]]>Dear Community System Customer:
During its January board meeting held Thursday, January 12, 2012, Loudoun Water’s Board of Directors voted 9-0 to change a proposal to put in place a tiered rate structure and a three-year rate increase for developer-initiated water and wastewater systems, also known as Community Systems, to a proposal to put in place a tiered rate structure and only the first year (2012) of the three-year rate increase.
In a 6-2-1 vote, the board then chose to defer a vote on the 2012 rate structure and rate increase to its February meeting to be held February 9, 2012, at 3 p.m. at Loudoun Water’s Administration Building, 44865 Loudoun Water Way, in Ashburn.
Comments and questions received during the public comment period and a public hearing held on January 5, 2012, requested the board reconsider its proposal due to its financial impact and a perceived lack of transparency by Loudoun Water.
While all legal requirements for public notice were met, five workshops were held that were open to the public, and a detailed letter was sent to every Community System customer, the board determined that, as a courtesy to the customers, a summary document detailing the proposal should be made available to the public prior to a vote.
Attached in this email is the summary document detailing the original proposal to Loudoun Water’s Board of Directors and its Community Systems customers for review prior to our February board meeting. It was written by Municipal & Financial Services Group, the firm which conducted the original rate review. You may also access the summary document online on our website, www.loudounwater.org. Information about the 2012 portion of the initial proposal is also available on our website.
The summary document was not originally presented in one document but through a series of workshops held by our board. These workshops were open to the public in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act. Documents detailing the meetings, as well as the presentations that were made, have been and continue to be available. They can be found under the Board Docs section of our website or by clicking on the links below.
Community Systems Workshop I
June 20, 2011
http://www.boarddocs.com/va/lwva/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=8HUMXY5D5663
Community Systems Workshop II
July 28, 2011
http://www.boarddocs.com/va/lwva/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=8JYH7F471919
Community Systems Workshop III
August 31, 2011
http://www.boarddocs.com/va/lwva/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=8L4JTR4EC303
Community Systems Workshop IV
Sept. 29, 2011
http://www.boarddocs.com/va/lwva/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=8LXR8668723A
Community Systems Workshop V
Nov. 3, 2011
http://www.boarddocs.com/va/lwva/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=8MSTGR711657
The public comment period on the proposal for 2012 remains open and Loudoun Water will take comments in writing until February 9, 2012. If you would like to make comments about the review or the linked documents, email me at mmcgill@loudounwater.org. These comments will be added to ones we have already received and will be presented to our board for review.
Thank you for your consideration,
Mike
Mike McGill
Manager of Community Relations
Loudoun Water
Attachment:
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On Monday, Dec. 5, world-famous dog trainer Cesar Millan and a film crew from National Geographic's Nat Geo WILD cable channel spent the day at Morven Park. Scouts for Millan's show, "Dog Whisperer," were attracted by Morven Park's rolling hills and open spaces, a perfect setting for a commercial promoting the show's move to the newest National Geographic channel. Watch closely, and you'll find several familiar spots in the video.
]]>Dear Community Systems Customer,
During its January meeting on Thursday the 12th, Loudoun Water’s Board of Directors considered a proposal for a tiered rate structure and a three-year rate increase. The proposal was outlined in a letter you mailed to you from Loudoun Water on/or about November 28, 2011. The letter is posted online here.
A press release detailing what occurred at the meeting follows below. The main points of the release below are these:
Leesburg Today also covered the meeting. Click here to read their story.
Thank you for your consideration,
Mike
Mike McGill
Manager of Community Relations
Read more for a lengthy letter and attachment from Loudoun Water.
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November 15, 2011
Attachment: Raspberry Falls Study Brochure.pdf
Dear Resident:
On November 23, 2010, Loudoun Water was officially informed by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) that the untreated water entering Well PW-1 was Groundwater Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water or GUDI. As part of their GUDI determination, VDH recommended Loudoun Water consider several actions to address the situation, including the installation of filtration and disinfection treatment for the well and a connection to another waterworks such as the Town of Leesburg.
