Town Council - Regular Meeting

We went to How was it?

All right.

Good evening everyone and welcome to tonight's council meeting, Tuesday, April the 7, 2026. Please note that there will be opportunity during the meeting for citizens to address the town council when the mayor I declare public comment open. We request that anyone addressing the council sign up approach the podium when called. State your first and last name. Kim if you'll please call ro. Mr. Web here. Miss Quetch here. Miss Pion here. Vice Mayor Austin present. And Mayor Anderson

here. Now, we're going to have, excuse me, we're going to have the Abington Cub Scouts pack 20 Weeblows from the Abington Baptist Church to come forward with me, and we're going to lead in the pledge of allegiance, guys. Come on up. Stand right here. We'll turn to the flag here. If you all will lead us in the pledge of allegiance with your right hand.

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you gentlemen for coming today. Appreciate you all being here. Thank you all. Thank you. Now we're going to have Pastor Steve Vaughn from the Trig Street Church of God to come lead us in a prayer. If everyone will please stand.

Apologize for my voice. Like to tell you I got this from cheering for my home state Michigan Wolverines last night, but I just got a cold. Would you bow your heads with me? Father, I just love you tonight. I thank you for the wonderful town that we live in. I thank you for the people that live here. Lord, I pray your blessings over the leadership tonight, the decisions that we make. Lord, thank you for these young ladies that are behind me and the accomplishments that they have. Lord, we thank you so very much. We live in this special place that you've reserved for yourself. Lord, bless us this evening in Jesus name. And everyone said, amen. Amen. Thank you.

Now, we need approval of the agenda. Would anyone like to make that motion? So moved. Do I have a second? Second. Okay. Second by Derek Webb. Any further discussion? Kim, if you'll please call roll. Mr. Webb. I. Miss Quetch. I. Miss Pion. I. Vice Mayor Austin. I. And Mary Anderson. I. Now we have approval for the minutes from the March 2nd, 2026 and March 19th, 2026. Would someone like do those separately? Your mayor?

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. We we'll do those individually. First, we'll do the approval of minutes for March the second, 2026. Would someone like to make a motion on that? I'd move we approve those minutes as presented. I'll second that. Any further discussion? Kim, if you'll please call roll. Mr. Webb, let the record reflect. I was absent, abstain. Miss Qu. I Miss Pion, I was also absent. Abstain. Vice Mayor Austin. Hi. And Mayor Anderson. Hi. Now, if we get approval for the minutes for the March 19th, 2026 meeting. Someone would like to make a motion on that. I'll make a motion to approve those minutes. I'll second.

Any further discussion? Kim, if you'll please call roll. Mr. Wet. I. Miss Quetch. I. Miss Billian. I. Vice Mayor Austin. I would abstain as not being present. And Mayor Anderson. Hi. Um, it looks like we have no one signed up for public comment tonight. Is that right, Kim? That's correct.

We're going to move right on down to agenda. We're going to go to proclamations. And I I feel like everybody knows in their first two or three roles what we got going on. And the first proclamation tonight will be for the uh Abington High School girls basketball team. And I will be reading that proclamation first. It's going to be several proclamations tonight. So, after the first one's read, we'll take a picture and then so forth for the second, the third, and the fourth as we move on. The first proclamation that we have this evening is going to be in honor of the Aban High School girls basketball team 2026 VHSL class 3 state championship. Whereas the town of Abdon wishes to honor and recognize the Abin High School girls basketball team for compromising and dedicated to the students athletes and their teams and coaches. And whereas the community requires for student athletes to be a part of the sports team including meetings required grades attendance, volunteer expectation expectations in addition to attending daily practices and schedules, competitions and events. And whereas on March 14th, 2026, the Avenue High School girls basketball team complete competed in and won the VHSL class 3 state championship. And whereas the coaching staff and players of Abon High School girls basketball team made a significant impact on their school and their community by achieving the highest level of success and bringing home the state championship title. And whereas it is with great pride that the town council recognize the commitment, discipline, and teamwork of these student athletes who serve as models models for citizens across the Commonwealth. And now therefore, by the

authority vested in me, Mayor Dwayne Anderson, on behalf of Aban Town Council and citizens, I hereby command commend, excuse me, the Abington High School girls basketball team for their outstanding season and achievements in the VHSL class 3 state championship. The council wishes to continue success in their further endeavors. So, if everyone from the girls basketball team would please rise. I'm going to call your names first and then we'll just kind of line up. We're going to go with Miss King first. We'll go with Miss Miss Elizabeth Nichols. Miss Ameilia Hobbrook. We know that Hobbrook name around. Miss Lowry. Lowry. Miss Baker. Where's all these girls at today? They're in softball.

I think there's a softball game also. Is there Miss Kinder? Miss Fulen, Miss Fields, Miss Summit, Miss Bales. We know that name around this place, too. You got that bell's look and tremor. Nice work, AJ.

All right. There we go. And we've got the head coach, Coach, Coach Brown, assistant coach, Mr. James Agner. Austin Bernett.

I can't pronounce the first name. Calla Cali. Miss Clay.

That was the manager. Brad Busy here today. Miss Kumbo in attendance. I think this is going to be everybody. Good job. Thank you.

Thank you. I'll take Maybe squeeze in a little bit more. Make sure everybody Oh, I'm sorry. Sorry. Next will be the proclamation recognizing Abington High School girls volleyball team VHSL class 3 state championship. I think Vice Mayor Austin has that proclamation.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Whereas the town of Abbington wishes to honor and recognize the Abington High School girls volleyball team comprised of dedicated student athletes and the team's coaches. And whereas the commitment required for student athletes to be part of a sports team includes meeting required grade attendance and volunteer expectations in addition to attending daily practices and scheduled competition events. And whereas on November the 23rd, 2025, the Abington High School girls volleyball team competed in and won the VHSL class 3 state championship. And whereas the coaching staff and players of the Abington High School girls volleyball team made a significant impact on their school and community by achieving the highest level of success and bringing home a state championship title. And whereas it is with great pride that the town council recognizes the commitment, the discipline, and the teamwork of these student athletes who serve as models for citizens across the Commonwealth. Now therefore, by the authority vested in the mayor, on behalf of the Abbington Town Council and citizens, we hereby commend the Abington High School girls volleyball team for their outstanding season and achievement as VHSL class 3 state champions. The council wishes them continued success in their future endeavors. Having said that, I'd like to invite up to the podium here our 2026 BHSL class 3 state championship girls volleyball team. Ladies, if you come up, please

chair. You got congratulations.

Thank you. Congratulations. Hey ladies, how we doing? Quick there. Get you all in. We'll get you where you fit in here in just a moment.

