The Patrick County Board of Supervisors discussed at its Nov. 7 meeting the need to remove a large amount of silt from a section of the Mayo River. The process involves heavy equipment beyond what the county’s maintenance department has on hand.
Misty Sheppard, Patrick County’s erosion administrative tracker and plan viewer, told the board that once the accumulated silt is removed, county maintenance employees should be able to keep the area in good shape using existing equipment.
Sheppard is currently working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to estimate what equipment may be needed and how many truckloads of silt need to be removed. Once Sheppard brings that information back to the Board of Supervisors, the county can begin soliciting quotes for the job.
The removal of the silt deposit is important to maintaining parts of the Mayo River Rail Trail, Sheppard said, but even if the trail didn’t exist, the silt still needs to be removed. County Administrator Tom Rose suggested that county officials look into project funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers since the silt problem has been caused by “water events.”
In other board actions, the Board of Supervisors agreed to provide permanent bathroom fixtures such as toilet-paper holders and soap dispensers for the Rotary Building, provided the Stuart Rotary club pays the county back. Rose explained that toilet paper rolls and soap are being stolen from bathrooms during large events such as the Patrick County Fair.
The Board of Supervisors also approved a comprehensive list of economic development goals for April 2017 to March 2018. Four of the five supervisors voted for the goals. Mayo River District Supervisor Lock Boyce voted against the goals. Boyce said he understands the goals are a “wish list,” but he does not support all the proposed projects.
Approving the list of goals allows county officials to apply for federal funding to support economic development. One noteworthy initiative is recruiting investors for construction of a 44-room hotel, Rose said.
Also, during its executive session, the Board of Supervisors approved the appointment of Terry Mills to the Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) committee. The next supervisors’ meeting is scheduled for December 12.
