Council declares April 26 Arbor Day
April 17, 2008 (Bill Doran, Herald Progress)
At the April 1 Town Council Meeting, Mayor Faye Prichard proclaimed April 26 as Ashland Arbor Day. The proclamation read, in part, "The Town of Ashland is committed to an ongoing process of renewal, improvement and beautification achieved through the planting of trees and recognizes the positive effect trees have in our community."
In 1872 J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees. The holiday, called Arbor Day was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska and is now observed throughout the nation and the world.
The National Arbor Day Foundation has recognized the town as a Tree City USA. "I urge all citizens to plant trees to gladden the hearts and promote the well-being of present and future generations," stated Prichard in the proclamation.
The Town will be having an Arbor Day ceremony on Saturday April 26 from 9-10 a.m. at Town Hall. They will plant the Town Christmas Tree - a Norway Spruce - and have some events for the kids. They'll also have information on tree planting and care and kick off Plant150 project where they hope to sell and plant 150 trees in Ashland for the fall birthday celebration.
Anne Woodward, Business Development Coordinator, presented a revision to the Faade Grant Program. The Faade, Landscaping, and Signage Incentive Grants Program has been established to provide financial assistance for businesses making physical improvements to street-front facades or to those making landscaping improvements in order to stimulate quality design and reinvestment in the Town.
The proposal institutes a review panel that consists of Town staff, rather than appointed citizens and professionals. It increases the amount of grants from $1,500 to varying amounts, depending on the type of work that is proposed. It provides a small grant for new businesses locating within the town for signage, (previously a business would have been required to have been in the town for one year before being eligible).
The changes add a provision requiring business owners to be in good standing with the town, relative to taxes and business licensure. Applicants are encouraged to seek assistance from local businesses for their projects. Limited design assistance is available through the Department of Business Development. Inquiries should be directed to Anne Woodward, awoodward@town.ashland.va.us or by phone at 804.752.3546.
The Town's Development Guidelines Handbook and the Voluntary Design Guidelines, and any other subsequent design guidelines adopted by the Town are also suggested resources to be used when planning projects.
Council approved a pool financial assistance policy. Assistant Town Manager Josh Farrar, at the request of council, prepared policy COU-162 that will provide every opportunity for individuals and families to enjoy the Carter Park Pool. "The Applicant should fill out a Pool Program Financial Assistance Application, and provide all required paperwork to the Town," said Farrar. "Town staff will review the application and income information according to Federal Poverty level guidelines updated annually. "Applicants whose income, as shown on their Federal Income Tax Return, is at or below 100 percent of the Federal Department of Health and Human Services poverty level will receive a 100 percent discount for a pool pass.
Applicants whose income falls between 100 percent and 150 percent of the Federal Department of Health and Human Services poverty level will receive 50 percent discount for a pool pass. "All personal records received by the Town as part of the Pool Financial Assistance Application procedure will be kept confidential and destroyed according to Commonwealth of Virginia records retention requirements."
Anyone wishing an application can pick one up at Town Hall. They will need to return the application along with their 2007 federal income tax information.
The final piece of business was the May 6 Town Council meeting. May 6 is the date of Town Council elections so the meeting will be moved to May 8, at 7:30 p.m. This meeting will start a half-hour later then usual to accommodate council members' schedules.