Council Chatter

TOWN OF GROTTOES
May 2015
Council Chatter
Mayor’s Corner
Welcome to another busy
spring in Grottoes! It has
already been a busy year
in Town and we are preparing for many events
this summer.
Inside this issue:
Manager’s Message
2
Library News
2
From the Chief’s
Desk...
3
Grottoes Volunteer
Fire Department
3
Grand Caverns Park
Events
4
Grottoes Cardinals
Information
5
Please note a few events
taking place this spring.
The community yard sale
will be on May 9th. The
pool at Grand Caverns
will open on Memorial
Day weekend. You can
book a pool party or get a
pool pass at the Stone
Lodge. Also the Summer
Market at Grand Caverns
will start on May 16th. Lil
Sis will be there again this
year for all your canned
and baked goods needs.
It’s also never too early to
start planning for our Harvest Festival which will be
held on September 19th.
Vendor spaces are available. Please contact the
Town Office at 249-5896 for
additional information.
As I’ve stated, this has been
a very busy year for the
Town, but not only with
events. We have a lot of
projects going on around
the Town and many more
planned to begin this summer.
As always, if you have any
questions, or need to contact me, please call the
Town Office at 249-5896
and leave a message and
I will be glad to return
your call.
Berton Austin
Mayor
NOTICE
Grottoes Residents
The Town Office will be closed
from Tuesday, June 16th—
Thursday, June 18th for a system upgrade and employee
training. Payments may be
placed in the drop box. Call
249-5896 if immediate assistance is needed.
Mark Your Calendars 6
Grottoes Town
Officials
6
When Mailing Water Bills
When mailing in your
water bill please make
sure you send it to
P.O. Box 146
Grottoes VA 24441
If you use the physical
address it may be returned to you and your
payment may be
late posting to
your account.
You may want to
mail your payment
in earlier due to some
delays we have been
experiencing in
the postal
service.
Manager’s Message
The Town is currently finalizing the Fiscal Year 2016 operating
budget. The public hearing on next
year’s budget will be held before
the next regular Town Council meeting on May 11, 2015. The Waste Water Treatment Plant improvement
project is nearing completion with
the contractor now working on final
punch list items. This state mandated
project was necessary to lower the
amount of phosphorus the Town discharges into the South River. It also
included several safety and operational upgrades to the 30 year old
treatment plant. The Town will begin
making payments on the 2 million
dollar loan in August of this year.
Town Staff has installed the
latest station at the Fitness Trail
around Grand Caverns Park. This is
a handicap accessible multi-station
unit and was
totally funded
by proceeds
from the Grand
Caverns 5K
Races. A special thanks to
Smith Paving
who donated
the paving around this station.
There are many Town
events coming up this spring including the Grand Caverns Campout and Pool Party, a complete list
of events and times can be found
on our events brochure that is
available at Town Hall. The next
family movie night at Mountain
View Park will be on June 5. The
movie is free to the public and
concessions will be available from
KBs Concessions, so arrive early for
something to eat and plan to stay
for the movie. The movie will be
“Annie” and it will begin at dusk.
Opening night for the Grottoes Cardinals will be on May 23 at 7:30pm.
The games are played on Shifflett
Field at Mountain View Park. A
complete schedule of the Cardinal’s home games is included in the
newsletter, please plan to come out
and cheer on the home team as they
compete in the Rockingham County
Baseball League.
As always, if you have any
concerns give me a call at 249-5896
or drop by Town Hall anytime during office hours.
Jeff Nicely
Town Manager
Library News M-F 1-6 pm 540-434-4475 option 3 www.mrlib.org
Spring has been full of a variety of activities: poetry
month with Poem in Your Pocket Day, preschool &
Kindergarten field trips, and Snapshot VA.
Spring also brought field trips—preschool & kindergarten—as local children visited the library. It’s especially
gratifying to see these same children come back to the
library with mom or dad or grandparent because they
just weren’t done being here.
Snapshot VA day was April 23rd and showcased the variety of ways community libraries are used. This was also
Poem in Your Pocket Day, where all who visited the
library could select a poem from a basket, to take with
them.
During Poetry Month, there were pavement poems
on the sidewalk outside the library. They could
each be viewed for about a day, until the next rain
storm came along and washed them away!
Here is one.
2015 Summer Reading registration for kids up to 17 begins on June 1st. Reading in the summer can be relaxing
and fun. In June & July there is also something fun happening in the Community Room every Thursday afternoon: Crafty Kids or Lego Club or family theatre programs.
This year we may be trying an adult summer reading
program also. Check back later for more information on
this.
Cheryl Keeler
Grottoes Branch Manager
From the Chief’s Desk…
Summer is coming and temperatures are rising.
Outside foot traffic
will increase so
please be vigilant
and secure your
house and vehicles
from crimes of opportunity. Keeping
your shrubbery
trimmed and installing outside lighting maximizes
residential security.
