WILLIAMSBURG — The City of Williamsburg made a couple of announcements this week:
Waller Mill Park to Close Two Days A Week Due to a Staff Shortage
Beginning May 16, Waller Mill Park will close on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
This change is the result of a staffing shortage of part-time park employees.
Waller Mill Park has been closed one day a week since Oct. 2021. Prior to that, the park was open seven days a week.
According to a release from the City of Williamsburg, “Operating hours at the park are now 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The park will resume normal operating hours when staffing returns to a level that can provide a quality of service that meets the demand and expectations of our community.”
Williamsburg is raising its part-time hourly rate to $19/hr, which is effective at the start of the new fiscal year July 1.
Those interested in a job should visit the City of Williamsburg’s official website.
City of Williamsburg Announces 2022 Paving Program
The City’s 2022 paving program begins next week, starting on May 16. The paving program involves milling and paving streets/street segments in various areas across the city.
Some of the streets on the schedule include:
- Jamestown Road — Route 199 to lake Matoaka dam
- S. Henry Street — Francis Street to Route 199
- Harrison Avenue — Richmond Road, west to the end of City Right-of-way
- Highland Park community, including N. Henry Street, Dunning Street, Burbank Street, Roycroft Street, Henderson Street, and Alice Street.
- Quarterpath Recreation Center parking lot
According to a release, “The Virginia Department of Transportation’s State of Good Repair federal aid program covers the cost of the Jamestown Road and South Henry Street segments, approximately $700,000. The Highland Park, Harrison Avenue, and Quarterpath Recreation Center lot segments are paid for with the City’s Capital Improvement Plan funds, totaling $595,000.”
The City will post “no parking” signs in the areas affected on the day prior to the beginning of work.
For a full list of the paving schedule visit the City of Williamsburg website.
City Council Approves Fiscal Year 2023 Budget
Williamsburg’s City Council voted unanimously to adopt a $117.8 million budget for Fiscal Year 2023 at its regular meeting Thursday, May 12.
Part of this budget includes a 2-cent reduction to the real property tax, which lowers the rate from 64 cents to 62 cents per $100 of assessed value.
According to the City, “The budget also includes a reduction in the assessment ratio for personal property tax by 20%, meaning taxpayers will pay 80% of the value of their vehicles.”
The adopted budget is expected to be posted online in July.
City of Williamsburg Offices to Close on May 20 for an In-Service Day
On Friday, May 20, the City of Williamsburg offices will be closed for an in-service day.
This service day will involve City staff participating in team-building and professional development sessions.
These office closures include all offices in the Municipal Building that’s on Lafayette Street and Quarterpath Recreation Center.
Waller Mill Park will follow its normal operating hours, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
According to the City, “A convenient 24-hour bill payment dropbox is located at the front of the Municipal Building, 401 Lafayette St., for City transactions. Payments can also be made online. Dropbox payments made on Friday, May 20, 2022, will not be posted until Monday, May 23, 2022.”
