townmanager@capecharles.org or 757-331-3259 x20.

Smitty reported that three (3) former crab dredgers arrived at the Harbor last week to begin work on collecting "Ghost Pots" (Crab pots that were "lost" due to weather or man made events that clutter the Harbor & surrounding areas). This is a State of Virginia sponsored program. The Town welcomes these men & women back to our Town.

Smitty "Orson Welles" Dize was on the WESR radio program "On the Edge of the Shore" this past week (Thursday, January 22, 2009) and discussed the upcoming Blessing of the Fleet with host Ms. Melody Scally. The Town thanks WESR & Ms. Scally for the opportunity to promote this upcoming event.

PLANNING

Tom Bonadeo, Town Planner, reported that the Town of Cape Charles hosted the Cape Charles Broadband Management Team meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 of this shortened work week. Tom also advised that the Request for Proposal for engineering this project is in the local news.

Tom said the Historical District Review Board approved a roof remodeling in the 500 Block of Tazewell Avenue this past week and he also reviewed a "draft" of a Storm Water Plan with the engineers from the SouthPort Project. The DEQ is the next group to review this Storm Water Plan.

Tom also worked on "easement issues" with the VDOT regarding Parcel 20 (Harbor) and another meeting is planned for the first week in February 2009 if all the information regarding these easements is compiled in time.

Tom worked with Assistant Code Enforcement Officer Jeb Brady & former Code Enforcement Officer Doug Smith on some transition items prior to Doug’s departure. Tom noted that Planning will assist the Code Enforcement Department over the next few months to ensure an orderly & timely transition that will be transparent to the public.

LIBRARY & TOWN CLERK

Ann Rutledge, Library Manager, reported that the Toddler Preschool Storytime was held last week and five (5) children & their care givers attended the event. Last week’s theme was "Things that Go".

Ann said that the Friends of the Library met on Monday, January 12, 2009. Details of that meeting are available upon request and may be obtained by contacting Ann at 757-331-1300.

The Library held it’s first "computer series" classes on Excel, Word Processing & the Internet last week. Ann said she has a "waiting list" of Citizens seeking this training. Please contact Ann at 757-331-1300 for additional information.

Ann has started plans for the Town’s Summer Reading Program & this year’s theme is "Be Creative at Your Library". Last summer’s reading program was a great success & the Town saw the largest number of children & youth participating in the program than previous years. The success was largely due to Ann, Dee Morris & the Friends of the Library.

Libby Hume, Town Clerk, has submitted the following information:

The Town Council will meet in Executive Session at the Town Hall on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 5:30 PM regarding personnel issues; this meeting is Closed to the Public.

The Town Council will meet for a Regular Council Session at the Saint Charles Catholic Church on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 7:00 PM; the Public is most welcome to attend this meeting.

The Planning Commission will have a Work Session at the Town Hall on Monday, January 26, 2009 at 6:00 PM & a Regular Meeting at the Town Hall on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 6:00 PM. The public is most welcome to attend these meetings.

The Broadband Management Team Meeting will have a Regular Meeting at the Town Hall on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 2:00 PM. The Historic District Review Board will also hold a Regular Meeting at the Town Hall on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 4:30 PM. The public is most welcome to attend these meetings.

Libby reported that the Town of Cape Charles returned the unsolicited proposal documents & the $5K check that Webtide provided the Town on Monday, December 29, 2008. A representative from Webtide arrived at the Town Hall on Friday, January 23, 2009 & signed for all of the materials & check.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Dave Fauber, Director of Public Works, reported that the PWD responded to several water leaks over the past week due to the "cold snap". One (1) leak was so dynamic that it was literally "pouring out" of the electrical fixtures at a residence. One (1) leak was discovered at the Harbor and another leak was discovered near the Bay Coast Rail Road Tracks. One (1) apartment, located on the west side of the Town, was leaking water from the second floor after it was discovered the owners lowered the heat in the residence to some 40 degrees in order to save heating monies.

Dave announced a major improvement in the Town’s meter readings; the PWD read ALL the Town’s meters in one (1) day. This was due to a new system devised by Dave & his Crews. This will save time, energy & manpower; good job to all! They also checked "abandoned" residences for leaks.

Kathleen Stevens continues painting the inside of the Town Hall and the public is welcome to view her good work during normal working hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. There have been some major "face lifts" to your Town Hall over the last ten (10) months. Please stop by & see us.

