1)      Held public hearing for FY 2010-2011 Budget.  There were no comments from the public.  The Council plan to adopt the budget at their next meeting on June 8, 2010.

2)      Joyce Fluharty gave a presentation updating Council on the new Town website.  Gary Patterson did the technical work on the new site and Ms. Fluharty has entered content on 71 of the 100 pages thus far.  Local civic organizations are asked to contact Ms. Fluharty to update their information.  Contact her at:  540-652-8773 or by email at

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3)      Approved a request from James Shifflett to lay three (3) sewer lines in one (1) ditch for proposed homes on Ramona Avenue, contingent upon the lines being color coded, the lines are spaced at least six (6) inches or more; the deeds to the properties contain an agreement stating the property owners are responsible for the pump and line from the home to its connection in the main line on Tenth Street; and the Virginia Department of Health provides approval for the three (3) sewer lines in one (1) ditch.  The Town’s engineer has stated development on Wahnona Avenue should be required to connect to the Town’s main sewer line on Carol Avenue, which should allow for gravity flow.  

4)      Dolores Lackovitch provided Council with an invitation and information on the ceremony to be held on June 19, 2010, at 2:00 p.m., at the gravesite of Patriot Jacob Smith in the Jollett Cemetery.  Jacob Smith served at the Battles of Saratoga, Princeton and Trenton under General George Washington.  This ceremony is being held by the Massanutten Chapter, NSDAR and the Shenandoah River Chapter, NSDAR to honor Jacob Smith’s life and his contributions to our country’s independence and freedom.  Following the ceremony, a reception will be held at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Shenandoah.  

5)      Council adopted a proclamation recognizing June 19, 2010, as Jacob Smith Day. 

6)      Amos Thomas and Kirk Comer presented Council with brochures and unveiled a framed photograph of the Veterans Memorial Stadium.  The baseball stadium was dedicated in 1950 and was destroyed by arson in 1987.  The photograph was donated by Dolores Lackovitch and is being loaned to the Town of Shenandoah for display at Town Hall by the members of www.RebuildingOurStadium.com which is a community project of local residents, civic organizations, businesses, and the local government to raise funds to rebuild the stadium at its previous location.  More information is on their website, by telephone at 540-742-1323, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it      

7)      Received a letter from the Virginia Department of Transportation informing Council the Town will not have to reimburse the $18,977, which was used to provide engineered plans and other items for the Big Gem Park Recreational Access Road.  Current economic conditions affected the Town’s availability of resources and the access road project had to be put on hold indefinitely by the Town.  If the Town’s finances improve in the future, VDOT suggests the Town file another request for access road funding.

8)      Received an invitation from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to a meeting scheduled for June 24, 2010, at 10 a.m. in Culpeper for updates and an overview of the economic development opportunities available in the data center industry. 

9)      Received a letter from the Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative indicating they will be the new service provider for our area once they take over for Allegheny Power.  More information may be obtained at their website www.svec.coop

10)  Received information from Page Memorial Hospital’s Auxiliary regarding their fundraising golf tournament scheduled for September 9, 2010 at the Shenvalee Golf Resort in New Market.  They are accepting sponsorships and more information may be obtained by calling 540-743-9087 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 540-743-3660 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

11)  Received information regarding Allegheny Power’s filing with the State Corporation Commission for a determination its plan complies with 20 VAC 5-317-10 through -50 of the Virginia Administrative Code.

12)  Authorized a $25 donation to the Baccalaureate Service for the graduating Class of 2010 at Page County High School.  The service will be held on June 6, 2010, at 3:00 p.m., at the PCHS auditorium.  Constance Switzer noted she would also personally donate $25 to the service.

13)  Received information regarding the “Experience Nature at Big Gem Park” scheduled for Saturday, May 29, 2010, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.  The event is being hosted by Girl Scout Troop 40487 and will include information regarding fishing, archery, fire safety, and other outdoor experiences.  Admission to the event is 1 non-perishable food item to be donated to Shenandoah Page One. 

