By Heather Michon
Correspondent
High waters from the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused major damage to a pedestrian bridge at Pleasant Grove just weeks after it was renovated and reopened to the public.
The Board of Supervisors was briefed on the damage at the start of its meeting Wednesday evening (Oct. 2).
The footbridge, which sits on the trails behind the Fluvanna County library, was declared unsafe by county officials early in 2024. Parks & Rec and public works staff completed the necessary repairs in September.
But then, heavy rains in recent weeks pushed rivers and creeks to their highest levels in over a decade. County Administrator Eric Dahl said the waters that swamped the bridge on Oct. 1 looked completely still on the surface but still carried enough force to lift the bridge and deposit it several feet from its original location.
The bridge is closed until further notice, and there is currently no timeline for repairs.
“This is a pretty minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things with everything that so many are experiencing from this storm,” said Chair Chris Fairchild (Cunningham). “Our prayers as a county are with the people who are experiencing that.”
County fair
Despite less than ideal weather, the County Fair in August brought in 7,887 paying guests, just 500 fewer than in 2023.
Parks & Rec director Aaron Spitzer reported that the fair cost the county about $27,000, a decrease from previous years. Matching grants had helped defray some of the costs.
The Fair Board, which helps organize the event, spent about $68,000, an increase of about $5,000. This was attributed to adding some new events like stump carving, and increases in costs for lighting and other materials.
Total revenue for the three-day event was about $86,000.
“We’re one of the only few county fairs that is growing in the state,” said Spitzer. “Most of the others are staying the same or going down, but we’re always trying to bring in something new.”
Pleasant Grove hunt
Also on the agenda Wednesday night was the approval of a hunt at Pleasant Grove for the Wheelin’ Sportsmen, a group that helps the disabled enjoy hunting and other outdoor activities.
The annual hunt benefits a group of hunters who might not otherwise have opportunities to get out into the field, and helps the county keep the park’s deer population manageable. While no deer were taken in the most recent hunt, an average of 2-5 deer were culled in pervious years.
This year, the hunt is scheduled for Dec. 27. The park and trails will be closed to the public during the event.
Public hearings advertised
Supervisors approved the advertisement of three public hearings scheduled for November 20:
Repealing and replacing Chapter 6 of the County Code. This chapter focuses on erosion and sediment control and needs to be updated to conform to new state regulations;
Approval of a lease agreement between Fluvanna Christian Services Society (FCSS) and the county for the use of space at the Carysbrook Complex. FCSS has leased property on the site since 2018. The new lease, which would last for five years at a rate of $180 per year, would allow FCSS to use space for overflow freezers for the food pantry and storing donations for the Happy Face Christmas toy and clothing drive;
Approval of a $3.2 million supplemental appropriation for Fluvanna County Public Schools. Most of the money will come from federal and state sources, but because it will technically expand the county’s $107 million budget by more than one percent, a public hearing needs to be held under state law.
