The Patrick County Board of Supervisors (PCBOS) authorised the Income Sharing for Photo voltaic Vitality Tasks and Vitality Storage Techniques Ordinance, after a public listening to the place all however one speaker opposed it.
Wayne Kirkpatrick, a landowner close to the proposed Energix photo voltaic undertaking, was the one speaker on the public listening to who didn’t communicate towards the ordinance. “I haven’t got an issue with it if photo voltaic power goes,” he stated. “The issues had been that, earlier than, that they decommissioned the photo voltaic panels … I hope your ordinance will deal with these issues.”
Kirkpatrick added that he hopes the ordinance will defend the encompassing land house owners in addition to the individuals who will inherit the land sooner or later. He additionally stated that the vegetation that develop underneath the photo voltaic panel may be good grazing for animals if executed in the suitable method.
Jeanne Trabulsi, a resident of Patrick County for 50 years and a board member of the Virginia Coalition for Human Rights (VCHR), urged that adjustments be made to the photo voltaic ordinance to guard the county based mostly on the expertise of VCHR and Energix analysis.
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Trabulsi stated solely 8 of the 24 proposed Energix photo voltaic tasks had been denied county permits “and many of the eight prevented complying with county legal guidelines by buying present, beforehand authorised ones putting in photo voltaic” and that now that tools is getting older counties and residents are caught coping with it.
Trabulsi stated he despatched paperwork and images to the board as proof of his claims and research the place makes an attempt had been made to revive photo voltaic panel websites for agricultural use.
A speaker from the Dan River District urged the board to reject the photo voltaic undertaking based mostly on issues over digital waste, water air pollution, injury to farmland, his mistrust of the corporate Energix and the truth that surrounding counties rejected related affords.
4 different Patrick County residents, Mary Beth Clement, Kurt Bozenmayer, Jessica Wilkins and one whose title feels like Michelle McCan, additionally spoke within the public remark part with related issues.
In the course of the closed session of the assembly, the board mentioned the ordinance and authorised it as soon as again in common session.
Denise Stirewalt was nominated by the earlier PCBOS Chair Clyde DeLoach to function board chair for one 12 months, however as a result of lack of a second, nominated subsequent Clayton Kendrick to take the place as chair. Kendrick was authorised by the board.
Stirewalt was nominated and authorised because the board’s vice chair, though he abstained from the vote, saying he wouldn’t run for the board of supervisors within the subsequent election.
The board unanimously authorised the 2023 Code of Ethics and the 2023 assembly schedule.
The board authorised the adoption of Robert’s Guidelines of Governance after Kendrick made an modification to take away the 3-minute restrict beforehand positioned on feedback from the general public.
PCBOS Board Clerk Amy Walker introduced PCBOS committee appointments authorised by the board: PCBOS board member Brandon Simmons for the broadband and recreation committees; Kendrick for the Financial Growth Authority, Public Service Authority and Govt West Piedmont committees; DeLoach for the social providers board; PCBOS Board Member Doug Perry for LEO, LEPC, Emergency 911, STEP and Planning Fee committees; Stirewalt for the Stable Waste committee, Tourism Advisory Council; Simmons, Kendrick, Patrick County Circuit Court docket Clerk Sheri Hazlewood, Patrick County Treasurer Sandra Stone, Patrick County Finance Officer Lori Jones for the Funds Committee; Simmons, Kendrick, Hazlewood, for Insurance coverage Committee; Simmons and DeLoach for Faculty Board Liaison and City-County Liaison; Kendrick and Stirewalt for the West Piedmont Committee; and all the PCBOS board for the Constructing Committee.
The board authorised the agenda of the assembly with an modification, minutes and payments of the earlier assembly, claims and appropriations.
DeLoach learn a proclamation from the board to acknowledge the late Garry DeBruhl for his “devoted service and contributions to the neighborhood and his honorable navy service to our nation.”
The board held a public remark part the place two residents, Malcom Roach and Bozemayer, requested when the broadband set up could be accomplished and who would really obtain it. Roach requested Patrick County Financial Growth Director Sean Adkins to be on the subsequent assembly to reply questions.
Jeb Stuart Rescue Squad Captain Derek Wagner spoke about doable changes to billing practices, altering from smooth billing and transitioning to exhausting billing.
The board authorised a decision to finish state upkeep on Route 809, Epperson Lane.
Atrium Well being Enterprise Emergency Medication Vice President John Blalock gave a presentation on AirCare, an EMS community that serves sufferers, and the way it works inside Patrick County with volunteer and non-volunteer rescues. squad.
The board was advised by Walker that their battle of curiosity varieties are due on February 1.
The board stopped making a choice on distributors for hauling and disposing of rubbish due to the brand new board chair and vice chair and determined to decide on the subsequent assembly.
The following board assembly shall be held at 6 pm on January 23 on the Patrick County Administration constructing within the third ground board room.
Monique Holland is a reporter for the Martinsville Bulletin. She may be reached at monique.holland@martinsvillebulletin.com or at 276-734-9603.
