By Debbie Adams
Pathfinders for Greenways is a non-profit organization, incorporated in 1997, which has involved citizens in the development of the greenway network throughout the Roanoke Valley. It is best known for its efforts in building and maintaining trails, selflessly donating up to 5,000 hours of volunteer service each year. Members have completed many projects on Vinton’s Wolf Creek Greenway, involving stream restoration and maintenance of the tunnel under Washington Avenue; they built the Gladetown Trail near the Craig Avenue Center, including a wooden bridge over the stream, along with many other projects in Vinton. They are also well-known for their financial support of the greenways.
At the Vinton Town Council meeting on June 6, Brian Cahill and several other Pathfinders members, Roanoke Valley Greenway Coordinator Frank McGuire, and Vinton’s representatives to the Greenway Commission, Bud LaRoche and Janet Scheid, presented the town with a check for $60,000 ($30,000 in 2021 and $30,000 in 2023) for the Glade Creek Greenway Phase 2 Project. The organization previously donated $15,000 for the Walnut Avenue Bike and Pedestrian Accommodations Project Phase 1 in 2021, for a total of $75,000.
Vinton Planning and Zoning Director Anita McMillan, a strong advocate for the greenways, recognized the Pathfinders for their continued support. Mayor Brad Grose presented the members with a certificate in appreciation of their “generous” cash donations and continued support which “have made Vinton a more walkable community.”
Vinton Economic Development Specialist Marshall Stanley noted, “Vinton Town Council is proud to partner with a local organization dedicated to expanding outdoor recreation and greenway development in Vinton. This donation helps expand the town’s outdoor assets and improves quality of life for residents and visitors.”
Council members then voted to appropriate funds in the amount of $30,000 for the Glade Creek Greenway Phase 2B project. These funds will be used towards the construction of the overhead fall shelter protection under the Norfolk Southern overpass on Walnut Avenue.
According to McMillan, “This fall shelter protection is required for the last section of the Glade Creek Greenway Phase 2B, a 2,900-linear foot, 10-foot wide, paved, off-road, ADA-accessible, bicycle/pedestrian trail, which will run from Gearhart Park to Walnut Avenue.”
Construction activity is set to start in July with an estimated completion in Spring 2024.
Community Programs Director Chasity Barbour recognized Vinton businesses and individuals who were recently named “Roanoke’s Best of 2023” by the Roanoker Magazine.
They include:
- Best Regional/Locally Based Bank: Bank of Botetourt (Platinum Level) and Pinnacle Bank (Gold Level)
- Best Credit Union: MemberOne (Platinum Level)
- Best CPA: Neely’s Accounting Service (Gold Level)
- Best Computer Repairs: Vinton Computer (Gold Level)
- Best Spray Tanning Salon: Glo Custom Spray Tan (Platinum Level)
- Best Dry Cleaner: Cleaner World (Platinum Level)
- Best Rental Store: Grand Rental Station (Gold Level)
- Best Massage Therapist: Tristina Pagans at Therapeutic Elements LLC (Silver Level)
- Best Esthetician: Chelsea Williams at Therapeutic Elements LLC (Silver Level)
- Best Dental Group: Cross, Lavinder, Quinn, and Park Family Dentistry (Silver Level)
- Best Doggie Day Care/Overnight Service: Field of Dreams (Gold Level)
- Best Individual Real Estate Agent: Brad Thomas, Mountain View Real Estate LLC (Silver Level)
- Best Wedding Florist: Flowers by Eddie (Gold Level) and Creative Occasions (Gold Level)
- Best Local Florist/Greenhouse: Flowers by Eddie (Gold Level) and Creative Occasions (Silver Level)
- Most Dependable Car Repair and Service: Woods Towing & Service Center (Silver Level)
- Female Star of the Star City: Chasity Barbour (Platinum Level) and Melissa Gaona (Silver Level)
- Best Library Branch: Vinton Public Library (Silver Level)
- Best Place to Host a Corporate Event/Conference: Vinton War Memorial (Silver Level)
- Best Local Artwork: Jon Murrill (Platinum Level)
- Best Local Artist to Watch: Jon Murrill (Silver Level)
- Best Indoor/Outdoor Quality/Disinfecting Provider: W. C. Butler Heating and Air Conditioning (Platinum Level)
Barbour and Stanley will be delivering certificates to all the individuals and businesses who were recognized.
