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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-04-07April 7, 1982 (Night Meeting) A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, was held on April 7, 1982, at 7:30 P.M. at Walton Middle School, Keene, Virginia. (Notice of this change in meeting place was advertised in the Daily Progress on March 24 and March 31, 1982.) Present: Mr. James R. Butler, Mrs. Patricia H. C'ooke, Mr. Gerald E. Fisher, Mr. C. Timoth Lindstrom and Miss Ellen V. Nash. Absent: Mr. J. T. Henley, Jr. Officers Present: St. John. County Executive, Guy B. Agnor, Jr. and County Attorney, George R. Agenda Item No. 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:37 P.M. by the Chairman, Mr. Fish~ Agenda Item No. 2. Public Hearing: Hatton Ferry. Mr. Fisher Said this hearing was prompted by a letter received in January of this year from the Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation which stated: " .... Unless Albemarle County is prepared to support the continued operation of the Ferry from its road ~mprovement funds (not its maintenance funds), the Department feels it must take steps to eliminate this expense. Among'our options would be the closing of the Ferry." Mr. Fisher said he was a member of the Board in the early 70's when it was threatened to close the Hatton Ferry. At that time, Buckingham County decided it did not want to use its road maintenance funds for this operation and Albemarle County agreed to use a portion of its funds for this purpose. Mr. Dan Roosevelt, Resident Engineer, said there has been a change in the State law as to allocation of highWay funds. In 1973, Albemarle County agreed to finance the operation of the Ferry out of the highway funds which are allocated directly to Albemarle County. At that time, allocation of funds for the Secondary System were distributed directly to the County and then the allocation was broken down into maintenance and construction funds. In 1977, the State law was changed so that all highways are financed on a state-wide basis. In effect, people in other parts of the State are now financing the cost of the Hatton Ferry operation. At this time, the only funds allocated directly to Albemarle County which must be used only in Albemarle County are secondary improvements funds. If the County wants to continue operation of the Ferry, the funds for that operation must be taken from secondary road improvements. If the County so agrees, the Highway Department will continue operation of the Ferry. Mr. Fisher said it has been indicated that it costs $20,000 per year to operate the Ferry. He asked what amount of road improvements will be lost if the Ferry operation is continued. Mr. Roosevelt said that road improvements are currently costing about $100,000 per mile, so the $20,000 covers about 2/10th of a mile. Miss Nash asked if the $20,000 cost is calculated on a full-time employee for a full year. Mr. Roosevelt said yes. Miss Nash asked if the operation could not be handled on a smaller scale. Mr. Roosevelt said it would be possible to operate the Ferry less than a full week. At this time, Mr. Fisher asked for comments from the public. He said he had suggested holding this meeting at this location because most of the complaints about secondary roads come from the southern part of the County. Mr. Jenkins, representing the Albemarle County Historical Society, said the Society would like to present the historical aspects of the Ferry. The Society proposes that the Ferry be operated on a part-time basis for a year or two while a committee investigates ways to finance operation of the Ferry. The Society realizes that the Ferry does not serve a transportation need, but it is of historical value. He then presented Mr. Booten Herndon who has chaired a special committee of the Society during discussion of the Ferry. Mr. Herndon said he grew up in Fry's Springs when it was a part of the County, went to New York to make his fortune, met a slick New York girl, married her and brought her back to Virginia. She did not like anything about the area until one day they were driving through the southern part of the County, came over a crest, and there was the Hatton Ferry. He said he has not been able to get his wife out of Albemarle since. He then introduced Mr. Bernard Chamberlain. Mr. Chamberlain said the earliest settlements in Virginia were at rivers. There were no bridges; no real roads, so ferries were needed. In 1745, Scott's Ferry was founded in Albemarle County. There was also the Hatton Ferry, the Warren Ferry, the Warminster Ferry and various ferries at intervals along the James. The ferries had a great commercial interest. The ferries have a tremendous historical interest at this time. Good history is good economics The tourism industry in Albemarle County is one of the things that sustain the area. There are two sorts of things which commend this area h'istorically. The grand and glorious such as Monticello and then there are the unique things such as the Hatton Ferry. The Hatton Ferry is one of the uniquities, and if the death knell is sounded tonight, the Hatton Ferry will never come back. Mr. Chamberlain said he is sure the Society can work out some method to keep the Ferry in at least partial operation. He said the Hatton Ferry has compartments to hold water here and there so that with a guide wire and a man polling, you get the benefit of the current of the river for propulsion. That is the unique part of the Ferry. There are a lot of barges that can be pulled across a river, but this Hatton Ferry is unique; the only one that he knows of in the whole country. Mr. Chamberlain said that counties all over the country exploit one little thing. He said he knows that this Board has the future of Albemarle County culture at heart, and if we don't preserve the little things as well as the big things, sometimes we miss the boat. He said he realizes that the Ferry cannot be preserved on a full-time operating basis, but it might be operated from Memorial Day until Labor Day on a part-time basis, and on weekends. He felt that these are just details and not a matter of principal. The Hatton Ferry is unique and the only thing that Albemarle County has that no one else has. Mr. Herndon then introduced Mr. Jeff Schmick of the