The Amherst County Board of Supervisors voted on Dec. 2 to accept the monument committee’s recommendation for an interpretive sign near the courthouse monument and to fund the sign up to $5,500 from county funds, with location details and final placement to be coordinated by the county administrator.

Committee work and public input
The monument committee met biweekly, consulted historians, visited other counties’ interpretive displays and consulted the Department of Historic Resources (DHR). Committee members said DHR described the proposed language and design as "excellent" and potentially a model for other localities. Committee members Brooke Vanderveld and Jackie Bibby told the board they had not been informed that funding would be privately raised and said the committee had expected county support to complete the project.

Board discussion and vote
Following discussion about appropriate placement (a grassy area to the courthouse’s right was suggested), concerns over where the sign should sit, and whether private donors should fund the project, Supervisor Tom Martin moved to accept the committee’s recommendation and to fund the sign up to $5,500. The motion passed after debate; the board directed staff to ensure the sign meets town zoning requirements and to finalize placement in the identified grassy area.

What’s next
Staff will work with the committee to finalize location and confirm zoning and installation requirements and costs. The board’s vote authorizes up to $5,500 in county funding for the plaque and related site work.

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Speakers quoted (first reference with role): Brooke Vanderveld (Monument Committee member); Jackie Bibby (Monument Committee member); Tom Martin (Supervisor).