Notes and Votes May 21
Krista Brown May 21, 2025
This is Krista Brown with Notes & Votes from the most recent meeting of the Colonial Beach Town Council.
On Wednesday, May 21st, the Town Council (TC) met for their May meeting.
Some great news to start this report, as you enter town, please peek at the new signage welcoming you to Colonial Beach. What a great improvement has been made, and we are so grateful.
Grab your notebook because first up is upcoming events!
- On May 29th join Colonial Beach Chief of Police Les Parsons for Coffee with a Cop at Colonial Buzz Espresso Bar from 830-930AM! Meet the Chief and get your caffeine ON!
- Shoppers Beware… Get ready for the Town Wide Yard Sale on Saturday, May 31st from 8-4PM. Please visit the town website for a map of the participating homes!
- On June 1st from 2-4PM, WWER Colonial Beach Community Radio will celebrate its 6th year! Feel free to stop by the studio located behind Hawthorne Mercantile to say hello and learn about volunteer opportunities.
- Our Save the Bay – Colonial Beach Community Clean-Up will take place Saturday, June 7th. Bags, gloves, lunch, and a T-shirt are all included! Please visit www.cbf.org for details and registration.
- Sunday, June 8th 2PM , head to the Colonial Beach Community Center on Marshal Avenue for the Grand Opening of the sandlot! Come grab a hot dog and celebrate the opening of the new tee ball field. Thank you to the American Water Charitable Foundation, Colonial Beach Community Foundation and numerous other community donors who made this possible.
- This year the Potomac River Festival and the Colonial Beach Rod Club Father’s Day Car Show land on the same weekend! Mark your calendars for June 15-June 17tth for the Potomac River Festival and on Sunday, head to Town Hill to see the biggest car show around!
Finally, congratulations to all our Colonial Beach Drifters who graduated! We couldn’t be prouder of what you have accomplished!
Chief Blake Byrd from Westmoreland County Emergency Management Services spoke about the upcoming hurricane season and potential impacts on Colonial Beach. He reminds citizens to build an emergency kit with three days of food, water, hygiene products, medications, flashlight, batteries, important documents, cash, first aid, can opener and KNOW your evacuation route. You can sign up for Westmoreland County Emergency Alerts. Please visit the Westmoreland County Virginia Emergency Services website to sign up for alerts. Please visit the Town of Colonial Beach website to sign up for local alerts. Chief Byrd reminded citizens that even severe thunderstorms can be dangerous so please stay prepared.
Deputy Chief Robin Manthy advised we have a brand-new ambulance here in Colonial Beach which is fully staffed 24/7/365. This ambulance also boasts an Advanced Life Support Crew. And if things couldn’t be better cardiac monitors were placed in service allowing for enhanced diagnostic care in the field. Thank you to our Westmoreland Emergency Services and Colonial Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad!
Next up for council was discussion amongst members regarding the deficit in the Fiscal Year 2026 proposed budget. All council members appeared in agreement that a Cost-of-Living Increase (COLA) for all town staff was a necessity.
A dialogue amongst the council ensued. Ms. Grandstaff asked if the town could sell town property to make up for the deficit. Chief Financial Officer Oakes responded and advised it is not best practice to use one-time monies for ongoing expenses. Also, based on Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Policy, any sale of town-owned property, all monies will be divided among fire, schools, rescue, and the town.
Vice Mayor Allison and Councilman Wood stated they felt the town’s budget may have been cut a bit too much and showed concern for services. Mr. Wood continued to say if a consensus amongst council on passing the budget is reached, he is willing to compromise with his fellow council members.
Mr. Larson proposed using one-time monies (from American Rescue Act of 2021 (ARPA) funds), despite being dangerous, to fund the COLA. Mr. Wood then motioned to pass the budget as proposed by the town staff with no tax increases and funding the approximate $117,000 required for the 2.5% COLA increase (and balancing the water and sewer funds) by utilizing ARPA funds. Mr. Larson seconded the motion and stated as a body the council should commit to various policy changes to raise revenue in future years. Subsequent discussion amongst council ensued and the motion was amended to include balancing the water and sewer funds with ARPA funds as well.
As a result, the council passed the budget unanimously and will meet for their June work session on June 4th at 6PM. Enjoy another day in paradise as we welcome summer to Colonial Beach!
WWER Live