With temperatures rising, please
remember your outdoor pets.
You are responsible to keep your
pet safe from the elements. If
your pet lives outdoors, please
make sure that they have adequate shelter, water, and food.
We receive numerous complaints
every year regarding animal welfare. Remember that our pets
rely on us to keep them safe.
Chief Charlie’s Kids Fish Day was
on May 2, 2015. We would like to
thank everyone that helped with
the event. We couldn’t have done
it without you. We look forward to
working with everyone again next
year.
J. E. Painter
Chief of Police
Grottoes Volunteer Fire Department
Curbside Brush Pick-up
Curbside Brush Pick-up Starts Monday, May 11th.
Please place tree limbs and brush along the side
of the road in amounts that can be handled by one
person. Only items originating off of the land will
be picked up. The Town crew will pass each residence once. If you have any questions please contact the Town Office at 249-5896.
Reminder…
Business License
Due By July 1, 2015
Grand Caverns Park Events
We have had a busy spring so far! The Easter Egg Hunt was fabulous and we saw lots of local folks enjoying the beautiful
spring day. There were 2,500 eggs found in a very short period of time. Pony rides, as well as fire and rescue vehicles
were also available for children to explore and enjoy! Of course the Easter Bunny made an appearance as well! Thanks to
everyone for making our second egg hunt successful. Also thanks to members of the Grottoes Ruritan Club and Grand
Caverns staff for helping hide and collect the eggs. Without these volunteers we could not have had such a successful
event.
Easter weekend is also the weekend that the VAR caving group comes out to help us in various projects. They help year
round, but on Easter they give more than we could hope for. We had over 20 volunteers on Saturday. This group carried
and raked gravel in Grand Caverns, cleaned algae growth, and did some much needed painting at the Cave entrance
building. Thanks again VAR!
Shelter Reservations
Our shelters are great places to have family reunions, picnics, birthday parties, etc. Shelters
do have grills. Grand Caverns shelters have water and electricity available at each shelter. For
Mt. View rentals, you need to ask to have the electricity turned on for your events. Please give
us a call at 540-249-5705 if you would like to reserve a shelter at either park. Payment is due at
time of reservation. If you have not paid, then you do not have the shelter and a sign will not be
put up. Refunds are not available for weather related cancellations.
Family Movie and Campout
Come join us on May 15th-16th for a fun night of camping and a movie under the stars! Pack your
campers, tents and sleeping bags for a night out at the beautiful Grand Caverns Park! The campout
includes a hotdog dinner, crafts, games, a movie under the stars, s’mores, and a campfire. Our Police
Department will be here to pass out ID kits for the children. Check in begins at 4:00pm with a cost of
$10 per family (limited to 6 people for each campsite/family). Pre-registration is required for camping and dinner. Deadline to register was May 5th. If you missed the deadline you can still come by
Grand Caverns to register. WE MUST have a headcount and payment by May 10 for the dinner and
activities. If you are only coming for the movie at 9, then you do not need to register. This is a new
event that you will not want to miss!
Pool Info
The Waynesboro YMCA is managing our pool again this year. They will be offering swim
lessons as well as implementing a satellite swim team. For swim team info or if you would
like to meet the YMCA staff, please come to Grand Caverns on May 13 at 6pm. If you have
questions about this program please call Kendra at the YMCA 540-943-9622 ext. 206.This is
a YMCA sponsored team and she will be happy to answer your questions.
Pool hours for the season are 12-7pm, beginning May 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, June 1-August 16, August 22, 23, 29, 30 and Sept 5,
6, & 7, 2015. Season pool passes are available at Grand Caverns Stone Lodge. You must bring proof of Town residency if
you wish to receive a town resident discount for season passes.
We will be having a pool party on June 6 from noon-7pm. Admission will be free. Please come and enjoy your local pool
and see what we have to offer. This party will also include the swim team kick-off party from Noon-3pm.
We would like to thank everyone for the support that we have gotten. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please let us
know!