I tell you folks, You should. Yes,

take a wheel. Kim, while we're up here, should we have the redo the basketball team pictures since we have We have one more. Okay.

Is everybody here now? All right. We'll do we'll do the volleyball first or we'll do the basketball first. Excuse me. We'll do volleyball after coach

king. And then I gave scout beat you to it on congratulations. Congratulations. Everyone wants to

hide you want to see everybody. Everybody here

two volleyball team bring you Uh, do we have the extra? I did get there.

One, two, three. Is it C? Is that your water? Yeah. I'm heading right back down, I guess.

Mr. Mayor, while we're in the process of doing this, perhaps you should uh tell them what's in the making right now to recognize state champions at Aba High School.

We y'all just about completed the whole board. We're coming into the town of Abin, we're now going to have up the things for all of our state championships and everything like that. So, with y'all still being enrolled at Aban High School and all we do is win win win. We have the third proclamation this evening will be a proclamation recognizing Abington High School's track and field VHS individual class 3 state championship. And that one will be read by Mr. Derek Web. Got it. My pleasure. I have before me the proclamation honoring and recognizing the VHSL class 3 champions Ansley AJ Trivet and Tyler Stanley. We're hearing AJ a lot tonight.

It's a repeat offender, huh? Yeah.

Whereas Abington High School has a proud tradition of academic and athletic excellence, fostering dedication, discipline, and sportsmanship among its students. And whereas student athletes AJ Trivet and Tyler Stanley have demonstrated exceptional commitment, perseverance, and skill in the sport of indoor track. And whereas AJ Trivet earned the title of VHSL class 3 state champion in shotput, showcasing remarkable strength, technique, and competitive excellence. And whereas Tyler Stanley earned the title of VHSL class 3 state champion in long jump, exemplifying outstanding athletic ability, focus, and determination. And whereas their achievements bring great pride and honor to Abington High School, their families, coaches, teammates, and the entire Abington community. And whereas these accomplishments reflect not only individual excellence, but also the strength of Abington's athletic programs and community support for youth achievement. Now therefore, Dwayne Anderson, mayor of the town of Abinan, does hereby recognize and commend AJ Trivet, Shotput state champion, and Tyler Stanley, Long Jump state champion, for their outstanding achievements and contributions to Abington High School and the town of Abington. Be it further proclaimed that we celebrate their success and wish them continued excellence in all their future endeavors. That's it.

I'm short even standing down up here. And I just want to say before everyone gets up and leaves, you know, everyone at their proclamation gets up and leaves. I I'm so proud to to say that I'm the mayor here in in Abon, Virginia cuz I attended Aban High School. We thought we were the best, but I'm looking at the best right now and I wish nothing but the best for you all in the future, your further endeavorment. So, thank you all very much for what you all have done for the town of A. Our next proclamation will be the proclamation for the month of April as child abuse prevention month for the town of Aan or in the town of Aon and that one will be read by

Yeah, it sounds uplifting. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it. Yeah. There goes half of our crowd. Yeah. Yeah. Now only the Baptist left. Yeah. Nothing personal, Donna. What is missing from that wall? Buckland's photo. It's been gone a while. Yeah. You had that one.

Take care.

It's nice to How tall is How tall is AJ? She's six foot, I think. Beautiful girl. Yeah, she was on the coach.

Yeah, she's great on soccer, too. She's a round good. Wait a couple years. That girl's really talented. She's a professional. She's already starting

and she's a leftanded up crazy stuff. A lot of crazy stuff. For those sole survivors of the remaining few standing, we're now going to do the proclamation for to proclaiming April as child abuse prevention month in the town of Aban. And Miss Donna will be reading that one. John's rounding them up.

Are they going to leave it open? I thought it before yours though.

Yes. Proclamation honoring April 2026 as child abuse prevention. Whereas the town Abington Town Council recognizes that more than 6,200 children in the Commonwealth of Virginia were confirmed victims of abuse and neglect during 2025. And whereas child abuse and neglect have profound and lasting effects on a child's physical, emotional, and mental well-being, often resulting in lifelong consequences. And whereas the prevention of child abuse is strengthened by promoting protective factors, including nurturing and supportive relationships, stable family environments, and access to community-based resources. And whereas effective prevention depends upon strong partnerships among families, community members, human service agency agencies, school faithbased organizations, law enforcement, health care providers, and the business community. And whereas the Abington Town Council recognizes and commends the dedications of professionals, volunteers, and organizations who work tireously to protect children, support families, and provide critical prevention and intervention services. And whereas protecting children and strengthening families is a shared responsibility and meaningful solutions require the active involvement involvement and commitment of all residents of the town of Abby. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that the Abington Town Council designates April 2026 as child abuse prevention month in

the town of Abington. And be it further proclaimed that all citizens are encouraged to work together to prevent child abuse and neglect, support families, and promote the health, safety, and well-being of Abidan's children. And be it further proclaimed that the residents of Abington are urged to increase awareness of child abuse prevention efforts, participate in community activities, and reaffirm their their commitment to ensuring that every child grows up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment.

Would you like to come forward? Sorry. Okay. Thank you all for taking time to do this tonight. um you know seeing all those student athletes up here that that is promoting things like that is one way to start build is building that safety net and I think the town does such a good job of reaching out and making sure that all children have opportunities and I I personally want to thank you for that. I also want to say um thank you to Chief Hullbrook's staff that we work with um daily at the Children's Advocacy Center. They do a fantastic job and it's obvious that they care about kids and that starts right here and um thank you for for being the leaders of this movement. Um, we have seen hundreds, hundreds of kids from Abington over the years that I've been at the CAC. Um, we last year we saw a total about 450 new kids from our four jurisdictions. So, it's a big job, but it takes it takes everybody,

but it starts with the town leadership and you guys are killing.

Thank you. Thank you very much for the kind words. And we have one more proclamation and that proclamation will be proclaiming April 24, 2026 as Arbor Day in the town of Abinan and Amanda Pion will be reading that proclamation. Whereas in 1872, Jay Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees, inspiring a legacy of stewardship that continues to grow today. And whereas this holiday known as Arbor Day was first celebrated with the planting of more than 1 million trees in Nebraska, demonstrating the extraordinary impact of collective community action. And whereas Arbor Day is now observed across the nation and around the world, uniting communities in a shared commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability. And whereas trees are vital to our environment, reducing soil erosion by wind and water, improving air quality, producing life sustaining oxygen, moderating temperatures, conserving energy, and providing essential habitat for wildlife. And whereas trees are a renewable and invaluable resource, supplying materials for homes, fuel, paper, and countless everyday products that support our way of life. And whereas trees enhance the beauty and character of the town of Abington, increase property values, strengthen economic vitality, and contribute to a healthier, more vibrant community. And whereas beyond their physical benefits, trees enrich our lives by offering shade, comfort, inspiration, and a sense of peace, connecting us to nature and to one another. And whereas the planting and care of trees today is an investment in the future, ensuring that generations

to come will enjoy a greener, healthier, and more sustainable world. Now therefore, Mayor Dwayne Anderson, Mayor of the Town of Abington, does hereby proclaim April 24th, 2026 as Arbor Day in the town of Abington, and urges all citizens to celebrate by supporting the protection and preservation of our trees and woodlands, and by planting trees to benefit present and future generations. Come forward, please. more pictures.

