Greene County Government Offices will be closed on

Monday, September 2, 2024, in honor of Labor Day.

Administration

From the Administrator's Desk

As August ends with temperatures approaching 100 degrees, it seems mother nature wants to make sure we don’t forget it’s still summer. As we transition from summer to the crisp autumn days that make you want to be outside, I’m ready for one of our family’s favorite fall activities: apple picking. I have taken my kids apple picking since they were old enough to walk. Even though they are much older, they still enjoy the activity of picking their own stash of “good apples.” Most years we collectively pick between 80-90 pounds of apples to have plenty for lunches, but also the seasonal apple butter, apple fritters, apple dumplings, fried apples, dried apples, etc. At various times my kids have declared the abundance of apples (and peanuts) are why they will always want to live in Virginia. Indeed, we are fortunate to live in a beautiful place with so many natural resources. The coming of fall also means more festivals, and I hope to see you at the Greene Care Clinic’s Fun Fair and the Virginia Clay Festival!

Courthouse construction done

DMV coming to Greene in Sept.

The Mobile Department of Motor Vehicles office will be at the County Administration Building on Monday, September 9, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be closed for lunch from 12:30-1:30 p.m. See information below about what is available at this helpful location. DMV will be set up in the County Meeting Room at 40 Celt Road in Stanardsville. There is no testing at mobile hours. And no appointment is necessary.

Want to give back to the county?

The Greene County Board of Supervisors is seeking individuals interested in improving the quality of life in Greene County to participate as a member of a County board, commission, or committee. Vacancies are advertised at various times throughout the year, and opportunities are available now to serve on various citizen member organizations.

Current Opportunities

• Board of Equalization (2)
• Board of Zoning Appeals
• Board of Zoning Appeals Alternate
• Board of Zoning Appeals - Town of Stanardsville
• Ruckersville Advisory Committee
• Agricultural & Forestal District Committee
• Tourism Council (3)

The Board of Supervisors invites citizens interested in making a difference through public service to submit an appointment profile, which can be found on the Administration page under helpful documents. Completed forms should be submitted to the County Administrator’s Office. See document with Board and Committee descriptions. Open until filled. Call 434-985-5201 with any questions.

Appointment Profile-Printable

Board Descriptions-Printable

September government meetings

Printable calendar

Parks & Recreation

The Fall/Winter Activity Guide is available online

Lions Club donates adaptive swing

Photo left to right: Stephanie Dowell, Lions Club Treasurer, Justin Bullock, GCPR Director, Janice Morris, Lions Club Past President, George Long, Lions Club Past President, and Jeannie Long, Lions Club Past Secretary.

Introduction to Leather Tooling

Discover the art of leatherworking in a fun, beginner-friendly class designed for everyone! Under the expert guidance of Barbara Cato, you'll create beautiful projects using the Tandy Leather Basic 7 toolset.

What You'll Create:

• Coaster 
• Key Fob 

What You'll Learn:

• Step-by-step instructions with detailed images of each phase make it easy to follow along and practice at home!

Why Join?

• All Tools & Materials Provided
• Perfect for Newbies & Those Looking to Sharpen Their Skills
• Support a Great Cause - All of Barbara's profits are donated to the Greene County Animal Shelter!

Register Now at www.playgreene.com and start your leatherworking journey! 

Outdoor Movie in the Park

Join us for a free movie under the stars shown on our inflatable screen on September 28, 2024, at 7 p.m. Grab the entire family and meet us at the event stage at the Greene County Community Park. Concessions will be available for purchase. No alcohol is permitted. Please be sure to bring folding chairs and or blankets to the outdoor movie night. This fun family event is FREE to attend for all!

Introduction to Pickleball

Pickleball is the fastest-growing adult sport in the country. This introduction course will teach participants basics of the game including, equipment, game play, rules, scoring, serving, and game etiquette. All equipment needed for participation will be provided. Will be held Sept. 29 and Oct. 20 with registration deadlines of Sept. 23 and Oct. 15.

Plan for 2024 Spooktacular!

Mark your calendars for the 2024 Greene County Spooktacular! More details regarding trunk vendor opportunities will be released soon. The event is co-sponsored by GCPR, Greene County Sheriff's Office, and Greene County 4-H. There will be games, crafts, costume contest, and a community trunk or treat. Watch the GCPR Facebook page for more information!

Economic Development & Tourism

SBDC Greene County office hours

September 2024 Event Flyer

Greene County Tourism has started a new weekly email distribution showcasing upcoming events in the area. Sign up for the new emails at this link. The Greene Visitor Center works to keep the events calendar up-to-date and requests that if you're having an event you want to be shared with the community that you contact them through this calendar wizard. The events calendar is available online and make sure you have "All" selected for the category to see everything.

Printable Calendar

Virginia Clay Festival

Held in the town of Stanardsville, the Virginia Clay Festival is an art show celebrating the creative possibilities of clay. It's held at the William Monroe High School cafeteria and commons, 254 Monroe Drive, Stanardsville. Pets are not allowed. There's free admission and parking. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2024, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 22, 2024. Food trucks will be on site both days. Visit the website and Facebook page to see examples of the amazing artwork that will be for sale at this year's event.

