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Charlotte County considers expanding jail
By Megan Peak/The Union Star
Tuesday, May 27, 2008 2:00 PM EDT
During last Tuesday's meeting, Sheriff Thomas Jones asked the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors if they would like for him to pursue the possibility of expanding the Charlotte County jail, an issue the board decided against in January 2006.
"Because of all changes in the law, I just need to know if the board wants to do a study and pursue the issue further because we have to involve contractors, engineers, etc," said Sheriff Jones. "We have to consider modular units or going from the ground up." It is going to cost at least ten times more now than would in January of 2006, when the board decided not to rebuild the jail. It is probably going to cost at least $1 million to build, he said.
"As far as proceeding ahead, what would be the next step?" asked board member David Guill.
Jones answered that they would have to get bids from different architects, have bidders make presentations, and determine the cost range.
"I think this board has to except the blame for the increase in cost because we are the ones who held up the project to start with," said board member Gary Walker. "I think the cost is a big issue, one of the reasons behind the earlier expansion was for more jobs but now that we know a prison is coming in Drakes Branch, there are just some things to consider."
Hamlet said that he thought the board needed to support the sheriff and continue to back him to investigate the issue.
"If he wants to do it, give him the authority to continue to go further with it," he said.
"If you don't expand, sooner or later, they are going to close it," said Jones. "If the jail closes, I don't know what we going to do; you have to find a regional jail to take you in."
"I just want to do what the county wants to do and that's why I'm here today," he said.
The board agreed for the sheriff to go ahead and get more information on expanding so that the board could have more questions answered.
In other board news:
J.D. Barkley updated the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors on VDOT's current projects.
VDOT has finished the paving and putting the new bridge in on Route 619, also know as Double Bridge Road. The shoulder and guardrail work need to be done and then the work will be completed, he said. On June 10 the department will be advertising safety improvement project near the Ford dealership.
Barkely introduced Steve Meadows, a long-term VDOT employee who used to be an inspector for the Route 1111 project and has worked on many other projects in the area including Route 654, just north of Eureka, and Route 605. Meadows is now a contractor administrator, he said.
The Route 111 will be advertised on July 22 to install a curb, gutter and sidewalk, and has been changed to include a utility strip, Barkley said.
"We have sent letters to people who live and own property on Route 675 in Phenix for a bridge to start the survey work," said Barkley.
After the April meeting, VDOT had a primary public hearing and is still reviewing the 6-year plan process. Barkley said that they are hoping to include Route 40 and begin a dedicated bridge fund just for bridges.
The department conducted the public hearing for the Route 92 bridge on April 24. Barkley said that 70 people were in attendance and they will review the summary of comments.
The old bridge, built in 1930, is 959 feet long, and has a width 23 feet with only 478 vehicles crossing a day, is classified as a rural minor collector. That means it is critical that the bridge steel trusses can fail and the bridge can go out. This is why it was closed in November, he added.
The bridge weighed 17 tons capacity and just to bring the bridge back to 17 tons is $2.6 million and only for four truss pans. In 2005, VDOT completed a review and a completed renovation would cost $4.8 million or to replace would be around $4.8 million. It would cost $1.1 million to demolish the existing structure, he said.
"What about having one-lane traffic and lower the limit from 17 tons," asked board member Haywood Hamlet.
"It has been looked at but these are good comments you could give VDOT for us to continue to look at," answered Barkley.
The board decided the have the county administrator R.B. Clark draft a letter in support of repair or replacement of the bridge to keep it running. The board added that at this time the Halifax County board has not taken action according to the bridge.
The board approve the resolution to adopt bi-laws for the Agricultural Economic Development Advisory Board.
The board approved a resolution in support for an emergency sewer project grant application to the Department of Housing and Community Development.
There will be a public hearing May 27 at 4 p.m. concerning community development for an urgent need.
The board approved coyote claims for Thomas Owen, Mark Britton, David Dolan, Ronald Minder and Garland Clark.
The board approved the treasurer's request to refund the 2007 machinery and tool tax to West Point Home Inc.
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