No, I was not. I never met Mr. Mort. Let's back up a little bit. Yeah, that That's all the photos.

Now, we're going to open up the public hearing. I don't think we have anything going with the public hearing, so we can close the public hearing. That being said, we have no resolutions today, no first reading of ordinance today, no second reading of ordinance today. Um, we have several things under the consideration of bids. The first is the consideration of bids for the 2026 annual spring asphalt resurfacing and I'm going to ask Kevin Worley to come up and give us a little briefing on that, please.

Good evening, Mayor Anderson and members of council and staff. Um, we posted bids out for our annual uh, spring paving March 11th. We received bids on March the 26th. Actually had two biders, uh, Finley Asphalt, which is a new bidder for us, and W&L Construction. The uh, two bids were were tallied up and analyzed to compare, make sure they were responsive and responsible. Both met those criteria. The low bid was WL Construction for $333,48946. And um give you a quick rundown of some of the areas that we're looking at paving in this project. We've got a section on Pan Street. We have two sections on Valley Street that we're working from uh Russell Road up to Wall Street to a section there and then from Street to uh College right here. We have those two large sections. We're doing full width across those where you've seen some of the low places and you see the mud sunking up out of those. We're going to do a pavement across those and full width and get both lanes tied in. I never like when VOTE just does one lane of traffic. We're going to get the whole thing. So, there'll be sections down through there. There's a lot more to do. We got a lot of sewer projects that'll be happening along Valley Street over the next few years. So, we're not paving anything below that. We're not paving anything even close to any of the areas we'll be in sewer projects for the next three or four years. Um, we have a section on Court Street where we had a sewer project that we're finishing up. Did a repave there. We have two sections on Whites Mill that we're working actually coming. We still have a large sewer project to tie in this next phase at the intersection of White and Valley. So, we're not doing anything till we go a little further up. And then, of course, everybody knows the section on up at Shady to uh Clark Street, that tail end section all the way the other end is in pretty bad shape. We're going to do the V Veterans Park uh entrance. that whole entrance road that comes into to the north side of the park as well as the

parking lot. We'll get those repaved. Uh we're going to uh do Abby Lane extension and a couple other areas. We've also identified uh and and and confirmed with town manager today. We're probably going to pave the farmers market parking lot. Finally, we'll finally get that back under pavement. And we have several other areas that we're targeting with some of the allocation that came from the urban maintenance funds that we get from the state. Those will be directly on the urban funded roads and the non-urban maintenance roads are from the council the council allocation that we received to do those and some other projects in town. Uh and we'll get a lot of those finished out before the end of June. So, we're doing a lot with with the money and we got a lot going on. So, at this point, I would like to uh ask the the council to award uh the contract to Wel Construction and authorize town manager and staff to execute any and all documents that we need to uh to move this forward. First couple questions. We used WNL before.

We've used WNL many times on our paving projects. Just just like to like get that out there for those that are out there listening just to make sure that everyone knows that they are a re a repeat bidder on all of our projects. They did the Center parking lot is one of the big ones that they did as a as a individual project separate from our our annual paving projects. Um there's several in our area that us that that bid occasionally in into our projects but W&L has done a considerable number for the year for several years. I didn't hear Park Street involved in that. Is Park Street Park Street as well?

Yes, Park Street is not part of this project. Park Street is its own project. Uh we actually received uh from a project meeting I had on site today with WL Construction and the contractor Jones Road and Bridge. They are starting tomorrow morning. Uh in the uh they've already mobilized milling equipment in our new parking lot over at the Cooper Trail. Actually in the back end I had them far enough out of the way. They'll start tomorrow morning. They'll be milling the intersection from uh the railroad out to the intersection of Park Street and then from Park Street down to Court Street and then they will come back behind and we're doing full width on that re repaving that. The lighting on that project is already installed and as soon as we get AP to put the power on, uh, we will have that project completed.

All right? You know, and and one of my original roles and asked when I when I took on the role as project manager in in 2021 is we have these six projects that we want to see completed. Well, there were five of them done the first year and the other one has been going on since 2015 and that project will come phase one come to completion. We'll actually get that phase two which will do the the remainder section from Court Street down to the fire hall and then up Tanner back to Maine and then do the section from PON up to uh Church Street and we'll get all of that put back in new sidewalks through that whole section. That whole corridor will be completed and will mimic very much what it looks like down going down Main Street the same way.

Any further questions? Anyone for Kevin? I'd like to move that we go ahead and grant this to No discussion. Second. Any further discussion? Kim, if you'll please call roll. Mr. Web. I. Miss Quetch. I. Miss Pillian. I. Vice Mayor Austin. Hi. And Mary Anderson. Hi. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. B.

We have no new business today. No old business. But we have miscellaneous business communication from our town manager. And the first will be a consideration for the banner display for coach Bannon legacy for teacher appreciation tribute April the 29th through May the 9th 2026. And we have our town manager Mike Cochran to discuss that with us here. Yes. Uh this is one that was not uh on the list of ones that had been approved. So, uh, as with the others we do like this, uh, just brought it to you all for consideration for approval and, uh, they'll supply the banner, the applicant. I make a motion we approve this banner for discipline. Do I have a second?

