Town of Fincastle  May9, 2024  Town Council Minutes  This meeting took place at the Fincastle Fire Department located at 25 Vine Street Fincastle, Members Present: Mayor Mary Bess Smith, Ed Bordett, Jim Reynolds, Bill Gaul, Pam Binns,  VA24090.  Paige Ware, John Thomas Members Absent:none  Staff Present: Morgan Keith, Melanie McFadyen Call to Order and determination of quorum by Mayor 7:00pm 1. Public Hearing - Town of Fincastle Budget FY2025 fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Projected Revenues General Fund Water/Sewer Fund  The Town's Finance Committee has developed and proposed the following budgets fort the  $190,000.00 $355.000.00 $545,000.00  Projected Expenditures General Fund Water/Sewer Fund  $190,000.00 $355.000.00 $545,000.00  The budget will be adopted at Council's. June meeting.  Mayor Smtih opened the public hearing at 7:02pm. Susan Critzer had a question on what the Litter Grant was.  Mayor Smith explained if the town buys trash bags, gloves, and other supplies for litter pickup around the town the town receives the DEQ Grant which offsets the cost of providingthese  supplies.  Mayor Smith closed the public hearing at 7:04pm. The council had no notes or questions regarding the budget. 2. Reading/Approval of April11,2024 Minutes  The vote to approve the budget will be in June at the next town councimeeting.    The minutes were approved as submitted. 3. Additions to the Agenda and Approval Mayor Smith will add this item as the new item 4. The agenda was approved as submitted. 4. Ben. Jackson- VFW- Fireworks  Ben. Jackson from the local' VFW Post asked to speak about the. July 4thf fireworks.  Ben Jackson is a member of the' VFW. He wanted to ask the council if the' VFWcould sell hotdogs, drinks, and chips at the upcoming 4th of July Fireworks. The VFW donates to many local businesses and schools. The VFW wants to sell hotdogs at the fireworks and give a Ben proposed that hot dogs would be sold for two dollars and drinks and chips will be sold at The VFWwould! be set upi in the ball field near where the fire department parks and would be Paige Ware likes the idea and mentions that some goers of the fireworks askwhy no foodis Ed Bordett makes a motion to investigate the requirement for the sale of hotdogs at the  percentage of the sales tol be reinvested into the fireworks.  one dollar.  cleaned up after the fireworks are completed.  being sold. fireworks.  Paige Ware seconded the motion.  AlL infavor:Mayor Smith, Ed Bordett, Jim Reynolds, Paige Ware, Pam Binns,John Thomas,  Bill Gaul No:none Abstain:none 5. Reports a. Financial  i. Approval of monthly bills for May 2024  Mayor Smith explained the high attorney fees in bothi the general fund and the water-sewer fund. The increase in price was also due to the hourly rate beingincreased. The hourly rate went from $190to $310. RevlewofTreasurers Reports for April2024 The reports included the saving account and CDs balances. The treasurer's reports were approved as submitted.  b.    Management i. BudgetFY2025  The budget will be approved at the. June meeting.  ii. Review of audited financial statements for year ended 6-30-2023 The town had an unqualified audit opinion. The audit mentioned the town was in good standing with its bookkeeping practices and reconciliations. The audit team had mentioned some suggestions that the town could take Corbin Stone from Robinson Farmer Cox will be coming to the July meeting  tol helpi improve practices and bookkeeping.  to discuss the audit. iii. Big Spring Park  Benches have been installed along the trail and int the outdoor classroom. Mulch has also been spread in the outdoor classroom. More trees are slowly being added into the orchard. The polinatorwildriower garden needs to be replenished.  iv. CDBG Grant Update  The design workshop is seti to be held on June 12-13from 5-6pm. The workshop will be open to the public SO anyone can attend.  A draft agenda is in progress. for business owners. V. Mayor's Report  AFaçade specialist will bei in attendance to help improve outdoor façades  1. Resolution- American 250 Marker Mayor Smith read the resolution. seconded' the resolution. Acopy is attached to the minutes.  Jim Reynolds motioned to adopt the resolution. Paige Ware    AlL in favor: Mayor Smith, Ed Bordett, Jim Reynolds,John Thomas, Paige Ware, Pam Binns, Bill Gaul  No:none Abstain:none  2. Status of Sidewalk repair bids  Two bids have been received regarding the sidewalk repair. VDOT has indicated that they will do the repairs to the sidewalk on Main Street, and that they will come into Town to do an assessment on which sidewalks belong to them, versus belongingt tothe Town. Until ownership of the sidewalks can be determined, the Townwill not engage a contractor to dot the repairs.  vi. Town Manger Update  Melanie had spoken witht the owner of XceptionalWidlife about a new pond contract. Xceptional Wildlife agreed to lower the cost and for 9 months the monthly payment would be $277 a month. This decrease is almost half of The consumer confidence report for water quality we be sent out shortly. Melanie is going to contact JL computers to update andi fix some glitches  the previous contract.  within the website.  6. Citizens Comments No comments were made. 7. Other matter/discussion from council  John Thomas is concerned about the potential contract with Xceptional. He believes there isal long-term solution of installing a pipe from the spring to the pond to raise the water level and circulatet the pond.. John believesif more circulation is provided to the pond, then the town will not have to pay for someone to come out and treat the pond. Hel has done research on the matter but does not know of anyone who couldactually come out to do the  work that he is recommending. 8. Adjournment    Next Meeting June 13,2024-7pm  RespecttulySubmited  Mayor Smith  Town Clerk, Morgan Keith    OF FINCA  PROCLAMATION  WIHFREAS, the Botetourt County Chapter, National Society ofthe Daughters ofthe American Revolution was Chartered on January 25, 1965, and WHFREAS, the DAR was founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., and the DAR is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children, and DAR members volunteer millions of service hours annually, and WIHEREAS, the Botetourt County Chapter National Society ofthe Daughters ofthe American Revolution has had a long-standing relationship with Botetourt County and the Town ofFincastle, and  WIEREAS, the Botetourt County Chapter National Society of the Daughters ofthe American Revolution is committed to bringing Patriots to life through their remarkable stories and legacies, while demonstrating modern relevancy and diversity of experience for our Patriots,  NOW, 13HFRETORE, we, the Mayor and members of the Town Council of the Town ofFincastle, thank the Botetourt County Chapter of the National Society ofthe Daughters of the American Revolution for this America 250 Patriots Marker that celebrates the brave Patriots who founded our nation. May this marker be a reminder to all who see it to emulate their conviction, courage,  and cooperation toward national unity.  UENALNIMOUSLY ADOPTED this 9th day ofMay 2024.  Mary Bess Smith, Mayor