Contact Information:
Percy Ashcraft, County Administrator                pashcraft@co.caroline.va.us                    (804) 633-3499

This message is the 10th in 2010 to better update our citizens and visitors to the website. The information serves as a status report for ongoing projects, and also serves as a preview to different happenings that are in the planning stages.

County government offices will be closed Monday, October 11 in observance of the Columbus Day holiday. Offices will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 12.

The Board of Supervisors will hold its only meeting this month at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 12 at the Community Services Center. A joint worksession with the School Board will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, October 4 at the Community Services Center.

Trick-or-treat activities will be observed in Caroline County from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, October 31. Young children should be in the company of an adult and motorists are urged to use extreme caution.

The State Fair of Virginia will continue to be held through Sunday, October 3 at Meadow Event Park.

The annual Harvest Festival in Bowling Green will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 16. The Board of Supervisors is a co-sponsor of the event.

The annual Frog Level Festival and Parade will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 30. The Board of Supervisors is a co-sponsor of the event.

The Caroline County Agricultural Fair Association will sponsor its Second Annual Fall Fun Festival on Saturday, October 30 from 3-6 p.m. at the County Fairground. This will be followed by a Tail Gate Trick-or-Treat from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

VDOT will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, October 5 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Community Services Center on its plans for a bridge replacement on Route 207 westbound over CSC Railroad. The project requires right of way and easement discussions which may involve interested property owners.

The movie about Triple-Crown racehorse Secretariat will open in theatres across the country on October 8. The Board of Supervisors has been invited to attend a special premiere of the movie on Thursday, October 7 at the Bow Tie Cinema in Richmond.

Caroline County will observe Fire Prevention Week October 3-9. Several public awareness activities will be coordinated through the Department of Fire and Rescue including a special program for third graders in Caroline public schools.

A public hearing will be held at 7:30 p.m. as part of the October 12 Board of Supervisors meeting on the financing of two utility projects – water extension to Caroline Pines and the expansion of the wastewater treatment plan. Resolutions will also be considered on approving the two projects as well as construction of a new branch library in Dawn.

The Parks and Recreation Department will host a Special Olympics Soccer Tournament on Saturday, October 9 at 9 a.m. at Caroline County Park.

The Youth Task Force will hold its next meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday, October 28 at the Community Services Center.

The Board of Supervisors is invited to attend a reception hosted by the Rappahannock Community Services Board at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 21.

Applications are being accepted for the position of Director of Public Utilities following the resignation of John Boryschuk in September.

The Board of Supervisors will host a meeting of the alumni of the Business Roundtable at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 26 at the Visitor Center.

Caroline County employees will participate in a Day of Caring on Thursday, October 14. Employees will assist with various projects throughout the County.

All county residents are encouraged to register for the Caroline Alert System. The system will notify residents of emergencies and other government news through their cell phones and desktop computers. This is a free service offered by the Board of Supervisors. Click on www.CarolineAlert.com to register.

Here is a capsule glance of other activities that will be happening in County government during the month of October:

• The Parks and Recreation Department will be holding games for its soccer and football programs this month and registering for its winter basketball league. Contact the office at (804) 633-7277 for information on these programs and other offerings.



• County staff and consultants continue to work on a proposal that will allow the County to withdraw water from the Rappahannock River in the future. The Department of Environmental Quality must grant its approval before water can be withdrawn.



• VDOT representatives are still reviewing the application for the Port Royal Visitor’s Center and bid documents will be reviewed this month to pursue construction.



• The Caroline County Museum Committee will have a “soft” opening to its new facility in the Caroline County Courthouse during the Harvest Festival in Bowling Green. A Grand Opening is scheduled for April, 2011.



• The Board of Supervisors at its October 12 meeting will continue discussions on possible uses for the Cannery building.



• The Board of Supervisors at its October 12 meeting will receive an update from Comcast representative Marie Schuler.



• Representatives from Blue Ridge Appraisal will update the Board of Supervisors at its October 12 meeting on the ongoing appraisal of real estate.



• Staff from the Public School Division and Caroline County government will continue its work on the establishment of a Central Accounting System.



• The Board of Supervisors has deferred action on the construction of Victory Park in Bowling Green until the November 16 meeting.