I'll second. Any further discussion? Kim, if you'll please call RO. Mr. Web, I. Miss Quetch, I. Miss Pion, I. Vice Mayor Austin, I. And Mayor Anderson,

I. Next, we have an update on the muster grounds. We're going to ask Mr. Mike Innings to come forward, please, on that. Looking very patriotic today. Say, my man, Mr. Mayor, town council, uh Mr. Cochran, thank you. Thank you for uh letting me speak this evening to share the updates of the muster grounds. I come representing the Over Mountain Victory Trail Association that the town of Abington has a memo of understanding with the OVTA. I sit on the board and with me tonight is David Don, the president of the OVTA and I also represent the must grounds committee. The must grounds committee is a nonprofit organization that was started to be the citizen support organization focusing just on the muster grounds itself. as that's building in organizational capacity. We're still functioning under theou with the OBVTA. I want to thank you also for the excellent support staff that we have the support that we've gotten from the staff particularly um Adam Bolt. Adam Bolt has been a real champion. Isaiah Thomas actually went out onto the muster grounds with his own bush hog to clear out some of the unclearared land. and uh Gabe Christophari. Grae Gabe has just been a huge advocate and just wonderful to work with. Here also is Kevin Sigman, the tree man. And I'll be showing some pictures of some some of the things. He's cleared out some of the dead trees and we've also planted some new trees. So, I'm I'm here to say thank you um to encourage the renewal of of theou, but to also share a little bit about mustering and why we're bringing the

muster grounds to life. Just this last week, um we had a politician that called and wanted to dedicate a flag, wanted to give a flag to the muster grounds. And so we were given very short notice in putting a ceremony together. We've become experienced with doing flag ceremonies. We've retired over 300 flags in the last year. Um and as the ceremony concluded, we were given a certificate that the flag had flown over the US capital. And as you read the certificate, it said it was being presented to the mustard grounds and Colonel Potter.

The mustard grounds. It's muster grounds. It's muster grounds. And getting that point across has been a real challenge. And it's interesting uh for me. I was a medic in the Navy back when ships were wood and men were made of iron and we would have morning musters and the and the word muster was very familiar to us those of us in the military that's when well as you mustered here as we mustered here there was roll call and uh well mail call was another special part announcements and I remember one day in boot camp well one day I got a Dear John letter that wasn't so exciting Another day I got a letter and I didn't recognize the return address and I was so excited to get a piece of mail that I replied when they when my name WAS CALLED. I SAID here and didn't complete that sentence. I should have said here sir. Uh,

and so I was assuming the position with my dog tags at attention while looking at this address that I didn't know where it was from. So for us who served in the military, muster has a very specific and very meaningful uh connotation to it. The word muster is actually from a French word muster. Muster and it means to show and really it's about who shows up. Muster is about who shows up. It's about showing up. And you've showed up. And the the success gurus like to say that 90% of success is simply showing up. And showing up to bring our history to life is what we're trying to do. We have showed up and the the must grounds committee is showing up. With me today also is Carol Mask. She serves as the regent of the daughters of the uh American Revolution. The muster grounds committee is a consortium of the D, the S, the Over Mountain Victory Trail Association, the historical society, and all of those members who helped build the muster grounds originally before COVID shut it down. And so we have regular musters. We started the year the the 20 25 with the first muster and that was on January 1st. It was cold but we had about 75 people that gathered at the cery. Now back in the day they would have gathered at the cery and marched or walked to their mustering site. We had over 50 people that marched the entire urban pathway to get from Tumb Tumbling Creek to the muster grounds to hear the stories and to participate dressed in well

period clothes. Not long after that, we had the spring muster in March and it was much much more than just a gathering of people. It was laying out the plans and uh activities that we were going to be doing during the year and the other musters, the duty roster of the day, whether it was the Emery and Henry students that came to clean up the bridge and to clean up parts of the muster grounds or it was the venture crew 1780, the scout troop that is commissioned at the muster grounds to do some spring cleaning, cleaning up some of the area after the long winter. I just lost my presentation. Oh,

there we go. During the summer, we have lots and lots of musters. And one of the most interesting that I always find is when the geese begin to muster at the muster grounds. when we would do Civil War Day, uh even though we never had a battle at the muster grounds, it became affectionately known as the Battle of Goose Poo Creek. So, the geese would muster there and we had restoration day there. So, we had a muster to talk about the restoration of the retirement. We had a muster for Randall Jones who literally wrote the book before they were heroes at Kings Mountain. One of the biggest musters that we have on a regular basis are the flag retirements and the Boy Scouts and the Cub Scouts who gather with us on a regular basis to honor the stars and stripes to retire them in a respectable way. This just a few weeks ago, we had the Sequoia Council do the Over Mountain annual continuous campfire. And for four nights in freezing cold, they retired over 250 flags while sleeping in the cold. Several of those young uh scouts received merit badges. We also have an annual call to arms which is probably one of the most exciting musters that we have. It's in cooperation with the Washington County School District. All of the fourth graders have an invitation to the muster grounds. They come and spend a day there. We get invaded and have between 15 and 18 stations set up where these children go from station to station and they learn about our history, life on the back country. Um whether it's as a field musician or

fiber arts or they get to bayonet apples. Boy, I wouldn't want to be an apple if I were around these kids. The call to arms sees about a thousand fourth graders come to the muster grounds. At the conclusion of the call to arms, the call to arms is scheduled right around the time of the annual march to commemorate the March of the over mountain men. And this last year we had a special evening as for the first time in a number of years we actually had a group of marchers who were going to walk the entire 200 mile march from the muster grounds to Kings Mountain. They did it in two weeks. And so we scheduled an evening before and called it the chase is on to chase the bulldog Patrick Ferguson. And we had a stew and brew band concert, a meal that well it was hosted by a certain restaurant that made the best beef stew we've ever had and partnered with Sweet Bay and it was a fundraiser and had a Celtic group known as the Hibernian Wooders come and play. quite a night of entertainment and it was a successful fundraiser for us. In talking with Adam, that's is becoming a model that we're going to be trying to duplicate in the Liberty Fest as it comes up to have stew and brew as a way to tell our story in a fun way. Throughout the year, we had a all kinds of musters, including Pack 20 came. They did a number of campouts for us. They planted a pollinator garden so that the butterflies could muster. Um, and as I mentioned earlier, the flag retirements are a big part of what we do. We still

have probably six large trash bags full of flags to retire. One flag that I took out today, it's 10 feet wide and 30 feet long. It's going to take a dozen people to lower that into the the fire to retire it. One of the most fun musters that we have is the mustering uh to restock the Wolf Creek. The Wolf Creek is restocked every year and this year we also helped stock the pond that is in the back of the muster grounds. It had it had had a breach in the the pond wall and it was just a sludgy mess and we were able to restore that pond. um and stock it and for the kids to come and throw the fish in, help stock the creek. It was a lot of fun. Just a couple of weeks later, we got a a picture. This picture down in the lower right hand side really is kind of meaningful. It was sent to me through Facebook um by a guy who used to live in the house two doors down from the mustard grounds. That's a picture of him and his buddies sitting on the creek bank of the Wolf Creek fishing when he was just a little guy. And I asked if he had had any stories about living that close to the mustard grounds. And he said, "Yeah, we there used to be an apple orchard up up between the houses and we used to pick up the little green apples and throw them at Miss Kate's shed in the back to make all the noise." Those are the kind of stories that bring the mustard grounds to life. As I said earlier, the the success gurus will say most of success is just showing up. But sometimes you got to show up differently. And doing the same old