In response to the determination, Loudoun Water’s Board of Directors directed staff in a December 2010 resolution to consider installation of filtration and disinfection treatment at Raspberry Falls as an option and to evaluate the practicable options which were consistent with the Loudoun County Revised General Plan. Following the resolution, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors requested that Loudoun Water also study a pipeline extension of Town of Leesburg water to Raspberry Falls. Loudoun Water’s board agreed to do so back in January.
For eight months, Loudoun Water worked with Hazen & Sawyer, a leading environmental engineering firm, and the Town of Leesburg to produce studies that would objectively evaluate and determine the options that will address the situation and be able to be constructed.
After careful review of the studies, Loudoun Water found sufficient information to conclude that both the treatment and pipeline options are technically viable (able to be constructed) and identified preferences for a treatment option and a pipeline alignment. Other issues, including operational considerations, costs and implementation timeframes were outlined and found to be factors that could significantly influence a final decision.
Attached you will find a publication we have produced to help explain the studies’ findings. (It is also available online at loudounwater.org.) It provides some background on the situation in Raspberry Falls, describes how the study work was conducted, and details the essential findings in what we hope is a format that is easy-to-understand. If you wish to read the complete studies, you can turn to our website at loudounwater.org and click on the Raspberry Falls or Selma Estates webpage found under Community Systems.
Loudoun Water is guided by our mission to ensure sustainable water services to protect health, the environment and quality of life. Providing a reliable and safe water supply drives our decision-making process. The Well PW-1 GUDI determination highlighted the nature of wells in limestone geology; that some – but not all – wells in the karst can become under the direct influence of surface water over time and require a different level of treatment.
Therefore, after taking all of the facts into consideration, Loudoun Water’s Board of Directors passed a resolution on November 10, 2011, stating its determination that either the preferred treatment option or the preferred pipeline alignment will be selected as the appropriate long-term solution to the situation at Raspberry Falls.
The resolution states, “Because the extension of municipal water into the Rural Policy Area is not permitted by Loudoun County, Loudoun Water will proceed with the installation of membrane filtration for all Raspberry Falls water supply wells and will not proceed with further development of the pipeline extension of Leesburg Town Water unless:
Loudoun Water requests that Loudoun County and the Town of Leesburg decide whether to pursue the pipeline extension no later than May 2012 otherwise Loudoun Water will proceed with installation of membrane filtration at Raspberry Falls.
Pursuant to Loudoun Water policies, the cost of improvements to the Raspberry Falls Community Water System will be recovered from Raspberry Falls Customers. Loudoun Water will support the Board of Supervisor’s consideration of establishing a sanitary district.”
(NOTE: The full resolution can be found on the homepage of Loudoun Water’s website, loudounwater.org.)
Loudoun Water will consider the need for membrane filtration for Selma Estates water supply wells following completion and evaluation of the remaining Selma Estates wells.
Loudoun Water has the ability to move forward immediately with work on the treatment option without the need for legislative action. The pipeline option does require legislative action by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and the Town of Leesburg before work can commence, so we stand ready to work collaboratively with all of the affected parties if the pipeline option is considered by the County and the Town of Leesburg.
We will be prepared to cooperate with all of the affected parties to select the appropriate option and to consider financing vehicles consistent with past actions taken by both the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and the Town of Leesburg to pay for the solution.
It is important to note that the treated water to the Raspberry Falls community has always met EPA and VDH standards. During the timeframes required to determine and implement the appropriate long-term solution, Loudoun Water will continue to fulfill its mission.
When the studies were released to the public on August 22, 2011, Loudoun Water opened a public review and comment period to give interested parties time to ask questions about the studies and give their opinions on its findings. To date, we have received nearly 100 questions from the community.
During our presentation of the studies to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, a request was made for Loudoun Water to add a public meeting to the review and comment process at or near Raspberry Falls to help explain the studies and give the community an additional opportunity to provide input. Loudoun Water is fulfilling this request by holding two public meetings that will provide some flexibility and allow more residents to attend. The content presented at both sessions will be the same.