Town Council issued a proclamation declaring June as “National Safety Month” for the sixth year. The National Safety Council is a nonprofit organization with the mission of eliminating preventable deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. NSC advances this mission by engaging businesses, government agencies, elected officials, and the public to help prevent the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.– preventable injuries. This year NSC is focusing on Emergency Preparedness, Heat-Related Illnesses, Hazard Recognition and Slips, Trips, and Falls. The overall goal is to bring awareness, prevent deaths, and stop loved ones and coworkers from becoming a statistic. Studies show three people in the U.S. are killed every ten minutes in preventable incidents.
Vinton Director of Human Resources and Risk Management Donna Collins thanked council, town administration, and all employees for their support and efforts in “bringing us to the level where everyone has a safe and healthy workspace.” Mayor Grose in return thanked her for all the trainings and support she provides to make that happen.
Under Action Items, council adopted an ordinance approving the Town of Vinton budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2024. Assistant Town Manager and Treasurer Cody Sexton reviewed the proposed budget once again. The budget has been thoroughly discussed in previous council meetings and at a public hearing. In the final version, the FY24 Budget has only minor changes from what has been presented previously.
Sexton noted that this year’s budget represents a balanced budget “with an optimistic outlook despite the modest concerns of an elevated inflationary national outlook and the potential for economic recession.”
The FY24 Budget of the General Fund totals $12,532,963, which represents an increase of 22.3% over the previous fiscal year. However, the FY24 Budget for all funds totals $14,232,116— an overall decrease of 19.8% from the previous year. About half of the town’s budget goes toward personnel costs.
The budget includes a 7% Cost of Living Adjustment for all employees with no increases to their healthcare costs. There are also targeted increases for the Police Dept. and Public Works Dept. since positions within those departments are often more difficult to fill. The Town of Vinton remains “virtually debt free” with only pass-through debt service on the books– due mainly to the sale of the town’s water and wastewater utility systems to the WVWA.
There was no increase in tax rates for the upcoming year, although some real estate and property tax bills have increased due to assessed market value increases.
Sexton noted that the town will be able to increase its paving budget substantially again this year to the delight of citizens, with plans for $1.4 million in paving work. Council is pleased that the town’s budget once again includes substantial Capital Funding– $1,286,000– for projects in highway maintenance, building and grounds, traffic signs and streets, planning and zoning, and economic development.
Mayor Grose thanked not only the Finance Department, but the entire town staff, for their efforts in budget development and fiscal responsibility. He also thanked previous councils who “left the town in good shape and made wise decisions, helping us to get to where we are today.” He noted that the town is “doing a lot and with a staff of only 69 employees.”
Vice Mayor Mike Stovall thanked residents, visitors to the town, and businesses such as Rosie’s who have helped put the town on such strong financial footing.
Town Manager Pete Peters updated council on several ongoing projects. The work on Cleveland Avenue waterlines by the Western Virginia Water Authority will be completed this month, with paving to follow.
He thanked Vinton Associate Planner Fayula Gordon for her work which led to the awarding of a Virginia Outdoors Foundation Grant for $218,000 for the multi-age park planned for the former Vinton Pool site near the Vinton War Memorial. The park is now in the conceptual design phase and will be an “in excess of $1 million” project. Funding currently available will cover over half of the estimated costs; more grants are pending. Local organizations, such as the Lions Club, are anticipated as community partners in the park project.
The Woodland Place Stream Restoration Project off Niagara Road is now complete, turning what was described as an “eroded cavern or ravine” into what Councilman Keith Liles says, “now looks like a park,” with giant boulders– a mini-Stonehenge. The project was funded by the Town of Vinton and the Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF).
Peters told council that the town received notification this week that the eastbound lane of Walnut Avenue from 2nd Street to Jackson Avenue will be closed to through traffic until June 30 while contractors continue construction along Walnut Avenue. This begins phase 2 of the Walnut Avenue improvement project which includes roadway paving and development of a shared-use path along the corridor to get bicycles off of the right-of-way, making it safer for both vehicles and bicyclists. Vehicles traveling eastbound on Walnut Avenue can use 2nd Street to access Cleveland Avenue.
The town manager also commended the Vinton Police Dept. for applying for and receiving grants totaling $160,000 which will be used to replace weapons (sidearms and shotguns) and purchase non-touch drug testing equipment, bike control equipment, fitness equipment, and a vehicle for the Task Force– money which taxpayers will not have to spend.
