More money for turf fields tops supervisors' agenda; Three apply for interim mayor post in Town of Louisa

Engage Louisa is a nonpartisan newsletter that keeps folks informed about Louisa County government. We believe our community is stronger and our government serves us better when we increase transparency, accessibility, and engagement.

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This week in county government: public meetings, November 4 through November 9

For the latest information on county meetings including public meetings of boards, commissions, authorities, work groups, and internal county committees, click here. (Note: Louisa County occasionally schedules internal committee/work group meetings after publication time. Check the county’s website for the most updated information).

Monday, November 4

Louisa County Board of Supervisors, Public Meeting Room, Louisa County Office Building, 1 Woolfolk Ave., Louisa, 6 pm. The board will convene in closed session at 5 pm. (agenda packet, livestream)

Louisa County School Board, Central Office Administration Building, 953 Davis Highway, Mineral, 7 pm. (agenda, livestream)

Other meetings/events

Tuesday, November 5

Election Day, polling places across Louisa County, 6 am to 7 pm.

Voters who didn't cast their ballots during the 45-day early voting period will head to the polls on Tuesday to vote for president and vice president, one of Virginia’s two seats in the US Senate and in the 5th District House of Representatives race. Voters in the towns of Louisa and Mineral will also fill spots on their respective town councils. Click here for sample ballots. Click here to find your polling place. Click here to learn more about the town council candidates in Louisa and Mineral.

Wednesday, November 6

Louisa Town Council, Louisa Town Hall, 212 Fredericksburg Ave., Louisa, 6 pm.

Council will hold a special meeting to appoint an interim mayor. See the article below for more information.

Additional information about Louisa County’s upcoming public meetings is available here.

Interested in taking your talents to one of the county’s numerous boards and commissions? Find out more here including which boards have vacancies and how to apply.

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BOS Preview: Supes to consider appropriating more money for turf fields

The Louisa County Board of Supervisors will convene for its first November meeting with two public hearings and a couple action and discussion items on the agenda. Check out a meeting preview below.

Supes to hold public hearing on whether to appropriate more money for turf fields

Supervisors will decide on Monday night whether to move forward with a plan to build two synthetic turf fields adjacent to Louisa County Middle School.

Proponents of the fields say they’re necessary to meet the needs of both youth and scholastic sports. But one board member has called them “luxury items.”

The board has already allocated about $3.6 million for the fields, most of it in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, but the cost of the project has far exceeded that funding, forcing supervisors to decide if they’re willing to pony up more cash. 

The board will hold a public hearing and consider whether to appropriate another $2.77 million for the project, bringing its total cost to roughly $6.33 million, about 77 percent more than originally anticipated.  

Supervisors, at their September 3 meeting, unanimously accepted a $2.499 million bid for the first phase of the fields’ construction, which includes tree clearing, installing stormwater management features, building 300 feet of retaining walls and leveling, grading and asphalting the parking lot.

That phase, called “rough grading,” came in more than $1.3 million over budget—mostly because the county had to mitigate the impact on wetlands—and prompted Deputy County Administrator Chris Coon to float the idea of scaling back the project and just building one field.

In a July 29 memo to the board, Coon said the county could save money by downsizing the project, estimating that one field would cost less than $2.8 million with rough grading coming in at about $1.49 million.

Alternatively, he said the board could move forward with the project as initially approved, but county officials would need to identify additional funding sources. 

Supervisors didn’t publicly discuss scaling back the project when okaying the rough grading contract. Jackson District Supervisor Toni Williams, a member of the board’s finance committee, said the committee had a plan in place for funding the fields and he’d provide more details when the board held a public hearing to consider allocating more money.   

At publication time, Coon hasn’t responded to requests for an updated project budget detailing how the $6.33 million would be spent or an updated cost comparison for building one field versus two.

Parks and Recreation Director James Smith initially pushed for the fields during the FY24 budget process nearly two years ago, arguing that the facilities are necessary to accommodate the growing number of participants in youth and scholastic sports. 

Smith told the planning commission in January 2023 that the county currently doesn’t have enough outdoor playing space for youth sports like football and soccer and that it doesn’t have any synthetic playing surfaces, which typically require less maintenance than grass fields and allow for play in wet conditions. 

Smith said that several youth sports leagues are forced to practice on a barren field behind the middle school that’s unlit, overused and in poor condition. He said the space is the only rectangular field available in the county for community sports, forcing some teams to practice in the outfield of the middle school baseball and softball fields. 

Smith said the addition of synthetic fields would allow his department to meet the needs of existing teams, expand programming and host tournaments. County officials have also said that the fields would provide more space for Louisa County Public Schools’ sports teams. 

Superintendent of Schools Doug Straley voiced support for the fields at the same meeting. Like Smith, he said the facilities would meet a community need. 