The public meetings will be held Wednesday, December 7, 2011, and Thursday, December 8, 2011, in the cafeteria of Tuscarora High School, 801 N. King Street, in Leesburg. The sessions will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
I invite you to join us for one of the sessions to hear our presentation and give your input. Representatives from Loudoun Water, Hazen and Sawyer, and other key stakeholders will be on hand to give a presentation about the studies’ findings. Answers to the questions we have received from the community as part of the review and comment process will be given at the sessions. We will also take additional questions that will either be responded to at the meeting or within a two-week timeframe. The public review and comment period will then close on December 31, 2011.
We hope you find the enclosed material helpful to you in forming your opinion and we hope you will share thoughts on the long-term solutions proposed for Raspberry Falls on either December 7th or 8th. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Dale Hammes, P.E.
General Manager
Loudoun Water
]]>]]>Everyone,
Due to weather-related delays and site conditions, construction work on the wastewater treatment plant has fallen behind schedule. To address the issue, our contractor is going to conduct work on the following Saturdays:
11/12
11/19
12/3
12/10
12/17
Normally work would be conducted between 7am and 3:30pm. Given it is the weekend, we have asked for work to begin at 9am and to continue until 5:30pm. The contractor has agreed to work under this schedule.
If the contractor conducts work prior to 9am or if there are other issues with the work, please contact me via email at mmcgill@loudounwater.org.
Mike
Mike McGill
Manager of Community Relations
Loudoun Water
Do you? Follow us on Twitter and Tweet right from the home page. See Follow Us on the right and click Twitter!]]>
Check out our new, public Raspberry Falls HOA Facebook page. Join us, connect with your Raspberry friends, keep track of important information and news. Our news feed is displayed below the fold on the Home page.
More "social" coming soon.
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Brought to you by Loudoun Convention & Visitors Association (Visit Loudoun).
This web series follows the adventures of four people, two men and two women, as they seek to break out of their routines and go local, immersing themselves in a place called Loudoun. Each episode follows our intrepid travelers as they face challenges, new experiences, and each other, and in the process, discover a destination filled with fun. So what are you waiting for? Get Lost!
Find the series at Get Lost in Loudoun.
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The Virginia Tourism Corporation invites wine lovers to start planning a trip for October Virginia Wine Month, one of the best times of the year to visit the state's numerous wine regions. "Discover Your Local Crush" is the Wine Month theme, tempting travelers to visit and taste the best of Virginia wines at wineries and festivals statewide.Mount Vernon - Sept 3-Oct 2 - Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour at Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens - The father of our nation welcomes you to his fine estate where 16 wineries will be on hand pouring their best. In addition to the fine samples, take an evening tour of George and Martha's home, as well as their rarely-opened basement where their wine was stored. $35 per person.
Middleburg - Oct 1-2 - The 11th Annual Norton Wine Bluegrass Festival - Enjoy the bluegrass pickings of Jackass Flats, The In Crowd, and A Good Natured Riot throughout the weekend, as well as BBQ, cheese, chocolates, and chutneys from Virginia's most highly regarded producers, Hay rides and vineyard tours, plus a special 9-wine tasting are other highlights of the day. Don't miss this special celebration!
Washington - Oct 8 - Gadino Cellars' Founder's Day Celebration - Robbie Limon will entertain, and bocce on the lawn is definitely in order. Tour the vineyard and see our new wines being made. Feel free to pack a picnic!
Fredericksburg - Oct 8-9 - 21st Annual Fredericksburg Area Wine Festival - Eight Virginia wineries have samples of their wines, as well as microbrews from Blue and Gray Micro Brewery! Food concessions, local crafters and artisans, live music, and Aubrey Treakle's Barrel Train for the kids. Free admission to retired and active military with ID. $20 at gate; $10 for designated driver.
Culpeper - Oct 9 - Taste of Culpeper - Enjoy a day of Virginia's best wineries, microbreweries, local cuisine, and treasures by local artisans and crafters. We have great fun in store for the kids, too!
Fredericksburg - Oct 29 - Harvest Festival at Hartwood Winery - Hayrides, scarecrow-making, games, pony rides, and the wonderful wines of Hartwood Winery and Rogers Ford Winery. What could be better? Kids are free!
