By Amanda Collins

County officials attended an April 18 Town Council meeting to discuss buying land the county had sold to the town in the past.

Patrick County Administrator Tom Rose; Karl Weiss, of the Blue Ridge District, and Debbie Foley, economic development director, attended the council meeting.

Weiss said he represented the entire board of supervisors.

“We’re going to ask you for help,” he said, adding he would provide details in closed session.

He said residents in Claudville, Ararat and Willis Gap patronize the Northern Hospital of Surry County in Mount Airy, N.C. Those in Critz and areas nearby patronize the Martinsville Memorial Hospital.

“By far, the folks here in town will see the biggest benefit in the hospital reopening” in Stuart, Weiss said, and went on to detail a number of projects the county has worked with the town on in the past.

During his 10 year tenure on the board, Weiss said he either voted on or sat on a board that voted on funds for projects like the three phases of the Mayo River Rail Trail.

“I think the entire trail lays in town, and I’m glad it does,” Weiss said, continuing to name other projects such as the caboose, which is a centerpiece of the rail trail, and recently committed funds to install slides at DeHart Part pool.

The slides, Weiss said, will be primarily used by youngsters living in Stuart because most living in outlying areas of the county won’t drive to town to use the pool.

Events such as the Halloween Spooktacular, Stuart Rotary Club’s Demolition Derby, the Patrick County Music Association, Ag Expo, Business Expo, Wood Brothers Appreciation Day and Eagle Scout project also benefited from county funding, he said.

Weiss also noted the county cooperated with others to help local businesses, and helped the town with the Commerce Street Project.

More than $1.4 million was contributed to projects in and around Stuart during Weiss’ time on the board, he said.

“I fully intend to continue that commitment,” Weiss said, adding the town is well kept and is a centerpiece of the county.

“You’ve done that with our tax dollars by the way,” Mayor Ray Weiland said of county funding. He noted town residents not only pay town taxes, but also pay county taxes.

“Yeah, but a lot could have went to other areas of the county,” Weiss said. “I’m not throwing this out there to be negative. It’s a positive thing. I fought for these projects.”

“In all these projects, we’ve got some skin in the game,” Weiland said, adding the town also provided funds, labor and otherwise contributed to the projects. “This is not to belittle. We are grateful for everything.”

“I want so bad to see the doors open on that facility,” Weiss said of the hospital which closed in September.

“We all do,” Weiland said, adding he would like to see the doors open either the existing facility or on another facility.

Rose said the county sold the town 4.75 acres of land for less than $50,000, and at a savings of $85,190. He did not describe the land, or provide the location.

“We’ll sell it back to you for what we paid for it. We’re not looking for a profit,” Town Attorney Chris Corbett said.

Rose said he anticipated that response.

“We are very interested in buying that property back,” Weiss said.

The council voted to go into closed session to further discuss details with the county officials.

No action was taken following that discussion.

In other matters, council:

*Approved contributions to several community projects, including the DeHart Park pool slides; Patrick County Music Association (PCMA); Caring Hearts Free Clinic and the Patrick County Food Bank

*Learned that bids had been reviewed and companies selected for painting the office and replacing the carpet in some town offices.

*Learned a pipe replacement project should start in a few weeks, weather permitting.

*Learned Kevin Heath will attend a meeting on April 26 at 1 p.m. for an update on a sewer project.

*Approved advertising the more than $1.7 budget for fiscal 2018-19.