COUNCIL CORNER
Technology Improvements Include Cellular Service, Online
Bill Payment
By JOHN BARKLEY
Town Administrator
The Round Hill town staff and town council are happy to announce a
couple of technology improvements that will, hopefully, make life in
Round Hill a little easier.
First, if you've noticed your cell coverage has suddenly improved,
you're not imagining it.
Verizon Wireless has activated the cellular equipment on the Round
Hill water tank. Round Hill customers should experience better
coverage in their homes and businesses, and when traveling in the
area.
Additionally, there is approved space on the tank to house three
additional cellular service carriers, so look for other carriers
such as T-Mobile to install equipment and improve their service in
the future.
Second, as part of an ongoing effort to utilize the latest
technology to offer town services in a more customer-friendly way,
town staff members are working with PNC Bank to develop an automated
payment system.
This system will enable customers to make timely, reliable payments
in a secure, online environment.
The Town intends to offer this online payment option for real estate
tax, personal property tax and utility payment.
The new system will allow customers to access their account
information at their convenience via the Town web site.
Look for the automated payment option to be available before the end
of the year.
Regarding water and sewer payments, the Town has implemented a few
changes to the notification procedures for delinquent water and
sewer customers, specifically pertaining to mailings and red door
hangers.
Water bills will still be due and payable within 30 days from the
date of billing, and late charges will still be assessed if not paid
within 35 days of the original billing date.
Customers who are delinquent beyond the 35-day interval will no
longer have a red door hanger placed on their door by the Town
utility crew. Instead, they will be mailed a reminder notice and an
attempt will be made by the Town staff to contact them by telephone.
At 50 days, if the bill is still delinquent, they will have their
water service disconnected, with a notice posted on their door at
the time of disconnect.
Any charges normally assessed for the acts of discontinuing or
starting water service shall also be charged.
Bills not promptly paid may be referred to an attorney for
collection, for which attorney’s fees and costs may be collected as
part of the bill.
If you have questions or comments, please contact the Town Office at
(540) 338-7878.
|
Property Owners Seek Citizen Input on Development Plan
By BECKHAM DICKERSON
News aRound the Hill
Powers and Carolyn Thomas and Michael Hummel, representing Round
Hill West, LLC, are seeking public comments and suggestions
concerning a concept developed by a local planner for their land
lying between the Town of Round Hill and the INOVA hospital/proposed
sheriff-substation parcel.
It is hoped that citizen input will guide this proposal to become a
welcome contribution and compatible neighborhood to the west of the
Town, buffering the Town from the proposed sheriff’s substation.
There are several options under which these 25 acres could develop
in the future. One option is development in the county under County
zoning and control, with minimal Town input. Another option is
development under the Town R-2 zone (assuming Town boundary line
adjustment), which has been planned for review.
The owners’ preferred development option has been prepared so that
the Town and its citizens may provide direct and active input on it.
This input is being solicited to help create a development with a
Town “feel” that will allow it to be a welcome and integral part of
the Town.
This can only be done if local residents are a part of and support
what is being proposed. The venue for input will be a “charette”
process, a series of working meetings of interested persons.
At the charette, participants will be provided with concept plans
and asked to comment and advise the landowners in their efforts to
make this development a welcome addition to the Town of Round Hill.
While this is not a formal Town meeting, the initial charette
meeting will take place at the Town Office on Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. Any
additional charettes will be scheduled at this meeting as agreed by
the participants.
(Beckham Dickerson is the planner working with the property
owners on the development of these parcels.) |
