Occoquan officials plan to hold a scheduled town hall meeting tonight, Tuesday, March 17, according to a statement from town mayor Earnie Porta.
Seating inside the town hall will be limited. The town does not provide a streaming option for residents to listen to and/or watch the meeting in real-time.
The meeting will move ahead after both President Donald Trump and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam have banned public gatherings of 1o or more people.
Porta penned this about the upcoming meeting in an email to constituents:
The Town Council plans to proceed with its scheduled meeting this evening. Public seating will be limited, and chairs for both council members and the public will be separated by the recommended distance. Relevant surfaces will be sanitized.
The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside town hall, located at 314 Mill Street.
On another note, Porta says he’s heard from many of the small business owners in the town who are seeking economic relief from the impacts of the Chinese coronavirus. Some of those businesses have already closed.
Porta pens in an email:
A number of business owners have contacted me requesting information on potential federal, state, and county loan or tax deferral programs available to assist small businesses during this time. I have been in touch either directly with our elected representatives at all three levels, or their offices and they are all working to secure assistance or implement relief policies through the relevant agencies. While the federal government is working on providing such aid through the Small Business Administration (SBA’s COVID-19 website), Virginia is not yet one of the eligible areas.
[Prince William County] Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny A. Boddye has a page on his website dedicated to updates and resources on COVID-19 where he plans to post information on business relief when such information becomes available.
Dominion Virginia Power, PWCSA, and Washington Gas have all suspended disconnection actions during this period. At the Town level I have asked the Town Attorney to investigate whether or not the Town has the authority to defer BPOL tax payments (currently due May 1) and will be raising this issue with the Town Council.
For employees, the Commonwealth of Virginia has waived the normal waiting period for those seeking to file unemployment claims. This is available to individuals who have been laid off or have had their hours reduced as a result of COVID-19. Information on this is available online.
As of today, Porta says the town is working to reserve parking for businesses and restaurants that choose to remain open. Those businesses include Third Base, Grind N Crepe, Bar J Chili, Bann Thai, and the Spot. Others like Madigan’s, the Secret Garden Cafe, the Tap Room, the Virginia Grill.
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The Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) announced that all its locations will remain closed today, Tuesday, January 7, 2025, citing “continued dangerous road conditions.”
This decision comes after the library had initially planned to open at 1 p.m. on Tuesday following a delayed start due to inclement weather. The announcement was first made on Monday, January 6, in response to winter storms that have left roads icy and treacherous throughout the region.
Residents are encouraged to check CRRL’s website and social media channels for updates regarding reopening plans. Library services, including online resources and virtual assistance, remain available for those looking to access books, learning tools, or other materials remotely.
Stafford County’s Board of Supervisors will hold its next meeting Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 5 p.m. The meeting will be streamed live, and the agenda will be posted online.
Supervisor Monica Gary, Aquia District, confirmed the meeting is still being held despite the county government and schools closing for weather conditions.
Tonight’s meeting is primarily organizational, with the board set to elect a new chairman and vice-chairman. They will also review their proposed meeting schedule for the new year, and consider appointments to a number of committees and boards.
Stafford’s Board of Supervisors is comprised of seven elected representatives, who each represent a district in the county.
Meg Bohmke, the 2024 chair of the board, represents the Falmouth District. She moved from the county School Board to Board of Supervisors in 2014; her current term ends December 2025.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors has approved an additional $472,000 in federal funding to advance the Ellicott Street Sidewalk Project, a critical initiative to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility in Occoquan. The funding comes through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, bringing the project closer to completion.
The project, which has evolved since its inception, will construct 675 feet of sidewalk along Ellicott Street, connecting Mill Street to Poplar Alley and extending toward Union Street. It also includes Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps and crossings to address accessibility concerns. The initiative aims to create a safer, more pedestrian-friendly connection between the town’s historic and business districts and the planned Occoquan Greenway trail.
“The Ellicott Street Sidewalk Project is one of several pedestrian improvement efforts we’ve pursued over the years,” said Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta. “This specific project will create a safer, more contiguous connection to Mill Street and the town’s historic and business district.”
All Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) locations are scheduled to open at 1 p.m on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. This delayed opening is due to ongoing impacts from Winter Storm Blair. Library officials advise that opening times may be adjusted further if weather or road conditions worsen.
The CRRL serves residents in Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Westmoreland counties, offering various services beyond traditional book lending. The library system provides access to technology, community events, educational programs, and resources like homework help, job search tools, and genealogical research. Its facilities include multiple branches, mobile libraries, and digital collections that can be accessed online.
Patrons are encouraged to check the library’s website or social media channels for the most up-to-date information on hours and services.
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