During the Pine Grove Town Council meeting held Aug. 8 Kristi Earley and others met with the council to present their ideas on renovating the park with the funds and man power to be donated by Dominion Transmission, Inc. in the near future. Those present before council have been involved in Park Committee planning since its inception last month and desired council’s approval to move forward with the proposed renovations. While the council eventually did grant such progress, many were met with frustration at Mayor Dave Barr’s propositions including electing himself chairman of the Park Committee; he not been involved in any of the planning thus far.

Earley began by reviewing the decisions of the Park Committee during their first meeting held July 25. Those in attendance at that initial meeting were: Roy Justice, Sue Barr, Dot Springer, Kristi Earley, Weldon Williams, John Wells, Debbie Bates, Eva Adams, Co-chairman Kim Bates, and Chairman Dave Williams.

Earley shared with council a survey that was put together through Facebook by Christine Mitchell, an interested committee member who was unable to attend the initial meeting. Mitchell utilized a Facebook application to develop a survey that was then passed along to many area residents with Facebook accounts in the effort to gauge the community’s interest in park renovations. Notably, the survey service prevents users from completing the survey more than once.

The results of that survey showed the consensus of the poll was to clean up and repair what is currently in place at the park and to put initial efforts into the bathrooms, and then into replacing the existing playground equipment.

It was discussed how to distribute a hardcopy of the survey to citizens who do not utilize the internet. But after much discussion it was decided those present would move forward with the results of the survey at that time and work toward repairing the existing facilities. Project ideas included replacing the roof on the shelter and restrooms, installing stainless steel sinks and toilets with automatic flushing, installing a drinking fountain by the restrooms, and enlarging–and possibly repositioning–the stage.

Following this meeting, however, apparently conflict arose between park committee members. Dave Williams resigned his post as chairman of the committee and it was explained to some that the next planned meeting was called off. However, many did not get that message and met as planned on Aug. 5.

Earley then shared meeting minutes from the Aug. 5 meeting with the council which included more specific plans. Those present at the Aug. 5 meeting were: Stacie Freed, Trace Freed, Shelly Coen, Lynn Adams, Megan Bucher, Weldon Williams, and Kristi Earley.

Specific projects for the picnic area include painting the picnic tables, repairing the water fountain and fire pit, installing large wooden garbage bins, staining/painting the stage, and installing lattice under the stage.

In the restrooms, they would like to install a light fixture, paint the inside and outside blocks, replace the wooden entrance sign, install soap dispensers, and install large locking toilet paper dispensers.

Also at this meeting, Weldon Williams presented an estimate from a local hardware store for replacement of the shelter and restroom roofs. Similarly, the committee took time to organize a balance sheet to present to the council. Estimated costs were applied to all of the proposed projects to detail how the possible $5,000 would be spent. However, council stated at least two more estimates are needed before they can select a supplier and approve the purchases as presented.

Most notably, those at the Aug. 5 meeting nominated Dot Springer to be the new co- chairman of the park committee. However, when Earley brought the subject up with the town council on Aug. 8, Mayor Barr dismissed Springer’s nomination by the committee and opted to elect himself as the new chairman, with council’s approval. Furthermore, Barr said the committee should be comprised of five appointed residents of the town and that each of those committee members could elect a number of sub-committee members, made up of both residents and non-residents.

Earley and others present were startled at Barr’s self-appointment and at his stiff recommendations as to the committee’s makeup. “We’ve been attending the Park Committee meetings, but now you want to elect yourself?” Earley said in disbelief. “If we have interested people willing to be on the Park Committee, let them attend,” she added. Barr defended that many organizations are made up of individuals who “do what they want to” and that such a system does not work and certainly would not be allowed as the Town of Pine Grove is putting up funding for the committee and therefore has authority over how the money is spent.

It was also noted that council had not yet agreed upon matching any funds donated by Dominion. Upon that revelation, Councilman Tom Dulaney made the formal motion for the Town of Pine Grove to fully match the funds donated by Dominion for the park committee project, that being $2,500. The motion passed and discussion continued on where the matching $2,500 would come from within the budget.

Council then discussed having some money already set aside to repair the roof on the Byrd Center. While that project is critical and costly, it was decided the Park Committee project would take priority as Dominion’s offer of funds and free labor is time sensitive. After much deliberation, the council approved to transfer $1,700 from the general fund to the parks fund. Between Dominion’s donation and the council’s matching funds, the Park Committee will have a total of $5,000 for the purpose of renovating existing facilities in the park along with free labor, also provided by Dominion.

The next meeting of the Park Committee will be Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Byrd Center. It is hoped a formal committee and sub-committee will be formed at this meeting to allow plans to continue moving forward. Park renovations are anticipated to be completed by late September.