By Heather Michon
Correspondent
Three longtime public servants said their final public farewells at Wednesday’s (Dec. 20) Board of Supervisor’s meeting.
“It has been an honor to work with each and every one of you, and I’m going to miss you,” said Treasurer Linda Lenherr.
Lenherr started working for Fluvanna County in the summer of 1971. She was first elected treasurer in 1983 and has served continuously in that office since Jan. 1, 1984. Earlier this year, she announced that she would not run for another term; Deborah Rittenhouse will replace her in January.
Patricia Eager has served as Palmyra District Supervisor since January 2016.
“You’re a woman of composure,” said Chris Fairchild (Cunningham).
Chair Mozell Booker (Fork Union) recalled how impressed she had been by Eager’s service on the Planning Commission before Eager joined the Board of Supervisors and had continued to be impressed throughout her tenure.
This was also Booker’s last meeting, having served as Fork Union supervisor since 2008. She served as chair in 2014, 2015, and finally, this year.
“It has been a pleasure working with you and sitting with you and being your friend,” said Eager.
“We haven’t always agreed, but we’ve agreed a lot, and we agree that we love Fluvanna County,” Fairchild told Booker. “So, God bless you for all you’ve done and all you will do moving forward.”
All three women stressed that they were leaving office, but they were not leaving Fluvanna County.
“I’m going to lay low for a while and reevaluate,” said Booker, “and see what I want to go on to do.”
James River water project
The public agenda for this final meeting of 2023 was light. Mike Sheridan (Columbia) was away for the evening.
The big item of the evening was a special use ermit to construct a major utility in the completion of the James River Water Project.
The permit will allow the James River Water Authority to construct a water intake pipe and pumping station on the James River near Columbia and deliver the water to a water treatment facility in Louisa County via a four-mile underground water pipe along Bremo Road and East River Road.
Once operational, the pipeline will carry up to 8.57 million gallons of water per day to the Ferncliff water treatment plant. Fluvanna and Louisa will share the water 50-50.
County Administrator Eric Dahl said the new water line will spur economic development in the Zion Crossroads area and reduce Fluvanna’s use of groundwater.
Fairchild questioned why it had taken so long for this particular use permit to be requested, given how long the project had been underway. Dahl said they really couldn’t have brought it to the board earlier because it was only recently that the final design of the whole facility had been in view.
In 2020, an archaeological survey uncovered artifacts near Point of Fork showing that the original site chosen for the pumping station was likely the historical capitol of the Monacan Indian Nation. This necessitated moving to a new location upstream and adding miles to the pipeline needed to transport the raw water into Louisa.
Booker, Eager, and Tony O’Brien (Rivanna) recalled the many twists and turns the project had taken over the past few years. Booker said you could always look back and wonder what might have been, but “it seems like we’re on the right track now.”
The motion to approve the permit passed 4-0.
Ordinance
Supervisors also approved the advertisement of a public hearing for an ordinance change that would allow the county treasurer to refund up to $10,000 without having to bring it before the supervisors for a vote.
County Attorney Daniel Whitten explained the county’s current code only authorized the treasurer to refund up to $2,500 without permission. The state legislature raised the cap to $10,000 last year.