Lettie Stickley
Parks and Recreation Specialist
Grottoes Cardinals Baseball
Cardinals Home Schedule
Date
Time
Home
Away
Site
Sat, May 23
7:30 PM
Cardinals vs Bridgewater Shifflett Field Tue, May 26
7:30 PM
Thu, Jun 4
7:30 PM
Cardinals Cardinals Cardinals Cardinals Cardinals Cardinals Cardinals Cardinals Cardinals Cardinals Cardinals Cardinals vs Broadway vs Elkton vs Broadway vs Montezuma vs New Market vs Luray vs Stuarts Draft vs Stuarts Draft vs New Market vs Elkton vs Clover Hill vs Montezuma Shifflett Field Shifflett Field Shifflett Field Shifflett Field Shifflett Field Shifflett Field Shifflett Field Shifflett Field Shifflett Field Shifflett Field Shifflett Field Shifflett Field Sat, Jun 6
7:30 PM
Fri, Jun 12
7:30 PM
Tue, Jun 16
7:30 PM
Sat, Jun 20
7:30 PM
Mon, Jun 29
7:30 PM
Fri, Jul 10
7:30 PM
Sat, Jul 11
7:30 PM
Tue, Jul 14
7:30 PM
Sat, Jul 18
7:30 PM
Sun, Jul 19
7:30 PM
Admission Prices
Regular Admission - $4.00
Seniors & Under 12 - $2.00
Season Tickets - $36.00
(available at The Batting Cave, Weaver’s Karate and Keith’s Auto)
GCLL registered players in 2015 jerseys get in free when accompanied by an adult.
Roster and Staff
Pitchers
#8
Noah Brown, Grottoes VA
Catchers
#12 Riley Hensley, Elkton VA
#2
Isaac Dean, Elkton, VA
#24 Austin Sanchez, Waynesboro VA
#9
Jeff Early, Standardsville VA
#7
#23 Mickey Holbert, Staunton VA
#11 Brady Cockerman, Harrisonburg
#9
Jeff Early, Standardsville VA
#23 Mickey Holbert, Staunton VA
#1
Infielders
Keegan Woolford, Standardsville VA
Outfielders
#14 Thomas Powell, Standardsville VA
#3
Jonathan Sandridge, Waynesboro VA
Jack Morris, Ruckersville VA
#19 Jared Morris, Grottoes VA
#15 Bryce Wood, Mt. Sidney VA
#13 David Wood , Mt. Sidney VA
Other
Staff
#22
Corey Pyles, Waynesboro VA
#5
Kevin Saylor, Grottoes VA
#64 Matt Dean, Head Coach
#20
Josh Simmons, Grottoes VA
#65 Bob Hensley, Asst. Coach
#18
Terry Staton, Weyers Cave VA
#10 Hunter Hensley, Hitting Coach
#50
Randall Stevens
#59 Daryl Irvine, Pitching Coach
#66 Phillip Powell, Asst Coach
Jeremy Washington, General Manager
#34 Jerrick Diehl, Elkton VA
Town of Grottoes
601 Dogwood Avenue
P.O. Box 146
Grottoes, VA 24441
Phone: 540-249-5896
Fax: 540-249-5726
www.ci.grottoes.va.us
The Rockingham County Recreation Department Senior Citizens
BINGO for the Grottoes area is
held at the Grottoes Town Hall in
the community room on the
fourth Monday of each month
from 10:00 a.m. until noon.
Movie Night in the
Park
South River
Medical Clinic
Friday, June 5th
Saturday Hours
Featuring…
GRAND CAVERNS &
TOWN OF GROTTOES
Movie begins at Dusk
ERMA Food Pantry
Grottoes United Methodist
Church
located at 300 4th St.
Spring - May 9th
7:00 am - until
Saturday
Gates open at 7:00 p.m.
Come prepared with your
lawn chair, blankets. Concessions will be available by
KBs Concessions
The Clinic will have Saturday hours on the 2nd
Saturday of each month
only, 8 am-12pm.
Beginning Saturday,
May 9, 2015
540-249-5901
(corner of 4th St & Cherry Ave)
Every Monday
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
For more information call
249-5893
Grottoes Ruritan
Club Meetings
are held on the third Thursday of every month. If you
are interested in attending a
meeting or joining the club,
Call Mark Keeler 249-5988.
Brush Site Dates & Hours
Starting May 16th
8:00 am - 3:00 pm
at Grand Caverns
Vendor Space available!!!
June 6th - 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
CLOSED for Lunch!
July 4th - Closed
August 1st - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Register at Grand Caverns
540-249-5705
Lil Sis will be there for all your
canned and baked goods needs.
Ceremony
May 25th
11:00 a.m.
Grottoes
Town Hall
Light refreshments after
ceremony
Grottoes Town Officials
Town Council
Planning Commission
Board Of Zoning Appeals
Berton Austin Jr., Mayor
Stephen Morris, Chairman
Margie Mayes, Chairwoman
David Raynes
Jim Justis, Vice Chairman
Don MacDanel
Mark Sterling
Brian Robertson
Justin Neitzey
John Funk
Mark Keeler
Ellen Showers
Marjorie Funk
Jen Smith
Vacancy
Mark Keeler
Justin Neitzey
Emily Holloway
Rebecca Holloway
Town Council meets the 2nd Monday
of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall.
Planning Commission meets the last
Tuesday of the odd months at 7:00
p.m. in the Council Chambers of the
Town Hall.
BZA meets the Third Tuesday of the
month (when needed) at 7:00 p.m. in the
Council Chambers of the Town Hall.