“We are hurting for fields in our community for our youth. We have one field behind the middle school [for youth sports] that’s grass and, quite frankly, it’s dirt because it’s used so much that the field can’t be kept up,” Straley said. “These are going to be community fields for all of our youth sports to have places to practice.”

But at least one supervisor has publicly expressed concern about forking over more money to build the fields even after voting to okay the contract for the initial phase of construction.

In a Facebook post last week, Cuckoo District Supervisor Chris McCotter, a Republican whose district includes a large swath of Lake Anna, contended the fields are more a luxury than a need. He said he wanted to hear his constituents’ thoughts on the project.

“We just had to approve more funding for the Sheriff’s Department so we could increase pay for deputies to a more competitive level because we were losing them to surrounding municipalities and counties that pay significantly more. I’m OK with that kind of mid-year supplemental appropriation. Government’s job is to protect citizens, so we have a safe place to work and live. Turf fields, especially two of them, are luxury items,” McCotter said.

While it’s unclear what McCotter’s hearing from residents in his district, some community members have rallied in support of the project.

Supporters of Louisa Elite Youth Football, the county’s only youth tackle football league, told the board at its October 7 meeting that the fields are necessary to support their league and Louisa County High School’s football team, a perennial power that draws thousands of fans to its games each week. 

Kevin McIntire, president of Louisa Elite, said that, as other counties struggle to field football teams, the sport is thriving in Louisa with about 250 kids participating in tackle football at the youth and scholastic level.  But, he said, the limited field space and lack of all-weather surfaces hinder players at every level. 

“Our association needs a home. We struggle…we’ve had our last two games canceled because of weather,” McIntire said. “Louisa County’s football team has had one outdoor practice in two weeks. The fields have been closed to our own athletes to practice. While other schools have synthetic fields to go practice on, our kids are stuck inside of a gymnasium trying to practice football. I think these fields are critical in every aspect for Louisa County youth.”

According to the meeting materials, if supervisors opt to move forward with the project, they’d draw the additional funding from three sources: about $1.28 million would come from the county’s long-term capital reserves, $500,000 would come from Louisa County Public Schools’ capital reserves and $1 million would come from the Parks and Recreation Department’s capital reserves. 

The board has socked away at least $2.2 million in the latter fund over the last several years, $1.2 million of which it initially earmarked to help pay for an indoor aquatic center.

The board issued more than $3 million in debt to cover the initial appropriation for the fields in the FY24 budget, part of a $20 million bond package okayed by supervisors in March. The bulk of the bond revenue will pay for water and sewer infrastructure for the Shannon Hill Regional Business Park.

Board to discuss honorary road naming policy

Supervisors will discuss a draft honorary road naming policy. 

The policy aims to provide “guidelines and criteria for the Board of Supervisors to consider” when naming a section of roadway in a citizen’s honor, according to the meeting materials. (draft policy)

Louisa District Supervisor Manning Woodward, at the board’s October 21 meeting, requested that supervisors name a mile-long strip of Davis Highway (Route 22) in front of Louisa County High School in honor of Col. Samuel Nelson Drew, a 1966 LCHS graduate who served in the Air Force and worked as a diplomat with the State Department in the Balkans.

During his tenure in the Balkans, Drew helped lay the groundwork for the Dayton Accords, an agreement that brought peace to the region.  In August 1995, he and two other State Department officials died when the armored personnel vehicle they were traveling in fell down a steep ravine. Drew was posthumously awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by then-President Bill Clinton. 

Woodward’s request prompted the board to form a committee to work with staff to craft a process for evaluating honorary road dedication proposals. Woodward and Green Springs District Supervisor Rachel Jones agreed to serve on the committee.

Jones said that she wasn’t opposed to honoring residents by naming a slice road after them, but noted that one of her constituents had come to the board with naming requests several years ago and they hadn’t moved forward. She said the county needs to establish parameters for how it would handle requests in the future. 

“I think this man is definitely worthy. But I do think we need to have the conversation about what other roads and other citizens that have served [should be honored] if this is the path we are going to go down,” she said.

According to the draft policy, residents, organizations and county officials could present naming requests to the board for consideration. Honorary roads names would be limited to one approval per year and reserved for “individuals with strong ties to Louisa County who have achieved notable distinction at the national or international level.”

The draft lays out specific eligibility criteria.

Any honoree must have strong connections to the community including either being born or raised in Louisa County, graduating from an educational institution in the county or providing distinguished service to the community. 

An honoree must achieve significant recognition at a national or international level including, but not limited to, “receiving awards or honors conferred by national or international bodies;” earning distinctions in fields such as government, military, arts and culture, sports, or business, among others; or “contributing to an industry, profession, or cause that have positively impacted society on a broad scale.”

