Why am I Starting an Infrastructure Page?

First off I'm a firm believer in the old saying "Trust but verify". I posted a number of blogs commenting on our infrastructure and have decided to give the topic it's own space on my website. The reason I have hesitated to start a separate page on this topic is because it's a major undertaking but I feel like it is time to get the ball rolling. I tried to push Council to start a Infrastructure/ Public Works committee last fall but once again was met with major opposition (at one point it started getting personal).

The more information put out there the better so if you have something to share please send email dwilliams@colonialbeachva.gov or call 540-604-4335.

A Little History

When I was first elected to council in the fall of 2021 I was appointed to the Public Works Liaison role and despite my request to stay in that role I was moved after my first year. I can't say for sure but some people feel like me asking too many questions had something to do with getting moved to another role. One of the first things I did in the PW Liaison role was ask for a tour of the Waste Water Treatment Plant. The tour was nice but seemed very sanitized (no pun intended). I'm not saying anything was being intentionally withheld but there was no indication of major issues or a deteriorating infrastructure with multi-million dollar repairs pending. I also found it rather difficult to get information but I'm hoping that will change with our new Town Manager. I do believe Council is interested in fixing our problems so please don't take my statements as anything contrary to that. Since no other current council members supported the infrastructure committee I have to assume there is just a fundamental disagreement on how we need to fix this long standing problem.

My First Two Blogs on Infrastructure (keep in mind when they were written and the first was prior to me being on council)

https://www.williams4cb.com/post/crumbling-infrastructure

https://www.williams4cb.com/post/cb-infrastructure-yes-it-s-still-crumbling

Where to Start - Feb 7, 2024

It would take hours to give a full assessment of the current state or the history of our infrastructure so I will start with my most recent blog from our last council meeting 2/7/24

Moonshot Update, Moonshot Team – This company did a thorough assessment of our WWTP - Waste Water Treatment Plant and gave a presentation at our meeting. Many serious issued but they can be fixed. It will cost millions and they said part of their assessment will include a rate assessment. Link to blog post https://www.williams4cb.com/post/councilman-williams-update-2-7-24 Link to video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vZ-oDlqigg

Set Special Meeting Date to Discuss WWTP Progress, Town Council – This public meeting will be for citizens, Council and other stakeholders to discuss the Sewer Plant.  It was set for Monday February 26th at 4pm (to be held at Town Center). For meeting notes see blog https://www.williams4cb.com/post/sewer-treatment-plant-meeting-2-26-24

FY25 Budget and Water Sewer bills 3/3/24 - A few people spoke at the Feb 26 meeting saying we need to raise rates. Were they plants? Not sure but I will need absolute proof we are doing all we can before I would agree to raise rates. It's not fair to the taxpayers to have their rates go up without answers to: 1) is the problem really that severe, 2) who dropped the ball? 3) how did we go from OK in 2021 to a $16M repair estimate? and 4) what are we doing to ensure it won't happen again? In my opinion Management and Council share in the blame. (Don't forget a $30 trash fee was recently added to the water/ sewer bill, currently $335 a quarter) 2022 Utility Study (listed under documents below)

3/6/24 Council Votes to turn plant operation over to a 3rd party contractor. See my blog comment for details. Link Below

4/3/24 Council Votes to Approve $5.7M DEQ Grant Agreement