stuff the same old way brings the same old results. And part of what we're doing is experimenting with different ways we can get people to the mustard grounds. And although Halloween wasn't exactly celebrated in colonial days, we had a haunted house and we had a haunted trail and we had the scarecrow of Romney Marsh come and tell stories by the campfire. There were over a hundred individuals that came to the creepy colonial Halloween and that was organized and put together totally by venture crew 1780 the scouts that were there. The harvest muster uh brought again a coordination between the cery and the mustard grounds when we actually planted the apple orchard where the old apple orchard had been with Gab's approval and with with the department of historic resources we had planned and for close to 15 years there was plans to put a heritage apple orchard on the upper end of the mustard grounds. Well, as of this week, every one of the dozen trees has sprouted and they are taking root. We had a visitor that day, Johnny Apples Seed, and although we don't have any evidence that Johnny Apples Seed was here, he served as a missionary of the Swedenborgian church. And there was a very active Swedenborgian church in Abington. So, we're claiming that Johnny Apples Seed, well, at least his story was told here. And um he presented, as you can see, our latest shirt that's available at the Mustard Crowds. It is Must Crowns.

And so, kind of to summarize, we had over 75 different musters at the mustard grounds over the year. um signing the guest register. 1,346 actually signed the register. That represents about a quarter of the people that come in. So we had a about 4,038 center visitors come in. And based on surveys that we've done in the past, most of the people come to the muster grounds because they want to walk their dog. They want to visit the park. They want to walk the trail. So, we had about 9,600 trail walkers, which means we had almost 15,000 visitors to the muster grounds. That's no small number. They represented over 32 states and three different countries to hear the story of Abington. The memo of understanding between the OVTA and the town of Abington uh specifies about 20 hours a week for six months of the year. And with our volunteer help, we have managed to have the muster grounds, the interpretive center open almost 7 days a week with volunteer hours and staff hours. We have over 2300 hours. And if you used the calculation that most people are using now, 34 $34.79 per hour for volunteer time, that means our staff and our volunteers contributed over $80,000 to the operation of the must grounds to tell the stories that make Abing put Abington on the map.

The OBTA raised over $7,500 for signage. There's another $10,000 that's waiting for us to actually pay for the signs. And the Monster Grounds committee has raised nearly $40,000 with 26,000 of that in an endowment fund to continue to plant and to continue to grow so that we can tell the stories in perpetuity. And so I wanted to thank you for this time to tell the story of the mustard grounds to let you know that this is what the the memo of understanding is bringing fruit for. I'm thrilled at what's coming. Gabe has taken charge of the retirement this week. They're actually putting colored paint on the rooms inside. Uh I've been a volunteer or participated for about 12 years at the muster grounds and to see the work that's being done is very very encouraging and so on behalf of the OVTA and the Must Grounds committee and the volunteers that are involved. Thank you all very very much.

Thank you. Any questions? any who wears extra large today. Thank you. Thanks, Mike.

Yeah. And uh yeah, he's out there all the time. There's a lot of And we al have Mr. Bell in the back. He is uh or in the middle. He he's out there quite a bit volunteering as well. It's Chris Bell from uh says his father. I just met Mr. Bell the other last weekend. Nice to have you, Mr. Bell. And thank you all for everything that y'all doing for the muster grounds. Muster grounds muster muster. Next we are going to be uh discussing regulations with the town manager proposal. Excuse me. I've got the annual tree report. Trying to 86 you there, Kevin. That's all right. Yes.

We saved the best for last, Kevin. Well, how do you follow that? I know exactly what you mean, bro. You say thank you. Follow that. Yes, sir.

Uh, Mr. Mayor, members of town council, it's always an honor to be able to stand before you and give you a report on uh our activities of the tree commission and our efforts here to keep uh Abington's community forest alive and well. Um hopefully you have the the report that I've sent in the highlights from this past year. Uh as always, uh our Tree City USA status um keeping that up and going. Um we still remain to be the westernmost community in the in the state uh to hold Tree City USA status and um we are very proud to keep that going. I think that's definitely a feather in our cap. Last year we had our Arbor Day celebration at Waga. Um I'm going to go check on that tree. There's a report that it may be missing. We don't not sure what's going on with it. I'll drive out there tomorrow.

I think it's still there. I'm there every day. I think I've seen it there. I'll I'll drop by just to verify. Unless the Easter Bunny got it. Bunny might have got it. I don't know.

I don't know. We'll see. Um we've had tree plantings over at Veterans Memorial Park with our memorial trees uh at the Kumsre Rex Center along the Virginia Creeper Trail, Everheart Park. Uh we're beginning a replanting of all the trees that were uh had to come down with all the stream restoration work there and our heritage apple trees over at the mustard grounds. Um the 12 trees that went in there. Uh yes, those trees are doing well and uh we also have deer guards up for those things to make sure that uh the deer don't nibble on them. So we will make sure those trees remain alive and healthy. Our tree giveaway program uh last year was a big success. We give away over 800 trees. Uh that goes very well. Uh our program is starting to get noticed throughout the state. um other communities are wanting to kind of exempl or kind of copy what we're doing. And of course, I tell them that we copied our uh our plan from Fredericksburg with their permission. And so, uh but we're glad to be able to see that we can continue with that and it's a it's a continued success. We want to continue with that. Um our tree uh dead tree removal program on the Creeper Trail is nearing completion. Uh we're paying the bills now. all the trees have been uh taken down and uh that I think was a big success with that. The monies came from the uh IRA grants, IRA funds um and by my count we we removed 482 dead and dying trees on the creeper trail. Uh which I think is a very good thing there for that. So, it was a good good program and um uh Orison Tree Service out of uh Natural Bridge came down and did the majority of that work and did a very good job there with that. Um our tree inventory and community management plan is nearing completion. Um it says the draft document is coming in this week. It has arrived at my office and I have sent it uh to uh to