In addition, an honoree’s achievements and conduct “must reflect positively on Louisa County, upholding values of integrity, service, and dedication.”

The meeting materials also include a draft application that would be required for submission as part of the honorary naming process.

The board would review each application to ensure the nominee meets eligibility requirements and vote on whether to name a section of roadway in the nominee’s honor.

If supervisors opt to move forward with the naming, county officials would “coordinate with relevant departments and stakeholders to establish an honorary road name in honor of the individual.”

The organization or individual that submitted the application would be required to cover the cost of signage and a dedication ceremony would be arranged to provide “an opportunity for the community to celebrate the honoree’s achievements.”

During the board’s discussion of Woodward’s request, Chair Duane Adams noted that honorary road names are only a symbolic measure and wouldn’t impact the county’s 911 system.

Supes to consider Dove Hollow proffer amendment

Supervisors will hold a public hearing and consider whether to approve Swamp Bottom, LLC’s request for a proffer amendment that would tweak the buffer requirements for a subdivision in the Louisa Election District.

In 2006, supervisors rezoned about 23 acres off Chalk Level Road (Route 625), clearing the way for development of the eight-lot Dove Hollow subdivision. In a proffer attached to the rezoning, Swamp Bottom, LLC, the subdivision’s developer, agreed to plant clusters of Leyland Cypress trees to supplement a natural buffer along the subdivision’s border with Chalk Level Road. 

Now, Swamp Bottom is asking the county to amend the proffer, removing the supplemental planting requirement for one of the parcels adjoining the road: the 6.08-acre Lot 8 (tax map parcel 41-33-8).

Swamp Bottom principal Michael Tolley told the planning commission at its October meeting that, since the death of his father, he’s been in charge of the subdivision. He said he recently tried to plant Leyland Cypress on the periphery of the parcel, but the area is too wet to support the trees’ growth.  Tolley also noted that the property is home to a natural buffer that screens it from view. 

Associate Planner Renee Mawyer concurred, noting that staff visited the site and confirmed the presence of a 50’ natural buffer, which is also included in the proffers. She added that the buffer adequately shields the property. 

The commission voted unanimously to recommend that the board approve Tolley’s request, but Chair John Disosway expressed some concern that there didn’t appear to be any Leyland Cypress planted on Lot 1, as required by the proffers.  The three-acre lot also borders Chalk Level Road and isn’t adequately screened, according to Disosway. 

Tolley said he planted Leyland Cypress on the parcel, but the trees died.

Several commissioners noted that the applicant had technically abided by the proffers, which require the planting of Leyland Cypress but don’t mention maintenance requirements.

Senior Planner Tom Egeland said that Dove Hollow’s proffers were crafted some 18 years ago, and staff now employs more specific language to ensure that buffers are both planted and maintained. 

Other business

In other business, supervisors will get an update on the Holly Grove radio tower project.  

The county is building a 195-foot telecommunications tower, topped with a four-foot antenna, adjacent to the Holly Grove Volunteer Fire Department. The project is aimed at improving emergency communication for first responders, who often struggle with connectivity in the area.   

The county received a $1 million federal appropriation to fund the project two years ago. The money was awarded at the request of 7th District Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D-Henrico), who represented the county through 2022. 

The meeting materials don’t include any additional information about the project. 

The board will also consider approving the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission’s (TJPDC) legislative platform for the 2025 General Assembly session. The 45-day session kicks off January 8. 

The platform covers a range of policy goals and initiatives that the TJPDC will adovocate for on behalf of its six member jurisdictions: the counties of Louisa, Fluvanna, Greene, Nelson and Albemarle and the City of Charlottesville. Read the platform here. 

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Three apply to temporarily fill top spot in Town of Louisa government

A trio of familiar faces are vying for an appointment to the top spot in Town of Louisa government—at least for now. 

Arthur D. “Danny” Carter and Jessica “Jessi” Lassiter, both sitting members of Louisa’s Town Council, and Matthew L. Kersey, Jr., a former council member who currently represents the Louisa District on the Louisa County Planning Commission, have thrown their hats in the ring to temporarily serve as the town’s mayor.

But Lassiter, who’s currently the acting mayor, suggested she’d withdraw from consideration if she’s re-elected to her council seat in this Tuesday’s General Election. She’s one of four candidates on the ballot vying for three seats.

“I am hoping for the council spot,” she told Engage Louisa last week.

Council will appoint someone to serve as interim mayor in a special meeting this Wednesday (Nov. 6), the day after the election.     

The five-member body was tasked with making an appointment after former Mayor Garland Nuckols, who led the town for a decade, resigned in mid-September.

The appointee will serve until next November when the town holds a special election to fill the remainder of Nuckols’ term, which runs through 2026. 

