by Megan Schiffres
KILMARNOCK—The Kilmarnock town council on Monday voted unanimously, 6-0, to support efforts by Lancaster County to reinstate a right turn lane at James B. Jones Memorial Highway and North Main Street in Kilmarnock.
Mayor Mae Umphlett and council members Rebecca Nunn, Les Spivey, Emerson Gravatt, Curtis Smith and Michael Sutherland voted in favor of the resolution to support Lancaster’s efforts in reconstructing the intersection. Council member Keith Butler was absent.
In order to reinstate the right turn lane, the county plans to secure SmartScale funding from the Virginia Department of Transportation.
“The issue is we have to take land. We have to move the Walgreens’ sign to put in the turn lane,” said Smith.
The council also voted unanimously to purchase a new $46,000 bearing for the town’s wastewater treatment plant. The bearing was originally installed in 1996 and a recent inspection of the plant’s rotating equipment showed it has reached the end of its operational life.
Council also discussed their interest in hosting the Virginia World War I and World War II Profiles of Honor Mobile Tour, an interactive mobile museum exhibit highlighting the role that Virginians played in both World Wars.
The council has applied to host the exhibit in 2019. Members indicated they hope this visit will coincide with the Hometown Heroes Preview Party next year. Hosting the exhibit will cost roughly $18,000, which council member Nunn plans to raise through private donations from community members.
“If we are approved I will go out and dance on the tables to get that money,” Nunn said.