Bridgewater
Current
Volume 38, Number 5
July 2016
Bridgewater
License Plates
Some of us don’t miss many
opportunities to tell people what a
special place Bridgewater is. We are
working on another way to announce
that message to
the world. We
are in the early
stages of having
a Bridgewater
license plate produced by the Virginia
DMV. We’ve done the background
legal research and now we need a
design. The Town is sponsoring a
contest to find a special design that
captures the essence of this special
place.
The competition is open to
everyone: the young and the old,
professional artists and rank amateurs,
those who live in Bridgewater and
those who just wish they
did. Similarly, the winning design
might be literal or abstract, vibrant or
serene, emotionally poignant or just
plain cute. Hopefully, all that
flexibility will offset the fact that we
have no monetary prizes to
offer. The winning designer will
receive only our framed Proclamation
of Gratitude and the satisfaction of
seeing his or her artwork driven all
over North America.
Designs are due by September
15. Submit them in hard copy,
electronically, or in any other form
you can think of. If you have
questions, drop us an email at
[email protected].
New Police Motorcycle
When Lt. Larry Papotnik, Jr. approached his police chief in the
spring of 2009
about the
possibility of
purchasing a
motorcycle for our
police department,
he listed several
reasons why it
would work well
and be beneficial
to our citizens.
The main reason
was that he knew
that they believed
strongly in focusing on community policing which is important in
combating crime and improving the quality of life for our citizens.
After 6 years in service, their 2009 Harley Davidson was sold and a
new motorcycle was ordered to help continue the department’s focus.
Last week, after waiting almost a year from the order placement, the
2016 Victory police motorcycle arrived much to the pleasure of the
police department.
We use our motorcycle for community programs and events such as
parades, the lawn party, and funeral escorts. It continues to be an
excellent tool for traffic enforcement with the ability to answer calls for
service by maneuvering through stopped traffic in emergencies in a safe
and efficient manner. It can also travel through tight and grassy areas in
our parks where cruisers cannot.
Financially, a motorcycle is less of an overall expense to the Town,
including long-term care and maintenance, better fuel efficiency (45-50
mpg), and has a much higher resale value than a cruiser.
Be sure to give a wave as Lt. Papotnik is passing by or stop by to
have a closer look at the motorcycle. We are always glad to talk with
you.
Mini-Golf Opens July 4th
We are proud to announce the grand opening of our mini-golf
course on July 4th. Mini-golf will be open 7 days a week from Noon
until 10 pm. For all Town residents with a B-Rec pass, it is free to play.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit our Facebook page at
www.facebook.com\bridgewaterminigolf
Page 2
Bridgewater Current
July 2016
Annual DEQ North River Cleanup...
The Virginia Department of
Environmental Quality’s Valley
Regional Office had another great
clean-up this year! As in the past,
their crew of 21 paddlers (in 11 boats)
and 3 shore-duty helpers began their
day at Wildwood Park in Bridgewater
and worked their way down seven (7!)
miles of the North River. On their
lunch break, just downstream of the
Airport Road bridge in Mt. Crawford,
their dedicated crew took 17 tires, ten
bags of trash, and almost half a ton
of trash out of their canoes and into a
trailer bound for the landfill!
Due to severe storms moving into the area, their
float was hurried at the end, but everyone got off the river
safely - and with plenty of trash! The second landfill load
at the end of the day consisted of 36 tires, 1460 pounds of
trash and some very interesting items! A few of the most
unique items found included: a sailboat rudder, several
rods and reels, an industrial-sized stapler, a car battery, a
clock with no hands, and two fun signs: “No Trespassing”
and “No Dumping”! They’re already excited for next year!
...and Wildwood Day
♫ Oakdale Summer Concert Series ♫
(Sunday Evenings)
In addition to our concerts and movies at
Generations Parks, we are also continuing our
Summer Concert Series in front of the Depot at
Oakdale Park on Sunday evenings. Relax in your
lawn chair with your picnic dinner and enjoy the
music!
July 10:
Harrisonburg Harmonizers - 7 pm
July 17:
Harrisonburg/Rockingham
Concert Band - 7 pm
July 24:
Walnut Ridge Boys - 7 pm
July 31:
August 7:
August 14:
August 21:
August 28:
Southern Grace - 7 pm
Faithful Men - 6:30 pm
Cantore - 7 pm
Good Time Gospel Quartet - 6:30 pm
The Boogie Kings - 6:30 pm
John Wayland Elementary has partnered with the
Town for the past 18 years to encourage “hands on”
environmental education at Wildwood Park. This year, 87
students
participated
in the
Wildwood
Day field
trip. Sue
Haley’s
class
participated
in activities
including
the planting of butterfly gardens, watercolor painting and a
scavenger hunt.
We value our partnership with John Wayland
Elementary and appreciate the teachers, students, and
parents for all of their efforts!
Page 3
Bridgewater Current
Y: Jay’s Column About Policy
Septic Tanks and TMDL
We are dealing with quite a few long range issues
here at 201 Green Street, but nothing is getting more
of our attention these days than septic tanks. We have
47 septic tanks in Bridgewater, and we need to begin
phasing them out. Our TMDL obligations for North
River—as opposed to those for Cooks Creek—focus
on reducing fecal coliforms, which are bacteria present
in animal feces. Thus, for example, we installed pet
waste stations in the parks.
DEQ calculations suggest that septic tanks are a
prime source of fecal-coliform pollution—particularly
if the tank is near the river or the tank is
malfunctioning. Unless our TMDL regulations are
amended in the coming years, it is safe to assume that
we will need to eliminate all septic tanks in town by
2028. Under TMDL Phase I, which is now upon us,
we are required to eliminate any eight septic tanks in
town.
