Councilman Williams Update 8/19/26

Council member updates, Waste Water treatment plant update, Town manager updates and legislative priorities were all on Wednesday’s agenda. 

Lisa Grandstaff was absent 

Approval of Minutes: June 17, 2026, and August 5, 2026 - vote 6-0

Council Member Announcements

Parks and Rec- several events were mentioned.

Planning Commission - Their last meeting was July 13. BZA approved a variance.

Finance - if you’re behind on your taxes or water, bill contact finance.

Public Safety – the Colonial Beach Police Explorers ages 14 to 21 will be having a meeting on 8/28 at 5 PM. Next neighborhood watch September 24 6 PM and national night out October 13th 5pm to 8pm.

Non-governmental - The Community Foundation will be hosting the Town Council candidates forum on Sept 9th at 6pm at the Elementary School. 

Public Works - Announced a number of repairs and investigations with water and sewer lines. Supported the wastewater treatment plant to include sludge press back in service. Also worked on debris, cleanup, and other repairs.

Mayor - there was an economic vitality meeting recently. Kids are back in school. Help needed to start back up Cub Scouts. COMREL next week in King George.

Town Manager Update

Sewer Plant Update, John Simmons, Inboden Environmental Services - The plant is still dealing with inflow and infiltration issues but has improved. There have been flow meter repairs. There are some fecal elevations. Finished sludge processing which should improve overall plant operation.

I asked about the FOG Fats Oils Grease and I & I legislation/ policy and was told they are currently working on those issues.

APRA Wastewater Treatment Plant/Utility Projects Update - we were given several updates, including the spending of ARPA funds. There have been several pump station upgrades. The waste water collection system totaling $992k.  6th Street was the largest project at a cost of $611 K.  The town has spent $2.35M on the wastewater treatment plant with the largest project being the sludge removal. The other projects, including the SCADA system, pump replacement, and plant repairs.  $5.7M DEQ ARPA funds (COVID money) $3.87M has been reimbursed to the town and $1.89M remains.

Good news for the taxpayers, DEQ waived the 2025 penalties of $235k the town manager thanked Inboden and staff for their efforts.

Years of Service Michael Welden – 5 Years of Service, Public Works - Congratulations!

Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors, Mr. Trivett, District V Supervisor - Congratulated the town manager. Stated the county had a new parks and rec Director. The transfer station is now allowing 5’x8’ trailers. Stated the governor added 200 million to the budget for wastewater treatment plants.

Colonial Beach Public Schools, Dr. Addo, Superintendent - We are in the second week of school. He said it was his 30th year in education. The school retained 89% of their staff from last year. They had a ribbon-cutting for the front entrance of the high school.

Public Comment

Citizen – stated she was president of the Osprey Foundation noting 11 of 38 nests were successful this year which is a bad trend.  Suggested proposed language for the legislative priorities regarding the management of menhaden over fishing.

Citizen - Mentioned concerns about the menhaden overfishing. Suggested adding Potomac River aquifer to our legislative priorities, something that Senator Stewart has supported in a letter to the Governor regarding water supplies.

2027 Legislative Agenda, Natasha Tucker, Town Manager - Council reviewed last year‘s priorities and discussed whether there should be any changes for 2027.  Council discussed the list below of seven items which were last year‘s priority. I suggested adding the eighth item which is water pipes because they were not included in last year‘s priorities. See below for my comments on each item. 

1. Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) - Council seemed to agree that this is still a top priority to ensure our wastewater treatment plant does not go back to disrepair.

2. Community Infrastructure - this includes sidewalks, crosswalks, road maintenance and other safety and accessibility improvements. 

3. Environmental Resiliency & Stormwater - this includes primarily things like erosion control, Shoreline resiliency, stormwater drainage, etc.

4. Economic Development & Tourism - this is primarily to support our businesses and economy.

5. Local Access to Healthcare - one complaint I’ve had and received over the years is no healthcare, dental or eye care services in Colonial Beach which is why I pushed for this to be added last year.

6. Required Local Match for Schools - this is to try to help get small towns like ours relief from the increasing school match requirement by the state.  While council agreed that it would be nice to have the local match reduced, we’re not so sure this legislative priority has any chance. I suggested changing the language since it was mentioned that the unfunded mandates were a large part of the issue. The mayor said she liked my suggestion. 

7. Access to Broadband - This is to try to help improve Internet quality in town.  There was some discussion about prior studies and overall needs, but it was decided to keep this on the priorities list.

8. Water lines - I asked if waterlines were covered anywhere in the infrastructure/ wastewater treatment plant priorities and was told no. I asked the public works director if the tips that I’ve received over the years about the water pipes being in very poor condition were true, and he said we don’t know the actual condition since they are underground, but we are no different than the rest of the nation dealing with decaying water lines.  To me the condition of the pipes that carry our drinking water is very important.  Council agreed that this should be added to the priority list.

Since we’ve been submitting legislative request for the last four or five years, I asked for some updates on effectiveness of this process. The mayor mentioned the North Beach grant, the waste water treatment plant funding, and a couple other items.  I do think this process is useful but there is a lot of competition for the dwindling tax dollars.  This year per my suggestion and council approval the town manager has requested assistance from congressmen Wittman’s office for our beach erosion planning so I’m hoping that will add to our successes.  

There was also a discussion about the menhaden overfishing and council seemed to agree that would be something better addressed separately versus in the legislative priorities.

Closed Meeting

Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A. 7.) for the purpose of consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation, where such consultation or briefing in open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of the Town Council.

Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A. 8.) for the purpose of consultation with legal counsel retained by the Town Council regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel.

Councilman David Williams

Please email or call with questions or comments:

dwilliams@colonialbeachva.gov

540-604-4335