As required by a new state law aimed at bringing more transparency to the appointment process, Town Manager Liz Nelson announced the names of the three candidates at a special meeting last Wednesday and shared their cover letters and resumes.  

All three candidates have deep ties to local government and likely wouldn’t need much on the job training should they assume the post.

Carter, a retired banker whose lived in Louisa for about four decades, has served two stints on council, spanning nearly 25 years. His current term is set to expire at the end of the year and he opted not to seek re-election.

Carter noted in his cover letter that the decision to not run again was difficult, but he said he wanted to give others an opportunity to serve the town. 

Carter said he’d be a good choice for interim mayor given his deep experience in town government and his background in banking. He worked for Virginia Community Bank for 20 years and Essex Bank for seven.

“The appointment of Interim Mayor will allow me to stay involved and offer continuity of government, due to my tenured service,” Carter said. “Considering my current role with the Town, and my unique skillset obtained over many years in banking, I believe I would be a good fit for this position, and would enjoy continuing to serve where I’ve lived and worked over the past forty years.”

Like Carter, Kersey also has decades of experience in public service with his spanning the town, county and federal levels.

The Louisa native, who grew up in the eastern part of the county, represented the Mountain Road District on the Board of Supervisors for three terms in the 1980s and 1990s. He first won a board seat in 1981 at just 19 years old.

After moving to the Town of Louisa in 1998, Kersey served on council for 14 years. He’s currently on the county’s planning commission, an appointee of town resident and Louisa District Supervisor Manning Woodward.

Kersey spent much of his professional career as a federal employee, logging 30 years with the US Postal Service.

Kersey notes in his cover letter and resume that he’s served the community in “multiple capacities” and he’s aptly prepared to lead the town as it navigates continued growth. 

“As I watch a child play ball on the town’s field or attend an event at the Louisa Arts Center, I am reminded of the significant effort required to preserve and create opportunities for our community. The coming months and years will be ones of transition with growth and change. I endeavor to work with you to meet these challenges,” Kersey said. 

A former Northern Virginia resident, Lassiter has lived in the Town of Louisa for almost a decade and been involved in town government for nearly as long. She first won a seat on council in 2016 and, the next year, her colleagues tapped her as vice mayor. Since Nuckols’ resignation, she’s taken over mayoral duties including running council meetings.   

Outside of her role in local government, Lassiter works as a registered nurse in the University of Virginia Health System where she provides care to critically ill and injured patients and facilitates transport to UVA’s hospital and other medical facilities.   

In her cover letter, Lassiter points to her work as a nurse as helping prepare her for a leadership role in the town. 

“My background is in nursing and patient transport, but I have been able to use my nursing skills of lifelong learning, critical thinking and problem solving in my role on the town council and think that I would be a good candidate for Interim Mayor,” she said. 

Lassiter notes that she’s cherished her eight years representing town residents “and the learning, relationships, and opportunities for community involvement it has afforded [her]” and looks forward to continuing to serve the community. 

Though Lassiter expressed a willingness to serve as mayor, she made clear in a brief interview after Wednesday’s meeting that she’d prefer to retain her seat on council. 

Louisa’s town government operates under a mayor-council model, in which its five council members and mayor are independently chosen by town voters.

The mayor runs council meetings, but only casts votes in the event of a tie. Per the town’s charter, the mayor also acts as the “head of town government for all ceremonial purposes, for purposes of military law, and for the service of civil processes.”

State law requires council or a circuit court judge to appoint someone as mayor when the seat is vacated. 

While Nelson announced the names of the three applicants on Wednesday night, the meeting didn’t include any other action.  As sitting members of council, both Lassiter and Carter attended the meeting, but Kersey wasn’t present.

None of the candidates were invited to speak, and the meeting didn’t include a public comment period, a standard feature of regular council meetings. 

Nelson told council members that they’re free to reach out to the applicants to discuss the position prior to making an appointment. She also said that council could convene in closed session at the November 6 meeting before formally taking a vote in open session. 

In an email to Engage Louisa on Thursday, Nelson said that any sitting council member or citizen under consideration for the appointment “can be included in closed session if the Council is conducting interviews/discussions about the position.”

But, she added that she and Town Attorney Jeff Gore “assume candidates currently on council would recuse themselves and not be included in a closed session council discussion about themselves or other candidates.”

Nelson also noted that Gore isn’t aware of any law that would prohibit a sitting council member from voting for themselves for interim mayor, but they could recuse themselves if they are not comfortable voting.

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Click here for contact information for the Louisa County Board of Supervisors. 

Find agendas and minutes from previous Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission meetings as well as archived recordings here. 

Click here for contact information for the Louisa County School Board. 

Click here for minutes and agendas for School Board meetings. Click here for archived video.

Click here to access past editions of Engage Louisa.