MoreAn update on the status the proposed Rails to Trails program and questions of who should pay for needed easement surveys led to a heated discussion between the town's mayor and its council.
Friday, November 13, 2009 1:21 PM EST
An update on the status the proposed Rails to Trails program around Boydton and questions of who should pay for needed easement surveys led to a heated discussion on the contrasting duties between the town's mayor and its council Tuesday night.
The debate arose from a bill submitted to Council by Mayor Bob Salzmann last month for $435 from land surveyor J.R. Sainback. The bill was addressed to Landon “Bumps” Carter and was the result of surveying an easement across part of Carter’s property.
Council refused to pay the bill last month because they did not recall having approved the decision to have the surveying done.
Jimmy Walters, who has been working on the Rails to Trails project for the town, told Council Tuesday the easement was necessary because the project had not received the full funding they had requested from the Virginia Tobacco Commission.
“They had requested $724,000,” he said. “They received $156,000. Because it was only $156,000 they think it is going to take care of renovating the trail from Skipwith Road over to about Rudds Creek. There are several obstacles in the Boyton area they will be looking at.
“The problem is at Coleman’s Creek,” he added. “The crossing there. There is a way around it, Mr. Carter had talked about a bypass through his property that would allow us to bypass Coleman’s Creek and join the trail just before it gets into town. If we are able to do that we will be able to use the trail and not have to use the money right away on that piece of it.”
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