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Business Facilities has ranked Virginia best in the nation in economic growth potential in its 2011 State Rankings Report. The rankings are based on an assessment of incentives programs, availability of a skilled workforce, growth strategy, cooperation between business, government and higher education and the growth potential of the location's targeted industries. The Economic Growth Potential in Business Facilities' 2011 State Rankings Report is available online at www.businessfacilities.com]]>
Please consider making a donation or even conducting your own school supply drive. Call Development Director, Judy Brittle at (703) 771-1060.
]]>The blood donor education will include basic information in the classroom portion of the Driver Education and Health curriculum. For more information about blood donation, visit www.inova.org/donateblood
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Writer Bob Ecker of the San Francisco Examiner had this to say when putting Virginia in the top five:
What stunning scenery, backwoods horse country, dense woods and green, green green pasture land as far as the eye can see. Chock a block with lovely little towns, countless rivers and bays, deep story lines – some good, some somber – but for the most part this state is inhabited by smart, very friendly, genuine people. Plus the Commonwealth of Virginia is so rich with American history. Worthy sites include Mount Vernon, Monticello and Montpelier and hundreds of others offering glimpses into the beginnings of our country. Virginia is a beauty – and wine too.
Thanks Bob – we agree whole heartedly. Click here to read the full article and feel free to share the good word.
Other states in the top 5: New York, California, Wahington and Hawaii.
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Leadership Loudoun is accepting applications for its 20th Anniversary program year. Plan now to participate in this 9-month immersion program while developing your leadership skills and learning about all things Loudoun. Visit www.leadershiploudoun.org today!]]>
Leadership Loudoun is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 1991, with the mission to develop and engage current and emerging leaders to work together to serve the good of Loudoun County, Virginia. Graduates of the program are active in Loudoun County as they serve on boards, commissions and committees, and volunteer with area non-profits and community organizations. 
Farm-to-Fork Loudoun is a collaborative effort between the agricultural, culinary, and winery communities of Loudoun County, Virginia. All participating chefs and restaurant owners have committed to using at least 70 percent locally sourced food July 21 through 31, when restaurant patrons may order from specially created Farm-to-Fork Loudoun menus featuring some of the county's best locally grown and raised produce, beef, lamb, and poultry, complimented by a selection of Loudoun wine and spirits.]]>
Inspired by a current national movement that poses the question, "where does our food come from?", this 11-day project is a true celebration. Be sure to visit any of 21 fine culinary sites to discover the bounty of Loudoun and the skills & passions of the people who bring your food and spirits from farm to table.
On Facebook at farmtoforkloudoun
Visit Website: Farm-to-Fork Loudoun
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Loudoun Habitat for Humanity is currently seeking interested individuals who would like to serve on our Board of Directors. We are accepting applications for consideration through April 15th. You can obtain an application by emailing jen@loudounhabitat.org and we will send you the forms and instructions.]]>
Details about our affiliate and mission are available via the web at www.loudounhabitat.org or by calling 703.737.6772.]]>
New. Improved. More features. Easier. more ...
The Raspberry Falls Community welcomes you to our new site. Check out the following ...
If you are a resident, continue reading ...
]]> For Residents Only: Simply click on Sign In (upper right) to access On the Vine. Enter your User ID and Password, check Remember Me to keep your sign in automatic in the future and participate!New features include:
Enjoy.
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"As daylight savings time begins on Sunday, March 13, 2011, the Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management reminds residents to change and test the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. This message is simple and the habit can be lifesaving."By Caitlin Gibson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, January 14, 2011; 12:17 AM
After years of complaints about water quality in a community near Leesburg, the Loudoun Water board of directors will vote Thursday on whether to fund a study examining the possibility of extending a central water pipeline from Leesburg to Raspberry Falls, a subdivision north of town and west of Route 15....
Because Raspberry Falls is part of a rural zoning area, the extension of a central pipeline from Leesburg would require that the supervisors first vote to rezone the community in the county's general plan.
Greg Branic, a member of the Raspberry Falls homeowners association, said that resistance to extending the pipeline is more about the politics of development in a rapidly growing county than addressing a legitimate health problem.
"This is a public safety hazard," Branic said. "It's frustrating for the residents, because it's been really poorly managed and mishandled."
Read the entire Washington Post article here.
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