Council

Council

From Page A1

Administrator John McCarthy did discuss $4(X).000 in the draft Fiscal Year 2003 budget that was designated for Avon Hall, but no public discussion has yet occurred on such a purchase.

Avon Hall purchase

Mayor Willis prefaced the public hearing on the Avon Hall purchase by noting that there have been a number of studies conducted (on the wastewater treatment system), and “it may not work exactly as hoped—it might take a bit more of the land—but it’ll work.”

The primary public commenters during the public hearing on the purchase were Town Council worn a n -el ect Claudia Mitchell and Diane Bruce. Ms. Mitchell’s questions pertained to the proposed use of the property, and to the cost to Town residents of a Town-wide wastewater treatment system, should that be approved. By her comments and questions, she expressed concern that the development of a wastewater treatment system could hurt “some citizens” financially, hut Mayor Willis said that the installation cost for individual homeowners would not be exorbitant.

Ms. Bruce asked for clarification on the Mayor's statement about more land being required, and the Mayor responded by noting that anv additional land required would still be within the Avon Hall parcel. He said that “the Heath Department has three sets of rules—two of which work and we like,” and he indicated that chances were favorable for Health Department approval of a system that did not require additional land.

Newbill Miller expressed support for Council action on the purchase, commenting, “If this is ever going to come to (fruition), it’s going to have to come from that table (the Council table).” Roger Batchelder too spoke in favor of the purchase of Avon Hall, and the Council unanimously approved Mr. Critzer’s motion, seconded by Alice King, to do so.

Application denied

A Special Use permit application by Maintenance Manager Eddie Fletcher of The Inn at Little Washington was heard and denied by a three-to-two