October 11, 2022
MINUTES OF THE BROOKNEAL TOWN COUNCIL
7:00 PM – The regular meeting of the Brookneal Town Council
The municipal government of the Town of Brookneal met with the following members present:
Richard Adams, Mayor
Mark Wilkes, Vice Mayor
Barbara Laprade, Joseph David, Cynthia Johnson, Scott Fisher and Conner Francis, Council Members
Bobbie Waller, Clerk/Treasurer
Russell Thurston, Town Manager
Mike Crews, Public Works Director
Robert Kolich, Chief of Police
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Upon motion by Cynthia Johnson, seconded by Joseph David, and unanimously carried, Council approved the agenda for the October 11, 2022, regular meeting of the Brookneal Town Council.
MINUTES
Upon motion by Cynthia Johnson, seconded by Joseph David, and unanimously carried, Council approved the minutes for the September 13, 2022 Town Council meeting.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Mayor Adams asked that the October 2022 treasurer’s report be filed for audit.
PRESENTATION AND APPROVAL OF INVOICES
Be it resolved that motion was made by Conner Francis, seconded by Barbara Laprade, and unanimously carried, authorizing the payment of the invoices for the period of September 14, 2022 through October 11, 2022, in the amount of $35,428.00.
RESOLUTION FOR FOSTER FUELS
The Town Council and Mayor Adams presented the following resolution to Foster Fuels.
RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION PRESENTED TO FOSTER FUELS
WHEREAS, Foster Fuels has faithfully served the Brookneal community for more than 100 years opening for business back in 1921;
WHEREAS, From humble beginnings Mr. Lou Hilton Foster, Sr. sold kerosene and gasoline to families and businesses in the Brookneal area using an ox-drawn cart before the company owned a fuel delivery truck. Today the organization serves the Commonwealth of Virginia, the entire contiguous United States of America, as well as International customers;
WHEREAS, The small company back in the 1920’s, has now grown to more than 200 full-time employees as well as a part-time, “as needed” workforce of 60 additional employees;
WHEREAS, Brookneal still remains the Headquarters for the organization, today Foster Fuels has multiple locations in Virginia, as well as facilities in North Carolina, and Arizona;
WHEREAS, The company started out in the 1920’s selling kerosene and gasoline, today Foster Fuels provides home heating oil, propane, diesel, gas fireplaces, outdoor heating solutions, endless hot water systems, and propane system installation and maintenance;
WHEREAS, In response to major natural disasters in the United States, as well as foreign countries, Foster Fuels has a “Mission Critical” Division which is capable of providing much needed fueling services to devastated areas in order to help critical, life-saving services continue to function and to help communities rebuild and regain a sense of normalcy;
WHEREAS, Foster Fuels has generously given back to the community by financially supporting numerous non-profits, youth sports, youth camps, the Centra Foundation, Meals on Wheels, Coat drives, educational scholarships, Christmas programs, military and veterans organizations, Gleaning for the World, wildlife and nature conservation and many more great causes too numerous to mention;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BROOKNEAL TOWN COUNCIL that it shall be hereby acknowledged and affirmed with the Highest Honor and Deepest Gratitude that Foster Fuels is a remarkable example of what can be accomplished with commitment, dedication, teamwork and perseverance; this day of recognition is well deserved; job well done and best wishes for another 100 years!
Adopted this 11th day of October, 2022.
Attested:
The Honorable Richard Adams, Mayor
Mrs. Bobbie Waller, Clerk of Council
POLICE REPORT
Chief Robert Kolich said that of the 180 calls for service, 158 were answered by the Brookneal Police Department and 22 by the Campbell County Sheriff’s office. Chief Kolich said that he followed up on the grass clippings in the roadway issue with the commonwealth’s attorney from the last Council meeting. He said that grass falls under other substances, and it has to be proved without a reasonable doubt whether it is hazardous or destructive. He said it has to be proven without a reasonable doubt in order to get a conviction. He said he did some research and there has only been 6 calls for service in the entire county in the last 6 months, none in Brookneal in reference to grass in the road.
Vice Mayor Mark Wilkes commended Chief Kolich on a job well done with a citizen who had a medical emergency a few weeks prior. Mr. Wilkes said that he would like to see the town acquire some AED (automated external defibrillators) units for the police department. He said that these devices save lives and would benefit the police department. He said he would like to see if the funds could be found to purchase these devices.
MOTION TO PURCHASE AED (AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR) UNITS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Upon motion by Councilperson Laprade, seconded by Joseph David, and unanimously carried, the Council authorized the purchase of at least one of these AED units contingent upon funds being found in the current budget.
Art Pursel of the Drugstore Grill told the Chief to check with Centra that they provide grants for police departments for these AED units.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Public Works Director Mike Crews said there are about 50 more of the new radio read water meters to be installed. Councilperson Johnson asked if there was a contingency plan in place for the aging trash truck driver should he be unable to drive the truck. She suggested sending one of the other employees to school for training for CDL driver, and that they be required to sign a contract to drive the truck for “x” number of years. Mr. Crews said that they have discussed it, but it’s hard to find anyone who wants to work. Councilperson Francis suggested having a finance and planning committee meeting to start addressing this issue. Mayor Adams said that this should be addressed when the budget meetings start for the next fiscal year.
FALL CLEAN UP
Mr. Crews said that fall clean up will be held November 7—November 18, 2022. He said interested residents should call the Town office for more details and to be added to the list.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Town Manager Russell Thurston said that the new water meter system will save 2 days of labor by 2 people who used to physically read the water meters 2 days every month. He said the new system also will save the Town money by identifying water leaks that would have otherwise been undetected. Mr. Thurston congratulated Art Pursel on the opening of his new business “WERK”. Mr. Thurston told the Council about an event that Red Hill would be hosting on Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 11 am to 3 pm. He said it is an annual celebration of “Quarterplace”. He said Quarterplace is the slave cemetery with over 100 souls buried there.
Mr. Thurston said the YMCA has been looking for a place to operate a child care facility, and they have taken up occupancy in the basement of the Campbell County Library. He said their director is looking for a commercial space larger than their current space to make into their permanent home because they are close to full capacity.
Mr. Thurston said that he had 4 applicants for the New Beginnings grant. He said that the grants are being awarded to Art Pursel for 2 buildings he is working on in the total amount of $20,000 ($10,000 each); Mr. Thurston presented those awards to Mr. Pursel. Mr. Thurston said that Kimberly Windsor is working on 228 Main Street, and the bulk of the work she is doing will be for roof replacement on that building. Mr. Thurston said that the other grant is awarded to Phyllis Joseph who will be working on 436 Lynchburg Avenue; Mr. Thurston presented the award to Ms. Joseph. Ms. Joseph said that she is going to be opening “Grumma’s” restaurant which will be southern cuisine, comfort food.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
There were no committee recommendations.
ITEMS FROM TOWN COUNCIL
Councilperson Johnson asked if VDOT could be contacted to fix some of the holes in the road on Main Street and Hunter Road. Mr. Thurston told Ms. Johnson if she would give her some specific locations, he would contact VDOT.
Councilperson Francis said that the Brookneal Community Alliance, the new emerging chamber of commerce, met last night and has some big goals in mind. He said Brookneal Fest is October 29, and Trunk or Treat on Main Street is October 31. He said the president of the Brookneal Community Alliance is Art Pursel and the vice president is Jeffrey Carpenter.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Mark Wilkes, seconded by Conner Francis, and unanimously carried, Mayor Adams announced that the October 11, 2022, Council meeting was adjourned.
Bobbie A. Waller: Clerk/Treasurer
Richard Adams: Mayor
