Shenandoah council bans outdoor wood-fired furnaces, approves police vehicle purchase and routine finance measures

The Shenandoah Town Council on June 23 adopted an ordinance that prohibits the installation or operation of outdoor wood-fired furnaces within town limits and approved several routine financial measures, including a $77,000 police vehicle purchase from the town's Capital Improvement account.

The ordinance, added as Section 30-18 to Chapter 30 (Fire Prevention and Protection), defines "outdoor wood-fired furnace" (also described in the ordinance as an outdoor wood boiler or hydronic heater) and makes it unlawful to construct, install, operate or maintain such a unit in the town going forward. The text carved out an exemption for any outdoor wood-fired furnace already in existence at the time the ordinance is adopted. It establishes enforcement as a class 3 misdemeanor for violations, allows the town to order removal of a noncompliant unit after 15 days if abatement has not occurred, and makes the property owner liable for removal costs; those costs can be collected as taxes and levies or by civil proceedings and may constitute a lien against the property.

Council Member Lynn Fox made the motion to approve the ordinance; Council Member Christopher Reisinger seconded. The roll call recorded Council Members Denise Cave, Lynn Fox, Brenda Haggett and Christopher Reisinger voting yes; Mayor Clinton O. Lucas, Jr. recorded an abstention. Council Member I. Michael Lowe was absent for that specific vote. The ordinance was presented to the council by Town Manager Charlie Jenkins during the correspondence portion of the agenda.

Alongside the ordinance action, council members approved routine financial items. Council Member Brenda Haggett moved and Council Member Christopher Reisinger seconded approval of Combined Accounts Disbursement Warrants #43857–#43895 totaling $173,105.30. Council Member Lynn Fox moved and Council Member I. Michael Lowe seconded approval of the Treasurer's Report submitted by Treasurer Christl Huddle showing a balance of $2,855,336.04.

On capital spending, the council voted to purchase a replacement police vehicle estimated at $77,000 from the Capital Improvement account to avoid financing and accrued interest; the motion was made by Council Member I. Michael Lowe and seconded by Council Member Lynn Fox. Police Chief Rodney Hensley thanked the council for approving the vehicle, noting that the 2017 Explorer had developed major issues that required repairs.

Town Manager Charlie Jenkins also reported several operational and community items: town crew repaired 100 feet of water line at Shenandoah River Park; the town applied for $31,000 to fund wellhead protection fencing at Well #1 and a 10th Street water tank and received $16,600 to be used for fencing at Well #1, with plans to reapply next year for the 10th Street tank; and the museum will host a Pop-Up Art Gallery June 11–July 11 with free admission. In parks news, Chair Brenda Haggett said a 30-by-50 basketball court was installed at Big Gem Park with $8,000 in funding from PACA; the town manager said an adjustable basketball goal (about $700) is being purchased and the Big Gem gazebo will be repaired and returned to use.

Town Manager Jenkins reported the town office purchased a new computer after a malfunction and repaired a museum computer, and noted several tall-grass complaints have been addressed with property owners notified. Jenkins said he is also pursuing a change of fuel supplier due to recent fuel issues. As unfinished business, Jenkins will meet with the VFW in July regarding Veteran's pole brackets. Mayor Clinton O. Lucas, Jr. said a plaque will be presented in the future to Donnie Jewel to honor 36 years of service to the town.

The meeting opened at 7:10 p.m. and was adjourned at 7:43 p.m. after a motion by Council Member Denise Cave seconded by Council Member Lynn Fox. The roll call on adjournment mirrored earlier votes (Council Members Cave, Fox, Haggett, Lowe and Reisinger recorded yea; Mayor Lucas recorded an abstention).