By Heather Michon, correspondent
The Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors approved Wednesday evening (Aug. 15) a special use permit requested by Virginia Electric & Power to build an electric transmission substation near Bremo. The substation, which will be built on right of way property already owned by Dominion, is needed to replace power generation units after the closure of the Bremo Power Station this past spring.
Brad Robinson, senior planner with the planning and zoning department, said the substation will cover about 27 acres. Access will be through a gravel road off Route 15, and the substation will be surrounded by a 12-foot high perimeter fence. “It will not be visible from the road,” he said, and any noise will be minimal.
In other zoning news, the board approved authorization to apply for a conditional use permit from Louisa County for two parcels that are part of the Zion Crossroads water project. Both parcels minimally cross the county line. Louisa County has agreed to waive application fees for the permit.
School dollars
The board also dealt with unspent money from the Fluvanna Middle School project.
With major repairs to the main gym and annex gym, along with new roofing, ceilings, flooring, lighting, and other upgrades, the county is left with $99,300 in principal and interest on a debt issued in 2015 by the Virginia Public School Authority (VPSA).
Because of the structure of the VSPA debt, the money can only be used for middle school projects. Superintendent Chuck Winkler’s priority for the money is continued abatement work and cleanup at the S.C. Abrams Building, part of the school’s campus.
Supervisors voted unanimously to put the $99,300 in the county general fund, which frees it up for use in that project.
Public works
Finance Director Eric Dahl received approval to transfer $50,000 from the fiscal year 2018 (FY18) general services fund and $14,000 from the FY18 public works budget into the FY18 facilities budget.
Dahl explained that multiple unanticipated maintenance issues at several county buildings meant the facilities budget was overspent by about $63,000 as of June. At the same time, public works and general services were under budget for the year. Shifting the funds brings the facilities budget back in line without hurting other departments.
“We also ask for things to stop breaking for the next year,” quipped County Administrator Steve Nichols.
Praise all around
Jason Smith, outgoing director of community and economic development, received a lengthy commendation for his work for the county over the past six years. Smith is moving to Richmond to take a position with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.
In his opening remarks, Nichols also singled out several members of the community for their help during last week’s school bus fire on Route 15. Bus driver Terry Carter, school resource officers, the sheriff’s reserve officers, school staff, along with community members Henry Woodfolk, Jason Black, Chad Harrison, Catherine Grey, and Marsha Stanford were all instrumental in making sure the children were safe and cared for in the aftermath of the fire.
The investigation into the cause of the fire is still ongoing.
