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The Fredericksburg Fire Department has acquired a new tow vehicle with federal grant funds.
Highlights of major activities and other notable developments:
Neighborhood Small Area Plans Meetings
Planning Staff will hold neighborhood meetings to present the final findings and recommendations of Streetsense consultants on the first two Small Area Plans. The meetings will be held on Tuesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Dorothy Hart Community Center for Area 6 which includes Route 1/Fall Hill Ave and Princess Anne Street corridors and adjacent residential neighborhoods. Wednesday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Idlewild Clubhouse for Area 3, which is the Route 3 corridor between I-95 and Westwood Drive and adjacent neighborhoods. All are invited and encouraged to attend.
Elderly and Disabled Tax Relief Applications Due by May 1
To be eligible for tax relief, a taxpayer must meet the following qualifications: the home must be the sole dwelling of the owner, the applicant must be age 65 or older by June 30 or totally disabled, income from all sources must not exceed $50,000, and the total net worth (husband and wife) and cannot exceed $200,000. Additional qualifications may apply. All applicants must fill out a Tax Relief Form. For more information or further assistance, please contact the Real Estate Department at (540) 372-1207.
Police Department Hosts Safety Class for Convenience Store Owners/Employees
On Thursday, March 23, the Fredericksburg Police Department hosted a safety class for convenience store owners and their employees. The PowerPoint and lecture will be available in a digital format and distributed to stores who were not able to send a representative.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
The Fredericksburg Social Services Department is recognizing the month with various activities. Pinwheels for Prevention is a nationwide public awareness campaign that puts a new spin on prevention. Additionally, in support of the commitment to keep kids safe, Friday, April 7 is Pledge to Wear Blue day. Why Blue? In the spring of 1989, a grandmother from Virginia began the blue ribbon campaign as a tribute to her grandson, a three-year old who died at the hands of his mother’s abusive boyfriend. Since that time, concerned citizens all over the country have worn blue as a symbol of the need to prevent child abuse and neglect. See online attachment.
New Fire Department Tow Vehicle Now in Use
A new vehicle has been accepted into the fire department fleet for primary use in HAZMAT operations. A Freightliner tow vehicle has been outfitted with electronics and a communications system and has already been used on emergency calls, most recently on a call to Westmoreland County. Paid for from federal grant funds, the truck will mainly tow the 40-foot HAZMAT trailer to local, regional and statewide calls although it has the capacity to be used for other tow needs.
Fire Stations Undergoing Improvements
New LED lighting fixtures have been installed in the truck bay area at Fire Station 1, improving energy efficiency and lighting in the space. In addition, a project through the Public Facilities division is now underway at Fire Station 2 on Altoona Drive to renovate staff space. Work includes enlarging the kitchen area and making it more efficient. Soon improvements will be made at Fire Station 1 to better accommodate staff needs.
Vote for Meet Me at the Park
The Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation and Events Department is asking everyone to vote in the National Recreation Parks Association’s Meet Me at the Park Competition for a grant valued at $20,000 to enhance one of our current parks. The City of Fredericksburg has 21 green spaces, many of which we know are your favorites. Whether you are a fan of Old Mill Park, Alum Springs Park, Motts Run Reservoir, our parks needs your vote. The current round of voting goes through Sunday, April 30, and you are allowed to vote once a day. It only takes a moment and we would appreciate your
vote. https://www.meetmeatthepark.org/ This is a great opportunity for Fredericksburg to be ranked among other wonderful green spaces in Virginia. Feel free to share this on social media and invite your family and friends to vote too! We appreciate your help.
Arbor Day Celebration
The City and the Fredericksburg Area Council of Garden Clubs invites the public to attend the annual Arbor Day celebration to be held on Wednesday, April 19, on the Lawn at Kenmore, 1201 Washington Avenue. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., and anticipated keynote speakers include Barbara White, Urban Forestry Coordinator, Virginia Department of Forestry, and Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw.
This year’s event will celebrate Miss Margery E. Arnold for her contributions to the Fredericksburg Community and for her efforts to help preserve Crow’s Nest from development and her
support of environmental education for the children of Fredericksburg, and will include the planting of a ceremonial tree in her honor. This year the City will be celebrating its 31st year as a Tree City USA, as designated by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Mr. Tom Snoddy with the Virginia Department of Forestry will be presenting a memorial flag to the City in honor of the event. The public is encouraged to attend.
Little Library
The Parks, Recreation and Events Department recently installed a “Little Library” near the playground at Memorial Park. The Little Library was a joint project with the Fredericksburg Area Service
League. This year, FASL is focusing on our Books in Hand Program, with a goal to put as many books as possible in the hands of children, especially those in the greatest need. Parks Recreation and Events installed the library that the FASL constructed and will maintain it.
Dog Easter Hunt
The 5th Annual Dog Easter Hunt at Memorial Park was held Saturday, April 8, at Memorial Park. For just $5 for up to two dogs, our four legged friends enjoyed an egg hunt with special treats designed just for them! There was also a costume contest. Proceeds from this family favorite event benefitted the Fredericksburg SPCA.
Earth Day
Parks, Recreation and Events staff are busy making plans for this year’s Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 22. This free event is held from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Old Mill Park, and is full of hands on, earth friendly activities, music, and food. The 15 member Earth Day Planning Committee has been working for the last six months on this event, which will have over 90 activities for participants to
enjoy. There will be free shuttles from the Sophia Street parking garage, and attendees are encouraged to walk to the event using the Heritage Trail. More information can be found on the website
at www.EarthDayFred.com
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City Manager’s Update 03/22/17
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