James River Runners. Mr. Schmick said he sees a lot of people at the River; journalists, artists, T.V. people, historians. They come mainly to see the Ferry which is reputedly the last polled ferry in the United States. Mr. Schmick said he feels it is important to preserve the Ferry for us and our children. It is unique and something that needs to be checked constantly. He feels that all of these people will work together to find a method to support the operation of the Ferry. April 7, 1982 (Night Meeting) Mr. Herndon then introduced Mrs. Betty McLemore of the Visitors Bureau. Mrs. McLemore said visitors like to diversify what they do; they like to be outside and they like to ~articipate. She said that the new map from the State Department-of Outdoor Recreation will show the location of the Ferry. She said she would like to see some type of temporary support while interested persons form a committee to try and find a way to fund operation of the Ferry. Mr. Herndon said he had just found out tonight that whenever his wife has a client in the southern part of the County (she is a real estate agent), she takes them to the Ferry and back and forth across the River. He said he did not know that until tonight. Mr. Herndon said he has contacted several groups. The Charlottesville/Albemarle Jaycees; Mayor Thacker of Scottsville who felt the Scottsville Ruritan and Lions Clubs would be interested in helping with the Ferry; Joel Crock of the Sierra Club speaking for himself; and Peggy Van Yahres of the Piedmont Environmental Council; all would be glad to serve on a committee. He then introduced Mrs. Wayne Harbaugh. Mrs. Harbaugh said she had been requested to indicate if funds might be available to keep the Ferry in operation. She said the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation is publishing a brochure on Virginia Byways and they were delighted to find that the Hatton Ferry is just off Route 6 which is a Virginia Byway. Mrs. Harbaugh said she has not been able to find any source of operating funds, but on the theory that the County might put up some of its highway funds for operation of the Ferry, and on the theory that the County might want to get more benefit from those funds, she checked with the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation and the Commission on Game and Inland Fisheries about obtaining funds to extend the boundaries of the land partly owned by the Highway Department so that more parking could be provided and also a small picnic area. Both of these agencies offer their services to the County. They have some funds and would be willing to work on a Package arrangement to provide these amenities, but there are no operating funds available. Mr. Jenkins expressed his appreciation for the Board listening to this appeal and said the Historical Society will work with the Board to find an appropriate way to maintain the Ferry. Mr. Jim Nail said he has lived in the County for 12 years, for the last six of these years on a dusty road (Route 712) in the vicinity of Keene. He is not opposed to operation of the Hatton Ferry, but asked that the Board not spend highway improvement funds for its operation. Mrs. Peggy Van Yahres, speaking for the Piedmont Environmental Council, said they support operation on the reduced basis mentioned and hope that the Ferry will become a tourist attraction. Mr. Raymon Thacker, Mayor of Scottsville, said he has been around for over 70 years and there are some things on which'you cannot put a monetary value. The Hatton~Ferry is one of these things. He said that the tourist attraction of the Ferry itself could probably bring more people into southern Albemarle County and keep them overnight. The Ferry is of value to Scottsville since there is a museum there now. He hoped that some arrangement to keep the Ferry in operation can be worked out. Ms. Ann Johnson said she'lives near Keene and loves the Ferry. She would be willing to pay a fee to use the Ferry. She asked if that is possible. Mr. Roosevelt said he was not sure, but would find the answer. Mr. Fisher then asked for comments from the individual Board members. Miss Nash suggested that this problem be resolved through'a committee procedure. Since this operation is affected by the new Highway budget procedures which go into effect on July 1, this Committee could work with the Highway Department and find a plan that would be equitable. Mi~s Nash said she knows the problem with roads such as Route 712, ,but feels that the Board might use road funds this year, and hopefully by the end of next year, the committee will have found private funds for this operation. Mr. Lindstrom said this Board has put in a lot of time over the years trying to preserve the character of Albemarle County. He is, therefore, surprised that the Board is struggling so hard with a $20,000 expenditure. He personally has no problem supporting the allocation. He said there are some things beyond a monetary value and even if there is the possibility of charging a small fee to those using the Ferry, the Ferry'is one of those rare things that just by the mere existence of, contribute to humanity and civilization. Mr. Lindstrom said he has one concern'and that is that in trying to preserve the Ferry, it is destroyed, but he does feel that the Ferry deserves the Board's support. Mrs. Cooke said she agrees with the historical and unlimited value put on the Ferry. She indicated her support of whatever is necessary to preserve this uniquity in Albemarle County. Mr. Butler said he can sympathize with the gentlemen'about the paving of roads, but he feels the public needs to hang onto-some of the things which are treasured. He said he is willing to support whatever needs to be done to keep the Ferry in operation. Mr. Fisher asked if this discussion should be deferred to April 14. Miss Nash then offered motion to continue this discussion to April 14 at which time appointment of an appropriate committee should be considered. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lindstrom and carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Mr. Butler, Mrs. Cooke, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Lindstrom and Miss Nash. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Mr. Henley. At 8:21 P.M., the meeting was adjourned.