Halifax Town Council's Tuesday night meeting brought forth some
spirited discussion about the newly formed Halifax County Public
Services Authority's approval of a recommendation for mandatory
water-sewer connections.  And while Councilmen took no vote on the
matter, which will come before Halifax and South Boston Council members
and County Supervisors at their upcoming joint session next Monday,
September 17, several Councilmen voiced disagreement with the concept.
"There is no law that requires us to make this mandatory and nothing
that affects our getting grants (for the Authority)," said Councilman
Dick Moore. "All we're doing is giving them (the Authority) permission
to make people pay for something they may never use. I know of no
reason the Town of Halifax should approve this."
Councilman Jack Dunavant added that he felt approval of the resolution
should not be given to an unelected body, which comprises the
Authority. Councilman Charles Parker agreed, with both citing the fact
that the public would have little or no recourse since members of the
Authority are appointed, and consequently citizens have little power
over their decisions.
In an earlier work session it had been noted that the Authority needed
approval of the resolution in order to be able to apply for grant
funds. Mayor Leon Plaster, who has represented the Town on the
committee that helped establish the Authority, pleaded with Councilmen
to wait until they had more information from the Authority's lawyer
before making up their minds. He asked Town Manager Carl Espy to relay
the concerns of the Council to the lawyer, seeking to get better
information.
In other matters Plaster reported to Council that he, along with
Councilmen Phil Hollis and Moore had earlier in the day met with
Wachovia Bank officials to learn more about their plans for
consolidating the two local banks — Centerville and Halifax — and
closing the Halifax branch. "They were very cordial," Plaster said,
"but it is a decision that was made at a higher level to close Halfiax
on December 5." The Mayor said the representatives noted that the
Centerville facility was a larger facility that better suited their
needs. He said they indicated they would be putting the Halifax
building on the market and that they would willing to sell, perhaps to
a competing financial institution. "I just hope their desire to sell
will bring them to move quickly and that we can get some type of
community bank to take over," he said.
In other business Council approved a special use permit for Don Weaver
which will allow him to operate a pest control extermination business
within his home. Weaver said he only stores low volume pesticides in
the basement of his home and a storage building on his property.
Council also approved a lease agreement with New Cingular Wireless/ATT
Wireless and approved the refurbishing of the downtown water tank
(which is no longer in use) on which Cingular will locate its antennas.
The cost of the work on the water tank is figured to cost $40,167,
which will be covered by rent from Cingular. In conjunction with the
refurbishing of the water tank, Council also authorized Town manager
Carl Espy to proceed with the removal of the underground fuel storage
tank across Houston Street which was years ago used by the Halifax Fire
Department to provide fuel for its vehicles. After the removal and
agreement with the highway department to abandon a part of its
right-of-way near the storage tank location, a platform will be
constructed on the site to buffer and secure Cingular's equipment for
the tower antenna.
In other new business Dunavant alerted Council to statewide discussions
about lifting the moratorium on uranium mining which could affect a
site in Pittsylvania County. Back in the 1980's, proposals to mine
uranium in an area near the Banister River caused such a stir that
citizens banned together to oppose the mining and a moratorium on
uranium mining was passed. However, recently it has been disclosed that
the idea of alternative energy sources has arisen with the hope of
lifting the moratorium. "We have to be very vigilant in watching this,"
Dunavant alerted his fellow councilmen.
Dunavant also asked that Town Council write a note, thanking the
Chastain Foundation for creating the lovely little  wayside spot near
their driveway. He said the spot was a real addition to the Town's
beauty.
Council also approved the advertised amended new FY 200708 budget which
includes carryover funds from incomplete projects for the previous year
as well as a newly awarded $25,000 CDBG planning grant.
Council further instructed Espy to write a letter to the Village
Business Association, congratulating them on last Saturday's Historic
Festival and Wine Festival and encouraging them to do the same thing
next year.