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Victoria’s blighted property ordinance, approved earlier this year, has resulted in the resolution of three dilapidated structures in town.

According to minutes from the Tuesday, July 14 Victoria Town Council meeting, the property at 1201 Garrison Avenue has been demolished by the property owner. Demolition of the property at 1700 Needham Drive will begin in a couple weeks. The properties identified by the town on Virginia Avenue were placed up for auction in a tax sale Thursday, July 16. Five properties were auctioned due to delinquent property taxes.

In other town business –

 

• A Special Use Permit was approved for the property at 1625 3^rd Street for the construction of a new home.
• A public hearing will be held at the August Town Council meeting to discuss the Parade/Event ordinance. The town is recommending a 14-day threshold for requiring a permit with a 10-day turnaround. The board also made the suggestion that the permit not be approved no more than 45 days prior to the event.
• James Elam was elected to continue serving as the town’s vice-mayor.
• Newton told the board he is working on a grant for a generator at the Marshall Pump Station.
• The town’s wastewater treatment personnel were awarded the Gold Water Treatment Plant Performance Award for Excellence from the Office of Drinking Water.
• Newton told the board about a significant water issue that occurred the weekend of June 27 and 28. A check valve failed on a pump at Nottoway Falls draining a five-mile line of water. Town crews worked the weekend to clean the intake and are currently running on Pump 2. Other issues were identified that need to be fixed to minimize the possibility of the issue happening again in the future. The check valve is still waiting to be repaired. Newton said town crews will begin running the Modest Creek intake once every two months to flush the lines and make sure the pumps are working correctly.
• The town plans to use funds provided by the CARES Act funds to reimburse expenses for the customer service panels at Town Hall. The expense for the Wi-Fi network at the park will also be reimbursed. Newton is requesting a panoramic camera and microphone for the council chambers to broadcast the council meetings. He also wants to upgrade the telephone system in the town office, leaving $8,500 for pre-approved expenses.
• The period of no penalties, late charges and utility cutoffs will end August 31.
• The town’s fund balance increased by approximately $78,000 from 2019.