14)  Authorized purchase of 102 touch read water meters, which will be installed this summer.  Thus far 623 of the touch read water meters have been installed and more installations will begin in June.  Eventually all 1,000 meters will be replaced.

15)  Work Orders were requested for the following:  water leak on South Second Street; put stone in the muddy areas at the ballpark if funds are available;  

16)  Council Members complimented the public works department on cleaning up the Town in preparation of the Memorial Day Festival and Parade.  They noted the extra mowing, weeding, and general clean up looks great! 

17)  Will request VDOT review the drainage issues on Seventh Street, which are affecting some homes in the area. 

18)  Authorized the Town Attorney to give his advice on the process needed for the Town to adopt a property maintenance code. 

19)  Requested the police department make extra patrols for all terrain vehicles and motorcycles being driven on the streets and in Big Gem Park. 

20)  Will request someone from Page County attend a Council meeting to give updates regarding the rescue squad services.  Also, agreed the Town will begin charging for water and electric being used by the County on Town property as the issues seem to be taking longer than anticipated originally. 

21)  Agreed if the Shenandoah Volunteer Rescue Squad desires to be placed under the Town’s charter, then the members should appear at a Council meeting and request this to be done.  It was noted if the Town Attorney advised the Council to approve the request, it would take a year or more for the process to come before the General Assembly for final decision.  

22)  Heard the demonstration for a ditch excavation machine went well and it appears the machine will be very useful and pay for itself within a couple of years.  Council tabled action on the purchase of the machine until a final price is negotiated.

23)  Heard a part-time public works employee quit the job, but the position will not be filled at this time.  Also, hours for all part-time employees will be closely monitored to ensure they do not go over the budgeted hours.    

24)  Parks and Recreation News:  The parks and recreation office is almost complete at the P&R building on Long Avenue.  Big Gem Park – musical events are still being scheduled.  Ivy was planted along the bank to prevent erosion.  River Park – Save the Bay Clean Up Day is scheduled for June 5, 2010, and anyone interested in volunteering should meet at the River Park at 9 a.m.  Trash bags, gloves, and bottled water will be provided for all volunteers.; The Town is accepting bids for a paved walking trail and if the project is not started prior to June 30, 2010, the $3,200 budgeted line item for the project will be lost.  Only 1 bid has been received thus far.;  Will forward a letter to Kawneer requesting funding for Town parks and recreation projects.

25)  Dolores Lackovitch reported the Shenandoah Crafters will hold their annual craft show in Shenandoah this fall.  She noted they plan to hold the event at the Shenandoah Elementary School. 

26)  Patricia Callahan reported she is a board member for Grace House who currently holds meetings for Alcoholics Anonymous; Narcotics Anonymous; and Al-Anon at the house on Third Street.  She noted invitations have been extended to Members of the Town Council to tour the facility, but they were disappointed no members have been able to take the tour.  She extended an open invitation to anyone who wanted to tour the facility or who has questions about their work to contact her at any time.  She noted the members of Grace House have been good stewards to the community and exemplary in the upkeep of the home and landscaping.  She thanked Chief Monteleone for his support of the facility and for the good working relationship his department has maintained with them.

27)  Shenandoah Beautification Committee Chair Dee Sampson reported the group is made up of mostly older, retired adults and have put in 570 volunteer hours during 2009, which was a 22 percent increase over 2008; they purchased table/benches for Big Gem Park; helped with Clean the Bay Day 2009; purchased new flower pots for 602; purchased fall and winter decorations; recently repotted and planted flowers along 340 and First Street; cooked and sold food for several fundraising events and sold Christmas Bows.  She noted the group is currently broke and will be conducting other fundraisers.  She reported the activities of the group have expanded over the years, mostly at the request of the Mayor or Council Members, and they are requesting more assistance from the Town to maintain areas.  She noted the group needs for the Town to put mulch on the mound on 602, near the archway; shrubs relocated from the intersection of First Street and Maryland Avenue to the bank at the old mill;  sweeping of the streets; cleaning of the gutters; and eventually installing electric service at the Town entrance signs.  She reported the group would like to construct a small greenhouse in the future to grow their own plants.