Kevin and to and to Matt for their review as well. Uh we will be sending this on uh to you guys here eventually once we finish with the final product. Uh like I said, what we've got now is just the first draft. So that's coming up. Um on the wildflower side, uh we helped with the pollinator garden at the Kum Center and we there at the um there at the Y park uh there on that little hillside right there. We've got wild flowers planted in there and so uh I was down there looking at that. We've got to get some weeding done in there. We do have some uh some open areas in there, but we'll continue to plant to make sure that area is looking very well. Done. Um pedestrian street clearance pruning on Valley Street. That is a continual thing that needs to be done. Tree removals there at the muster grounds where we got some trees taken out over there. One big thing that happened this past year was a pesticide certification course for a lot of our town employees. Uh getting them with the registered technician status. Uh, and we got 11 employees registered to do that. So, that was a very good thing. Uh, we're working well with u the extension agent here in Washington County, Phil Blevens, um, who helps me out with that. And so, we uh we're going to keep up with that to make sure we've got people who can help uh with our herbicide programs, keeping the sidewalks in good shape. speaking engagements there uh continue with the Washington County Master Gardeners and my continued association with the town of Marian uh with their program and the board of directors at Trees Virginia and uh the Mid-Atlantic chapter of ISA. uh I still remain uh one of the officers for both of those uh acting as the secretary for for those for those organizations as well and of course assisted numerous town property owners uh when they call with questions and concerns about trees. Um goals and objectives for this coming year of course uh keep up with our Tree City USA status to make sure that uh

continues on. Our tree giveaway program is set for May 2nd for this year. Uh we've got over 900 trees uh slated for that. Uh we had our registration for that online on Monday. 900 trees were reserved in an hour and a half. It is amazing the demand and the interest uh that people have uh for uh for this program. Uh and I've gotten calls from people saying I I called in, you know, too late. And it's kind of like, well, we'll we'll work with those people as much as we can. Of course, we get about 70 70% of the people come and get their trees. And so the leftover trees, we hand them out there at the end. And that's what I tell these people to do is come be there at 12 o'clock when the program's over and we'll hand out trees and so they can get something to take home with them. Um, one interesting thing that's happening this year, uh, the Virginia Department of Forestry is hosting a wildfire risk reduction training. Uh, they've received a grant to do that and I've received permission to go to that. Uh, all the wildfires that we are very much aware of out west. Um, this is something that, uh, they're wanting to keep up with here on the east coast. So, some wildfire risk reduction training. Uh, I'll be going to that here in the month of May. Continuing maintain our trees uh, here that we've already got in the ground. One of the big things is keeping mulch around those trees to keep the string trimmers and the lawnmowers away from them. Uh, we do have a certified arborist training course coming to Abington in late July. Uh I've held a certified arborist certification since 1994. Uh and so there are a number of individuals in this region who want to get uh their certification as a certified arborist. Uh this course kind of leads them through that. Um we have Dr. Eric Weisman from Virginia Tech and Dr. Greg Dah from West Virginia coming down to teach the course. And then on the 31st there is the certified arburist

exam which will be there at the higher ed center and I'll be the proctor for that exam. So um and so that's coming up here at the end of July. We've got the community urban forest management plan coming up. Uh the organization that's been putting that together is called Arbor. Uh and they one of the things they will do is uh sometime this coming year uh they will come before you you all to uh give a presentation in terms of the program and what they've got. um continue our structural pruning and pedestrian street and pedestrian clearance pruning. Uh assist Washington County Extension with pesticide reertification classes. I help them, they help us. So, making sure we keep all of our guys certified. Uh continued association with Trees Virginia and MAC ISA and continue as a consultant for members of the the community here. And I want to make you guys aware uh it was read during the proclamation. Uh our Arbor Day celebration is coming up at the end of this month on Friday, April 24th at Greenale. Uh we will be planting a red maple tree down there on the walkway, going down to the playground area there in front. Uh I will be going there to the school this coming Friday to give a little presentation to the group that'll be with us. Uh kind of giving them a little, you know, reason why we're doing this and getting them all excited about that. So, uh, but we'd love to have you there. Um, love to get your hands dirty and help with the kids because that's sometimes kind of like hurting cats out there. But, uh, it's a good program. We have a lot of fun. We had a good time last year. I'm glad that we had you all with us and so be loved to have you. So, um, short and sweet, there it is. Any questions, comments? Love to more than willing to answer anything.

We appreciate everything you do. I I I have said this many times uh to this organization here. The relationship between my position and town council uh is a unique one within the town within the state of Virginia. I know many or many of my compatriots who do not have the level of support and commitment uh from their governmental body like we do here in Abington. And believe me, I appreciate it very very much and I think it shows in many ways and I do thank y'all once again. Thanks Kevin. Thank you.

Appreciate it. I'll be short.

All right. Next will be discussions regarding the town manager proposed financial year 2027 budget. And we have Mike Cochran, the town manager, here to discuss that. Yeah. Yeah. So, uh, the, uh, couple months ago, we had the department heads come in and, uh, and just give you the the the general ideas of where they wanted to be budget-wise. And then, of course, I get the fun part, which is, uh, to go through and match the revenues of the desires and then try and make everything work. And then, uh, we have s since uh, our previous finance director retired and has been replaced uh, by uh, by Amanda and she's uh she Yeah, I don't know. Uh anyway, it's been a long I'm still recovering from the from the presentations. They were excellent. Uh but yeah, I'm still uh Anyway, here I am. Uh so with with the the budget, there's a couple key takeaways. Uh this is uh on there's still a couple fine-tuning pieces that we have to do, but this is pretty close to where we're at. uh on the budget. Um the the current year that we're in uh has an authorized expenditure where we would spend $23,484 fund balance. Uh the uh the upcoming budget has a proposed expenditure of $237,853 of fund balance. And the uh the budget in includes no increases in revenues uh based on meals logic and sales which would be in the neighborhood of 300 and about 340 I believe was yeah 340,000 would be if we were to increase that but in the last couple years we've had a we've seen steady increases but with the

uh some of the the challenges going on now with the trail rebuild and all that uh I wanted to have a very conservative budget so we uh We're certain that we're not going to get caught short in anything. Uh and so with with the budget that we've got, um it's uh it's what I would call be a good budget. Um you want to step in. She is um far more eloquent when it comes to budget speak. Um I understand it in gross concepts, but she's got it in the finite details. But the the bottom line on the budget though is uh it it covers everything that we were looking for uh with a couple with a couple new positions uh and still matches the revenues.

So this takes into account um $188,94 grant match um $296,000 of contributions. Um like he said, there's going to be this this assumes no real estate tax rate changes. Lodging and mills tax stay unchanged. Sales sales and and lodging revenues are going to be held constant. For personnel, we've got a 3% COLA, which is about 210,000. Um, this also includes an 11.6% increase in our healthcare costs this year. Um, and that's the first one of three years about two years of that increase.

Yeah. Um it does include new headcount um of three positions for the police or records administrator, facilities and maintenance tech, recreation, a c a custodian. Um now in your packet um it's right before this the summary tab there is a proposed general fund project. So, the budget includes some capital outlay for the department, but there were some things that that we kind of pulled out to get to that budget number. And we put these in a list for you guys to review that if you want to to do these projects. You could pick and choose any of them, none of them, all of them. Um, but this would take on additional use of general fun. So that this would not be in that 236 number if you're okay with

going above that. Want to go back to the

Yeah. So in in doing that um in having that project list on the first page there the summary um our general fund cash balance as of the 131 bank statement and I didn't make any changes to this already. So these are just increased them. Um, but we had 11 a little over 11 million in cash funds. After you take out the reserve budget stabilization in the fleet replacement account, that left 4 million. And then of that 332,000 roughly is in restricted and assigned, which are small accounts like the cemetery trust fund, construction bond, things that the cash is there, but we can't just use it for anything. And that's the remains of the AR.

