Board of supervisors notebook

By Gracie Hart
Review Staff Writer
Published: November 20, 2008

James Madison Museum
The James Madison Museum has filed a request with the board of supervisors to become tax exempt.  This would grant the James Madison Memorial Foundation real estate and personal property tax relief for the two parcels of land on Caroline Street in Orange.  A public hearing, the next step in the process, has been set for Dec. 9 regarding the tax exempt status.

Central Virginia Battlefield Trust
The Central Virginia Battlefield Trust has also filed a request to become tax-exempt for two parcels in the county totaling 18.347 acres.  A public hearing has been set for Dec. 9 regarding their request.

Gordonsville annexation
The on-going discussion of the Gordonsville annexation was continued this week with District 2 Supervisor Zack Burkett suggesting that perhaps the annexation as it is written now is not reflective of what the supervisors originally envisioned it as being.  According to chairman Mark Johnson, the supervisors know what they want and the Gordonsville Town Council knows what it wants but there has been some confusion in getting the different ideas to convey between the board and the town correctly.
Johnson and Burkett will be scheduling a meeting with the Gordonsville Town Council to discuss the annexation and clarify the ideas surrounding it. 

Bike trail
Supervisor Zack Burkett said he has been inspired by his son who is involved in the growing sport of mountain biking and suggested Orange County consider creating a bike trail on county land.  Burkett has suggested two possible locations for creating a trail, which would bring in the revenue “of a few hundred people coming in for a weekend.“  The trail, which is basically creating a space large enough between trees for a bike to fit through, is a cheap, easy way to bring recreation into the county, he said. 
The supervisors voted in favor of allowing Burkett to proceed with researching the sport and the possible creation of a trail. 

Meeting cancellation
The board has voted to cancel the Dec. 23 meeting due to the close proximity of the holidays.