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Clifton Council approves $4,000 contract to clear easement leading to 8‑acre park
Summary
At a special Aug. 29 meeting held electronically, the Clifton Town Council unanimously approved a $4,000 contract with Stokes Tree Solutions to clear and re‑shape the Town easement to the 8‑acre park after residents raised concerns that the berm and vehicle turning were causing potholing and could worsen creek flooding.
Mayor Bill Hollaway presided over a special Clifton Town Council meeting on Aug. 29, 2022, at which the council approved a $4,000 expenditure for routine maintenance of the town easement leading to the 8‑acre park.
Resident Chuck Rusnak of Chapel Street told the council that “the existing gravel berm arrests intermittent flooding from the creek” and that “Fairfax County pump & haul trucks use the Town’s access easement as they are turning around, which causes potholing when the ground is wet.” Resident Amy Luyster of Chapel Street said she supported the planned maintenance and added, “I would charge a fee if there was use of her land outside of the easement for either Clifton Haunted Trail or Clifton Day, which would be donated to charity.”
Mayor Hollaway said the contractor would be instructed to re‑shape and relocate the berm so it “does not encourage flooding from the creek” while improving access and sightlines to the trailhead. Councilmember Patrick Pline asked whether the proposal needed review under Chesapeake Bay preservation requirements; council members said public pathways are exempt under Town Code and that the chair of the Planning Commission and the Town Engineer had been consulted and raised no concerns.
Hollaway moved to approve the expenditure “in the amount of $4,000 for Stokes Tree Service to provide routine maintenance to the Town Easement to 8Acre park as proposed, with the explicit understanding that the existing berm will be re‑shaped and relocated instead of removed.” The motion was seconded by Councilmember Darrell Poe and approved by roll‑call: Hollaway — Aye; McDonald — Aye; Effros — Aye; Poe — Aye; Pline — Aye; Screen — Aye (6‑0).
The council packet included an estimate from Thomas M. Stokes dba Stokes Tree Solutions (Estimate #1756, dated 08/15/2022) describing the scope: clean the left corner of the easement, remove debris and invasive plants, haul debris, remove unwanted trees, grind stumps, and grade mounds to make the area level. The contractor’s total was $4,000, with payment due upon completion of the work.
Councilmember Poe moved to adjourn after the vote; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Effros and approved by poll, 6‑0. No further action was recorded.
