by Madison White Franks
KILMARNOCK—Monday was a night for committee reports at the Kilmarnock Town Council meeting.
During the police/public safety/emergency preparedness report, council member Emerson Gravatt introduced a motion to create a temporary parking permit process and fee structure within the Steptoe’s District.
This permit would enable contractors who are working at a business to park their construction vehicles in the same stop for longer than the two hour limit on Main Street. Council member Keith Butler seconded the motion and it passed unanimously, 6-0, with support from council members Betsy Crowther, Rebecca Nunn, Michael Sutherland, Dr. Curtis Smith, Gravatt and Butler.
Also during the report, Gravatt noted police chief Mike Bedell will determine if the Northern Neck Regional Jail can temporarily hold those arrested for drunk in public.
Mayor Mae Umphlett asked Bedell if the Lancaster County Jail is full and Bedell responded the jail does not have the medical staff to handle an individual whose blood alcohol level is too high.
During the streets/sidewalks/playground report, Butler noted the committee had been discussing sidewalk repairs and replacement.
He said existing walks in need of repair are at the post office and along North Main Street from Cralle Court.
Potential locations for new sidewalks include Town Centre Drive, School Street from The Lancashire to North Main Street, along North Main Street from the Masonic Lodge to Town Centre Drive, Irvington Road to Harris Drive and Harris Drive to Rappahannock General Hospital.
Butler also noted the committee is reviewing the 45 mph speed limit along Technology Drive.
During the water/sewer committee report, Sutherland reported on issues caused by flushable wipes into Kilmarnock’s sewer system.
“They can block both residential and main sewer lines. Cleaning can be costly and time consuming,” he said.
A related consumer awareness program will be conducted in February, he said.
Nunn said the admin/finance committee will be pursuing a study of the Code of Virginia for ways to reduce the number and impact of derelict buildings within the Town of Kilmarnock.
