Ashburn District Newsletter

August/September 2013

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

 I hope everyone is enjoying the last of their summer as it quickly comes to an end. As you know, improving our transportation network was one of the main pillars I emphasized when I ran for office. Thankfully, the other eight board members agree with this priority. To that end, the full Board held a strategic planning retreat last September where we prioritized road projects county-wide. During the last budget process, we allocated approximately $200 million over the next six years (the FY2013-2018 CIP) to fund those priority projects. To ensure we are making progress, we held a Transportation Summit on 18 July. One of the main discussion points was how best to utilize the new revenue that is available from the state due to the passing of Governor McDonnell's transportation plan (HB 2313) approved by the General Assembly last spring. There will be approximately $270 million in transportation funding allocated to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) for distribution to Northern Virginia municipalities.

The priorities that came out of our discussions are as follows:

• Accelerate the timeline for the widening of Belmont Ridge Road through the use of
  state & local funding.
• Accelerate construction for Loudoun County Parkway to Route 606 by finding alternative funding solutions.
• Complete Claiborne Parkway from Croson Lane to Ryan Road by the end of 2014 by utilizing state & local funding.
• Widen Route 606 to four lines from the Dulles Greenway to Evergreen Mills Road. Construction is slated to begin in late 2014 from state funding allocations.
• Research and analyze future bus transit plans and garage parking facilities to provide adequate access to the Metrorail.

Updates on current transportation projects:

• The Route 7/Ashburn Village Boulevard interchange is scheduled to begin construction in spring 2014.
• The widening of Waxpool Road between Faulkner Parkway and Unbridled Way should begin this month. This project includes the installation of a traffic light at Waxpool Road and Ashburn Village Boulevard. You may have noticed that the section of Waxpool Road from Ashburn Road to Faulkner Parkway has already been widened to four lanes.
• Funding for the completion of Gloucester Parkway between Loudoun County Parkway and Route 28 is secured and construction should be completed by the end of 2014.
• The completion of Pacific Boulevard between Gloucester Parkway and Russell Branch Parkway is expected by the end of 2014.
• A study is underway for improvements to traffic signal timing at Waxpool Road at Broderick Drive and Pacific Boulevard intersections.

Overall, I am pleased with the progress we have made and I am confident the Board is making informed decisions to meet the demands of this very dynamic county. As always, if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact my office.

 Regards,

 Ralph

FIRE AND RESCUE

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

In June, I mentioned that the board is in the process of implementing recommendations from the Government Reform Commission to modernize our Fire and Rescue system. The county hired a consultant to review best practices and make recommendations for our consideration. The proposed fees are: $467 for Basic Life Support, $660 for Advanced Life Support I and $770 for Advanced Life Support II. The county will focus collection efforts from insurance companies as these charges are covered by most providers. No citizen will be denied EMS services because they can not afford it!

 System Progress

Loudoun has long been blessed with a robust volunteer fire and rescue system. Approximately two decades ago, as the country grew in population, it became necessary to supplement the volunteer system with career fire and rescue personnel. As with any growing system, there is often a need to evaluate efficiency and effectiveness. To address this, County Administrator Tim Hemstreet oversaw a Fire and Rescue System Stakeholders Group to look at a new method of governance for our Fire and Rescue system that adequately represents both volunteer and career workers and provides consistency across the system. The goal of these changes is "to reinforce, sustain and support the success of the volunteer companies" and provide strong leadership to our career staff so that Loudoun continues to provide this critical public service to our citizens.

 CALENDAR

The Board of Supervisors holds their regular business meetings on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, beginning at 4:00 p.m., with public input beginning at 6:00 p.m. The Board's monthly public hearings are on the second Wednesday of the month, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The Board schedule for September is as follows:

4 September
4:00 p.m.
BOS General Business Meeting
(with public input as early as 6:00)

11 September6:00 p.m.
BOS Public Hearing

18 September4:00 p.m.
BOS General Business Meeting
(with public input as early as 6:00)

 OTHER BOARD NEWS

Action Reports

The Board's 3 July BOS Business Meeting and Public Input Session, the 10 July BOS Public Hearing and the Board's 17 July Business Meeting and Public Input Session Action Reports are posted on Facebook and my website.