Urbanna council adopts new water disconnect policy, approves sidewalk repair and street signs

Urbanna — The Urbanna Town Council on Oct. 10 adopted a water-disconnect policy and approved several routine contracts and administrative actions.

The council voted to adopt a staff-drafted disconnect policy that codifies state-mandated notice and timing for utility shutoffs and sets a public-education period before collection begins. Town staff said the policy follows state law requirements: repayment actions cannot be sought until accounts are at least 60 days past due, a written notice must be provided at least 10 days before disconnection, and disconnections cannot occur on Fridays, the day before a holiday or when temperatures exceed specified limits. Council members directed staff to begin public notice and education now and to start targeted collection notifications in January 2025.

Town Administrator Ted Costin (staff) told council members they had revised application documents to separate tenant and property-owner forms; the new tenant form includes an optional owner-notification authorization so staff can inform property owners when tenants fall into arrears. Costin said some previously imposed liens are under review and that staff expects to remove improperly applied liens where necessary.

“We are trying to work within the statute and get to where we want to get to,” Costin said, describing the timeline for outreach and the start of collection efforts in January.

Council also approved an addition to the sidewalk-repair contract with Jack Crete of Virginia to include a Virginia Street phase for an extra $5,998. Town staff said the work can be completed in three days and would occur before the Oyster Festival; funding was available from prior-year budget carryover.

On street signage, staff presented three mounting and style options to align town signs with the county’s 911 standard. The council directed the town administrator to tell the county to implement option C — the new sign faces suspended from the town’s historic bracket-style posts — noting there is no local fiscal impact because the county will provide and mount the signs.

The council also accepted a formal resignation letter from Town Clerk Martha J. Rodenberg, effective Dec. 1, 2024. Council members expressed appreciation for Rodenberg’s service; the motion to accept the resignation passed with a majority vote.

Votes at a glance - Sidewalk repair contract (Jack Crete of Virginia), additional $5,998: Passed (roll-call affirmative). - Street sign option C (advise county to use bracket-hung signs): Passed (directed staff). - Disconnect policy (start public notice now; collections begin January 2025): Passed (roll-call affirmative). - Acceptance of town clerk Martha J. Rodenberg’s resignation (effective 12/01/2024): Passed (majority vote; at least one member voted no).

Why it matters The disconnect policy changes how the town resumes collections after pandemic-related pauses, balancing statutory consumer protections with the town’s need to recover unpaid utility revenue. The sidewalk and signage approvals are scheduled to be completed before the Oyster Festival, reflecting the council’s short-term operational priorities. The clerk’s pending departure sets a personnel transition for town administration.

What’s next Staff will begin public education about the disconnect policy and will implement collection notifications in January 2025. The town administrator will execute the sidewalk contract amendment with Jack Crete, and the town will notify the county to proceed with the selected sign option. The council will address the town clerk vacancy in a future meeting.

Quotes Town Administrator Ted Costin: “We are trying to work within the statute and get to where we want to get to.”

Treasurer (on USDA account): “As of Aug. 30 there was $76,977.56 in that account.”

Ending The council moved into a closed session after the regular agenda items; members exchanged brief thanks before recessing. The closed meeting was called for the reasons listed on the agenda and the council voted to convene it.