Clifton council authorizes CCTV inspection and raises easement fund for streetscape design

The Clifton Town Council authorized a closed‑circuit television inspection of the storm sewer on Main Street and approved increasing funds for easement acquisition at its Oct. 2, 2018 meeting at the Clifton Town Meeting Hall.

Councilmember Regan McDonald told the council the streetscape 60% design is advancing and that consultant J2E recommended a CCTV camera inspection of the storm sewer beginning at Chapel Street to assess pipe condition; the inspection cost was estimated at approximately $250 per hour and would count as an in‑kind match for Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) reimbursements. Councilmember McDonald moved to authorize the Streetscape Committee to procure the CCTV service; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote (Hinderstein, McDonald, Hollaway, Effros, Poe: Aye).

McDonald also moved to increase the previously approved easement acquisition authorization from $5,000 to up to $10,000 to finish negotiations with property owners; that motion likewise passed on a roll‑call vote with all members voting Aye. The additional funds are intended to cover remaining costs for property easements needed to complete final design work.

The council recorded that coordination on utility assessment and design is ongoing; McDonald said she is coordinating with Jim Chesley and plans a walking site review with NOVEC to evaluate potential utility work. The committee will proceed to procure CCTV services and continue easement negotiations; the council did not set a separate timeline for the inspection or for final design completion.

The actions are procedural steps toward completing the streetscape plan and securing VDOT funding, and they do not by themselves authorize construction work.