Yes. And the the loss revenue. Yeah. Yeah. So that what's the total in that again? Uh the total in the restricted is 332 52722. Okay. And of that 218ish is the washroom. And we already have projects that that are going to take up that. We just keep that segregated into a separate account. And as we reconcile, we transfer that money from this account because this account grows more interest. So then we transfer it into the operating account to cover those expenses when we process them.

Um but that leaves about 3.7 available for use. So that's savings out there that if you want to do something with available. And then just kind of as a reminder at the bottom of that page, I put the the two reserves that we have in our fiscal policy and where we currently are at in those reserves. Any questions?

Yeah. So on on the projects, there's a couple of them in there that some of the ones that were requested. Uh the one that had been requested uh earlier sometime earlier last year I believe was the outdoor walking track at the recreation center at the Coons. Uh it's gravel. Um it's it's a great place to get rocks in your shoes, but um you know if you like don't like rocks in your shoes, paving it would be nice. That's something we could we could likely do in house and come in at a decent price. That would be around $200,000. And I was surprised at that number, but he told me that the staff is going to Yeah. If we do a lot of the projects in house, it saves us a good chunk of money. Um, a lot of paving.

Yeah, it is. It is, but it's not the full width of a road either. It's a little bit narrower, so it's more of a multi-use walking path. And the other the other request that we had during the uh planning uh uh process was the basketball court. Uh, and this would be uh down off a street, fencing, asphalt, goals, and striping. We would get that in right around 65,000. And then there's some lighting for Latcher Field. Um some of the lighting there is um could be better. And so this would be replacing uh some of the older the sodium vapor the older style lights with some LED lighting. And that would be 51,600. And then the uh yeah couple other smaller projects couple for the police department duty pistols that chief mentioned last time and the night vision equipment. And then the last will be out back at the police station. They had something for a fem 25,000 and that total on that would be 404395. Uh and there's but with the 3.7 that's available in excessive cash um that would just be up to all how you wanted to handle that one. And other than that the budget is uh you know we can go uh we have it in presentation form. They can go you know page by page. There's overalls. Um the one bit I had some discussion before the uh before the meeting with uh someone on councel and one of the things that we do do um is uh the way I always budget. It's just the safest way to budget is we fully fund everything. Uh and then if you have vacancies or you have areas where where you don't spend it all, then you always obviously are left with some overages at 46,000 on regular overtime. and they're projected to be at 35 uh 365 by the end of the year. So, while the budget numbers are are in there, uh

there's always going to be savings based on how those operate. And then townwide, the current budget for overtime, uh across all departments for regular overtime is 172672 and we're currently projecting to be at 141 for the year. And so, uh, while there overtime is there, it's just one of those things where we budget it so we know that we have it, but you also don't want to spend it just because it's there. And thankfully, we have some, you know, some really great department heads that are very conscious about what we do. Uh, also know that we're working with public money, so we try to be very careful with how we spend that. And uh

one of the things to keep in mind when it comes to overtime, I will be explaining that today is the way we budget for overtime is is not based on actual. It's based on headcount and we look at that department and we we budget per person a certain number of hours per per week. So for example, uh facilities maintenance, everybody that's in that department is budgeted 3.5 hours. Not everybody in that department is going to get overtime every single day. So that is an inflated number but it's there in case of storm or big projects but especially especially now um several departments street maintenance they were at 1.5 hours we increased those to 3.5 because with all of the grants that are coming in some grants we can outsource the work some grants m crew has to do it. And with his crew having to do it, every hour is taken that's taken away doing grant work or or those projects, then the other stuff still has to get done. So we we budgeted for us doing a lot of those projects, but then if it comes up and we're able to outsource some of that, then of course the overtime.

Which department has the most overtime? Can you tell me that out of out of all the Yeah, please. Yeah. And u Yeah. Chief's got a list on that, but I mean it's within the the normal ranges. Um I was telling him today he goes one of the one of the areas is court and I said if we can just get defense attorneys to have them all plead guilty we'd save a lot of money. But they'd be out of business. Yeah. That's true. It wouldn't. So but anyway yeah they're u anyway. So on that one, next what we've got is um

so then the next slide is just a uh a summary for all departments for um personnel and operations. And then the this that that's on the screen is exactly what's in your binders. It's just certain things pulled out. And I would like to point out it's obvious but sometimes when you look at capital outlays that sort of is that percentage at the bottom will be drastically. So you have to always take that into consideration. And the grants the grants there's several departments that you'll notice either significantly increased or decreased

and it was because that department either got grants this year didn't and we put the grants in the expense line and in the revenue. So it it's offsetting but we put it in there to track it. Yeah, we've been very very fortunate with the grants and you'll see in a couple weeks when we open the uh train station what one of the grants will do and know that case like where we hadundred what thousand match a lot of that was uh in kind labor from public works you want to go by or page by page on these ones or how did you want to so this is that where we're at with the budget I mean had a couple extra positions added to there and there was some uh some request with respect to some of the fire personnel and I made some adjustments to there but not an increase in actual person not an increase in bodies just adjusted some folks that were in there and uh you were trying to um build the organization uh within the constraints of budget that's always a challenge um so I'm trying to see

and as it currently stands um I won't give an exact figure because I'm not quite comfortable doing that just yet. But as far as forecasting for 26, we budgeted a use of 203 and right now we're looking. So in this case, if we budget for a use of 237, the likelihood of even using that is unlikely because there's so many factors. Yeah. Then the one other thing when we're doing this by not by not budgeting for the the typical increase in uh in revenues or the the tourism related revenues uh I'm certain that within you know if the the trail gets done by December which is what the prediction is or what the contract is for uh if that happens then our spring next year is going to be significantly busier than it is right now. And so I would expect to have a very good year next year. So, this is about as conservative a budget as you can put together. And I would wholly expect that we'll uh do far better than this uh when it actually comes this time next year. But after the um you know, just a lot of moving parts, but I think we're getting a lot done and um and the grants have been very very fruitful for us because that helps. Uh and then we're also waiting on the uh the FEMA to get back to work whenever that actually happens. they they can fund our the trail the trestle do about $4 million worth of work the trestles that'll be funded through FEMA and the matches that are built into that are in here. So, and the nice thing with those those are 7% instead of all of our money. So, 7%'s a good way to get it done. And did you want to go page by page or just overall?

