Haysi council hears updates on housing-site search, trail mapping and volunteer fire department status

Council members used the March 4 meeting to update the public on several community matters, including housing-site scouting with county officials, trail mapping work tied to former mining sites, flood recovery efforts and a reported equipment issue at the volunteer fire department.

Mayor Larry D. Yates said that on Feb. 10 he, County Administrator Larry Barton, Sandlick District Supervisor Richard Thacker and Willis District Supervisor Chris Hall "looked for future potential housing sites" and the town will work with the county on potential housing projects. The Dickenson County Vetting Committee is meeting about the old Haysi High School property and will continue discussion next week.

Council Member William "Billy" Counts told the council he had met with the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy on Feb. 26 and that they had "located eighteen potential sites consisting of thirteen portals and five gob piles" to be mapped for possible trail development; he said they will work with Matthew Powers to develop a trail. The mayor noted that town staff and volunteers — including the clerk and local health providers — supported flood relief and provided tetanus shots.

Mayor Yates also reported damage to the volunteer fire department’s main engine and said he planned to meet with Captain Phillip Cook; the department had expressed interest in separating from the town and operating under its own federal identification number. Council Member Tim Wallace asked why; Mayor Yates said it appeared related to town oversight. The council agreed to return the fire-department discussion to the April agenda.