The Town has the power to require connection to
our sanitary sewer system, so one strategy would have
been to select eight for mandatory connection. To us
“Unless our TMDL regulations are amended in the
coming years, it is safe to assume that we will
need to eliminate all septic tanks in town by 2028.”
that seemed, in equal measures, arbitrary and heavyhanded. So instead, we have proposed an ordinance
which (i) would require that septic tanks be inspected
and (ii) would also provide some economic incentive to
connect to Town sewer. Perhaps, we thought, the
inspections would show up enough non-working septic
tanks that at least eight homeowners would want to
come onto the Town system and take advantage of the
incentive. (The proposed incentive, by the way, is a
deferral or reduction of the sewer connection fee.
There are also potential state grants to landowners who
have non-working septic tanks.)
So our hope is for a perfect match of at least eight
landowners who need to replace septic tanks with
timely incentives to hook onto the town’s sewer
system. At minimum, though, the inspections will give
us good data as to which septic tanks function well and
which don’t. If we have to force connection to the
Town sewer system, that data will be useful.
July 2016
After Dark at Gen Park
July Schedule
(Friday Evenings)
Films:
July 8: Wizard of Oz - 8 pm
July 22: Dolphin Tale- 8 pm
Concerts:
July 1: Mike Davis - 7 pm
“County, pop, and rock.”
July 29: Kelly May Brown - 7 pm
“A Valley local singing anything from
Patsy Cline to Katy Perry.”
Featured Farmer:
Wayside Produce
Wayside Produce is located along John Wayland
Highway in Dayton. Wayside has been in production
since 2008. Their farm occupies several acres with a
greenhouse and two high
tunnels. They are able to
provide the Market with a
wide variety of produce.
Currently, Wayside
Produce is at the Market
on Thursdays and
Saturdays. You can find
rhubarb, cabbage, a
variety of lettuce,
tomatoes, squash, spinach,
zucchini, and beets. In a
couple of weeks, onions,
cucumbers, and garlic will
be ready.
In addition to the Market, Wayside has a roadside
stand along Route 42. They also provide fresh
produce to a number of restaurants in Harrisonburg
and Charlottesville, including Bella Luna, Joshua
Wilton House, and The Chop House.
Submit an Event
If you’d like to submit an “Event Around Town,”
please e-mail your event to [email protected]
no later than the 15th of the month.
Town of Bridgewater
Post Office Box 72
Bridgewater, Virginia 22812
PRESORTED
Standard
U.S. Postage PAID
Harrisonburg, VA
Permit No. 65
Local
Postal Customer
Bridgewater Current
Events Around Town
Bridgewater Rotary Club - Dinner/meeting 6 PM
Tuesdays at Maple Terrace, Bridgewater Retirement
Community.
Municipal Calendar
July 4 …………….. ....... Town Offices closed
July 12 ........... Town Council Meeting—7 PM
T.O.P.S. - Bridgewater Presbyterian Church - Tuesdays
6:15-7:30 PM. For info, call Vickie Bland at 568-6539.
Bridgewater Historical Museum - 109 S. Main St. will be
presenting “Local baseball and Little League Memorabilia
from Local Collectors” through July & August. Open
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM or by
appointment. For more information please call 237-4017.
July 5 - Congressman Goodlatte – Open Door Meeting
- 11:30 AM
(First Tuesday of every month).
A
representative will appear at the Bridgewater Community
Center. For more info, call 885-3861.
July 11 - Bridgewater Ruritan Club - 7 PM
Meeting at Bridgewater United Methodist Church.
July 11 - Bridgewater Family & Community Educators
- 7:30 PM Bridgewater Community Center. For info, call
Betsy Glendye at 820-6971. (Monthly on second Monday).
July 19 - Parkinson’s Support Group - 2-3 PM
Bridgewater Retirement Community, 210 Virginia Avenue,
Houff Community Center, Smith Room.
July 19 - Bridgewater Presbyterian Church - Carnival
from 6:00 PM to dark. Free. Family & kid-friendly event
with games, treats, prizes and petting zoo.
July 20 - V.F.W. Post 8644 - 7:30 PM
Meeting at the Post home on Dry River Road. For more
info call 828-0051. (Third Wednesday of every month)
BRIDGEWATER VOL. FIRE COMPANY
LAWN PARTY - July 13 - 16, 2016
Wednesday, July 13th
 Kids ride all night for $15 starting at 6 p.m.
 Veterans eat free with ID
 Band: The Travelin Hillbillies, 7-11 p.m.
Thursday, July 14th
 Kids ride all night for $15 starting at 6 p.m.
 Antique Tractor Pull, 2:00 pm
 Band: Hackensaw Boys, 7-11 p.m.
Friday, July 15th
 Rides open at 6:00 p.m.
 Firemen’s Parade at 7:00 p.m.
 Band: Easygo, 7-11 p.m.
Saturday, July 16th
 Antique Car Show, 9:00 a.m.
 Antique Car and Tractor Parade, 6:00 p.m.
 Band: Wasted Acres, 7-11 p.m.
Shuttle from TAHS every night starting at 6 p.m.
Your help is needed with making ham sandwiches, cake
donations (can be dropped off at the fire house or the
cake wheel stand), and helping in the stands. Contact
Margaret Miller at 828-2035
Articles in this publication are compiled and edited by Town staff. For information, please call 908-4212.