I don't think it's necessary. No. Yeah. Um, no, I appreciate it. And then, uh, so we've got a couple fine-tuning things to do to this and then we'll put it back in budget form then ready for a midmon if that works. Thank you for all your hard work. Yeah, it's uh it's just the department work and uh then Amanda's great with the spreadsheets. I just try to bring it all together. Uh, it's it's a fun time to be in Abington. I tell you that much. So, and uh thank you, Amanda. Thank you, Amanda. Thank you.

And uh Oh, yeah. One thing, the basketball half court down there at uh park, that's uh Yeah, Park Street. That's going up. Go either going up today or it's up. So, we had a back stop and then the it's a galvanized steel because the aluminum stuff will bend in a second. So, it's going to be galvanized steel to cover it. So if you're playing ball, it won't go into the river or the stream or we want to call that. So thank you Mike. Should be done any day. We've had it in for a while. Just a matter of getting this getting the ground to fall and get the people to do it. Yes, sir. In that basketball court over there on Main Street as well, too. Yeah. Yeah. It's all it's all doable. Um that idea. It's a lot less expensive than I was expecting. So

that's the benefit of having staff do it versus I like that too. Yeah. Yeah. I like that, too. Now we'll move on to council member reports. Um does anyone on council have any kind of reports that they would like to express? No. I just would like to thank the staff for the great job that they do all the time. We're we're lucky to have such a great town staff.

You're exactly right, Amanda. One thing that I do want to point out this weekend is race weekend here in Ab Bristol. But just look for let's say Thursday, Friday and Saturday. A lot of traffic flowing moving on coming street going out towards South Lake. Um just mind that. Keep that in mind everyone in town of Avenue that the race is in town this weekend. We're looking for a busy busy weekend in town of A. Mike.

Mr. Mayor, a couple of issues that I wanted to to bring up and I meant to ask Mr. Cochran meeting about a couple of these. One is it was called to my attention I guess last week that we're going to be fortunate enough to have the state tournament. Yeah. Baseball, I think track and softball. And softball. Yes. For the high school. Yes. Yeah. And I know that we approved the state closing the road near the high school for the roundabout

and we were going to do it from the day schools out until the day school recommenced. Are we going to be able to have a way for people to get to the ballpark? I believe the the actual construction Kevin is that is next. They will they know that those events are are scheduled. Okay.

Matter of fact, I was actually with one of the project coordinators today and we were sitting there talking about how they were going to what what we might be able to help them with if they need any additional signage and all that. So that is already being talked about about making sure there's access into look a little bit different kind of like we had to do a little bit with Valley Street closure and some of that but we will make sure the signage and the directions to get people to those events are being

great. I I could I was fearful that we could close two out of three entrances for those tournaments and we want to avoid that. We're also planning we have sewer work and all that. So u luckily I've got enough network with all of the the partners and with the contractors on our work and our future uh next phase of sewer work. We'll be coordinating all that together to make sure during those events, roadways are open and the construction crews are out of the way. All right. And I do believe some of the main games for the baseball will be down at the college. I believe that's where they're going to actually do some believe. That's soccer, I believe. Yeah.

Yeah. You're talking the the Jubilee and the the the I think the state championship for soccer is going to be at Emery. Yeah. But I think the other events Oh, yeah. I think the other events are going to be at our Okay. Yeah, I remember as I met with Mr. uh Mr. Gray and uh and the principal. Anyway, we got it. Good. Yes. Good. Uh second thing is what what are the expectations for the area at Veterans Park coming street where we had the grass uh planted and the wild flowers and what expect to come up there

this year? Sorry. So last year we we put down wildflower and we had great expectations and we also had a monsoon and that washed away all the seeds and then I said let's just get anything to grow. So then we just we hit it with um uh it was like a ry grass. We hit it with just some sort of grass and it turned out to be grass. The problem we're we're running into there is that that hill it's not the greatest soil in the world. They've killed it one too many times. Sure.

And we've had discussions about maybe tearing it at some point to um to uh like almost like they do with the coffee fields in the mountains, tearing it and then putting some some sort of flower boxes. But yeah, I don't love the look of that. Um I would love to do I mean remember we had to cut down all those pine trees years ago. They finally got too big. Yes. Starting to fall out and you still got all those stumps up there. It's a mess. It's just it's it's a mess up there because it's not the look that I want when you come into Abington. Yeah, it's Yeah, it's I don't know what we can do, but we'll find a way to make it look great better because it couldn't look worse. Out laughed the way I asked that is what what do we expect?

Well, what I want and versus what we're going to get may be different, but uh yeah. No, I want it to look better than it does because that's our gateway. It is. And last year we ran into a real issue uh you know and uh yeah, we'll find a way. Okay. I don't know what I like bamboo, but the naturalists don't like bamboo. So, and lastly, let me let me mention I started to mention it during our budget discussions a moment ago. Sure. Uh I'm I'm pleased with what I see in the budget. Cool. I really really am. Uh I want us to be proactive in looking forward to uh capital items that we know we're going to be needing in the

maybe not next year but the years after that such as replacement of police cars or fire uh truck or you know large items like that that that could really put a hurting shall we say on our budget. So yeah, absolutely. Thank you. Now, we have a couple projects coming down the line that that, you know, for grants that would require a decent sized match as well. And so, as part of part of having those funds allocated so we can start putting those to the side for those types of matches because and and I know that you all have done that, but we just need to be aware of that for the future so it doesn't put us in a difficult position.

Absolutely. Because if you look at that raw number, you think, "Oh, well, that's a lot of cash." And while it is a lot of cash, we also have a lot of massive expenditures in the future. So you sometimes you have to save it in order to not finance it in the future. So we're we're trying to trying to take care of it all. I understand. Mandy, you also did a great job with your presentation. Thank you. That's all I Thanks. I think that's all we have from council members. Now we have reappointments, boards, and committees. I don't know.

I I think we already know that there was somebody that we we're going to have to delay sustain a 911 that just came up all of a sudden and we don't have any applications. So, who was that? Uh Grayson Toiver. Tyler, I'm sorry. Okay. But the rest is just reappoints and we only had one applicant that was lived in Abington for the recy. So, I'm I'm glad to go ahead and do that. Go right ahead.

That's great. I'd make a motion that we reappoint Jonathan Barry and reappoint Joseph Matthews uh and um also appointment to fill the expired term of Steve Steven Bednar and with Ann Cunningham for the wreck advisory commission. And um that's all. I'll second. Any further discussion? Kim, if you'll please call a roll. Mr. Web. I. Miss Quetch. I. Miss Billian. I. Vice Mayor Austin. Hi. And Mary Anderson. Hi.

I guess we'll call this meeting ajourned. Thank you. Thank you.