POLICE

Chief David Eder reported that he responded to a fight at an establishment located on Route 13 over the past weekend. Chief Eder said his assistance was requested by the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office regarding this situation. There were no reports of injuries or arrests.

Chief Eder said that the Cape Charles Police Department (CCPD) continues their investigation into the attempted abduction of a six (6) year old female from Mason Avenue & Strawberry Street over the summer of 2008. He said that the CCPD has received information indicating that the primary suspect in this attempted abduction was "accountable" during the time period in question. Investigative efforts continue.

ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER & TOWN MANAGER

The Town Staff will be conducting another budget review for all the departments this week. This is a continuous process that the staff has been paying close attention to over the last several months. We do not feel like the economic situation in the State of Virginia will get any better; so the Town (especially Paul Skolnick the Treasurer) is carefully accounting for all expenses & projected expenses.

Thank you again for the opportunity & privilege of serving this great Town & the people who reside or own properties here.

"There is more to life than simply increasing its speed.
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."
Mahatma Ghandi

The following information regarding the Webtide Unsolicited Proposal is FOR THE PUBLIC’S INFORMATION. This decision by the Town Council does not mean that the Town of Cape Charles will not participate with this good group in future projects or future Regional Water issues.

From the Mayor’s Desk

Mayor Dora Sullivan stated that she has received many questions regarding Webtide Unsolicited Proposal and she requested that the following be made public.

January 23, 2009

Webtide Unsolicited Proposal

Yesterday, the Cape Charles Town Council voted to reject the Webtide unsolicited proposal for consideration under the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act (PPEA). The reasons for this decision are summarized in the attached staff report. It is important to understand that this action was specific to the proposal submitted by Webtide. It was not a vote against a regional system, nor does it preclude establishment of a regional system by other means.

The concept of wastewater plant effluent reuse has been linked to a proposed regional system. This is an attractive concept that the Town of Cape Charles supports. However, it is important to understand that this is a complicated proposition that carries significant added cost (pumping, piping, reject storage and off-season storage). The state requirements are contained in 9 VAC 25-740, Water Reclamation and Reuse Regulation. While the details cannot be made public due to Webtide’s designation of confidentiality, their proposal does not include a clear, comprehensive path for effluent reuse. In fact, one of the alternative approaches described in the proposal is not a recognized reuse category under the state regulation. It should be noted that effluent reuse can be a feature of either a regional system or the Town’s system. It is a matter of available reuse options and the cost of implementation.

Town of Cape Charles Staff Report dated January 22, 2009

BACKGROUND:

The Town received an unsolicited proposal, dated December 29, 2008, from Webtide to build and operate a regional water and wastewater system to serve Cape Charles, Cheriton and portions of Northampton County as a Public-Private Partnership. Webtide is a consortium of engineering, construction, utility operation and consulting firms assembled by Webster Investors, LLC. The Town has studied this concept since early 2008 under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Town of Cheriton and Webster. The Town terminated the MOU in November because of an overall lack of progress.

DISCUSSION:

The Town must decide whether to accept or reject the unsolicited proposal for consideration under the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act (PPEA). If accepted, a substantial process of further analysis, solicitation of competing proposals and negotiation to conclude a comprehensive agreement would ensue. The Town can not afford to continue in parallel the design and engineering work on our new wastewater treatment plant, now at 30% design, if the proposal is accepted for consideration.

Council met in Executive Session earlier this evening to review the proposal with staff and representatives of Cheriton and Northampton County. A closed meeting was necessary because Webtide designated almost all of the relevant information as confidential.

The staff review of the proposal concludes the following:

1. Omits required financial statements.
2. Omits significant elements required for a functioning regional system.
3. Contains significant capital cost risk.
4. Contains significant operating cost risk.
5. Contains significant schedule risk.
6. Provides no financing advantages.
7. Delivers capability later than now planned.
8. Provides no advantage over normal public procurement procedures.

It will therefore be a major effort to negotiate this to a comprehensive agreement and it is doubtful that a reasonable cost can be agreed to. Also, it is difficult to argue that the proposal comports with the public purpose of the PPEA statute; i.e, accelerated schedule, cost efficiency, private investment, and advantages over normal procurement procedures.

RECOMMENDATION:

Staff asks Council to reject the unsolicited proposal.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Joe Vaccaro
Town Manager
Town of Cape Charles, VA
757-331-3259 x20

All information contained in this publication is believed to be true and correct at the time of publication.
Not responsible for typographical errors.

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Municipal Corporation of Cape Charles
2 Plum Street
Cape Charles, VA 23310
757-331-3259

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