Council

Council

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the building. That addition, of course, would be subject to the approval of the town's Architectural Review Board to ensure that it complies with the Historic District Ordinance.

After the executive session. Councilman William Wickens revealed that he had offered to finance at least a portion of the necessary loan. "I recoil," he said, "at the provisions of the loan being negotiated at, the Rappahannock National Bank. I find them far more onerous than need be."

Mayor Morehouse said the bank had offered a loan at 12.5 percent for a three year term, amortized over 20 years, and will charge an additional 1.5 points (percent) on top of that amount.

"I have offered,” Mr. Wickens announced, "to provide some or all of the funds for the town’s transaction at far less onerous terms — subject to making sure that I will not go to jail for life.”

"We are perfectly happy," the mayor added, “to have other citizens join in and help.”

With Councilman Reinhardt Lynch abstaining, the council voted 6-0 to purchase the Town Hall building. And. with Mr. Lynch and Mr. Wickens abstaining, the council voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Morehouse and Treasurer Brad Fisher to sign any necessary papers pertaining to the agreement with the.county.

Action requested

Clavbert Smoot was back before the council, once again requesting some determination as to the status of a lot he owns which is split by the town boundary. As the matter stands, he does not have enough land in either the town or the county to build a house, which he wants to give to his daughter.

“I have talked about this for two years, and every time you say, ‘Set up another committee’ and it’s set back again," Mr. Smoot told the council.

Mayor Morehouse replied that part of the difficulty has been that Mr. Smoot has never filed a formal application or site plan for his proposed house. “If you make a formal application I will guarantee you a speedy hearing,” he told Mr. Smoot.

"With all due respect," Councilman Peter Skowronski added, "1 think Claybert has been jerked around long enough on this. Somebody needs to give him a straight answer.”

Steve Critzer suggested. “How about providing Mr. Smoot with a letter or a phone call in support of his application?”

“There is no procedure,” Mr. Reynolds reminded the council, "set up between the town and the county to move the boundaries. Let's not lead Mr. Smoot astray. We need to set up a procedure.”

“We can’t jerk him around any more,” Mayor Morehouse insisted. "It’s not fair. He has a right to know his rights." However, the mayor added, "we can't give him a firm answer until an application is submitted."

Mr. Reynolds pointed out that even if an agreement on a boundary adjustment is reached between the town and county, it must be submitted to the Circuit Court for approval. Then, he continued, the subdivision must still be approved by the Planning Commission and the Council.

"I think that the county wants to