Public Safety

Be Ready GCVA Sign Up Today

Tropical Storm Debby slammed out region in the early-morning hours of August 9, bringing several inches of rain to our drought-ridden riverbanks and fields. The resulting flooding destroyed several roadways, including Mutton Hollow and South River Road. This storm wasn't as devastating as the rains in 2018, but showcased again the need to be aware of potential damaging weather.

Greene County has transitioned to CivicReady from CodeRed for emergency alerts. CivicReady is a free opt-in communications service that allows users to customize their notification preferences and will allow non-emergency information to be sent to those who subscribe based on their choices. Sign up online at online at https://shorturl.at/bmrTW.. To receive ONLY emergency text messages to your phone text “GCVA” to 38276.

The new system will allow Greene County to reach residents, visitors, businesses, and employees regardless of location within the county and provide actionable information. The ability to notify residents in an emergency is only as good as the database of numbers. Due to Federal laws, each resident MUST opt-in for alerts of any kind. It’s especially important that residents include cell phones as a means for communication to receive alerts no matter where you are within the community. Additionally, many people only have cell phones for communication, therefore linking it to your home address is vitally important in case of address-specific emergency alerts. Businesses are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts as well.

Users can subscribe to receive non-emergency information from: Emergency Services; Greene County Government; Parks & Recreation; Registrar; Sheriff’s Office; Treasurer; and Water & Sewer. Additional non-emergency groups may be added in the future if the need arises.

D.A.R.E Officer of the Year!

Congratulations to Deputy Tash for being chosen the Virginia D.A.R.E. Officer of the year 2024! He was presented the award at the School Resource Officer Conference in Hampton, VA. Deputy Tash is the School Resource Officer for Nathanael Greene Primary School.

Cornhole tourney supports DARE

SVFD golf tournament set

Water & Sewer

Lead Service Line Inventory Under Way

Greene County Water & Sewer Department received a grant from the Virginia Department of Health earlier this year to begin a Lead Service Line Inventory of its infrastructure, and that includes lead and copper pipes that go into homes. Beginning this fall, customers will notice more information regarding this study and will be asked to report back regarding their own pipes. This is due to the Lead and Copper Rule from the Federal Government. More information will be distributed on the Water & Sewer website in the near future, and watch for notices regarding surveys to be completed by homeowners directly.

Voter Registration

Planning for Nov. Election

The registrar's office is already gearing up for the November 5, 2024, election with the following offices on the ballot:

• President and Vice President
• Member United States Senate
• Member House of Representatives 7th District
• Special Election for Greene County Treasurer
• Proposed Constitutional Amendment
• Special Election for Stanardsville District - Member Board of Supervisors
• Special Election for Stanardsville Town - Council Member

Early voting for the election begins on Friday, September 20, 2024, and will take place at the Annex at 32 Stanard Street in Stanardsville. During "election season" the Registrar's Office and early voting will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. (Current non-election hours are 8:30 a.m. - noon and 1-5 p.m.)

Absentee ballots are available to Greene County Residents. The application is located on the website under Helpful Documents and must be submitted by October 25, 2024. 

The Registar's Office cannot answer questions regarding any candidate on the ballot. Voters are encouraged to do their own research via online newspapers or visiting the candidates' websites.

Commissioner of Revenue

Information About Land Use

The Land Use Assessment Program has a minimum requirement for agriculture and horticulture of five (5) acres (excluding a one (1) acre home site) and a five (5) year farming history when applications are made. Forest Land Use has a twenty (20) acre minimum acreage requirement.

Taxpayers who are interested in participating in the Land Use Program must contact the Commissioner's Office at (434) 985-5211. Submission dates are between September 1 and November 2. Late filing fees are applied November 3 through December 31.

ATTENTION: LAND USE APPLICATIONS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER DECEMBER 31 FOR THE FILING YEAR.

Community Development

Jennings Loop-New Traffic Pattern

As the development of WaWa progresses on the southeast corner of Route 29 and 33, the property owner will reroute Jennings Loop as indicated on the attached rendering. This change will occur this week and is projected to continue until the end of the year. To review the WaWa site plan, please see the link below. 

https://www.greenecountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/Index/108

August Monthly Report

The next Citizen Academy will be held on November 14, 2024, with the topic Schools.

Land disturbance permits were issued for two sites: WaWa Entrance and Grading Plan and the improvements at the Tech Center.

Move Safely Blue Ridge update: This is the effort to create a regional plan to reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries for all road users through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program. During September, the consultant will be making site visits to  intersections and road segments that have been identified as areas needing safety improvements. The study is in progress and events, data and information are updated as it is completed. To learn more about the study, local citizen workshops,  and recommendations as they are developed, please visit https://movesafelyblueridge.com/.

Site and Subdivision Plans: Preliminary and final site and subdivision plans can be viewed at the following link:

https://www.greenecountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/Index/56

Virginia Cooperative Extension

Well Water Testing Available

We are currently taking sign-ups for our 2024 well water testing clinic. Did you know that if you have a private well YOU are responsible for the maintenance of it? We recommend testing at least once every three years, and more if you have an immunocompromised individual living in your house.

Sign up here- https://forms.gle/vqHq3dz8JPr8vadn7

E-mail Sarah Sharpe at seweaver@vt.edu if you have any questions!

Culpeper Soil & Water Conservation District

Septic cost share available

Homeowners, do you have your own septic system? When was the last time you had it pumped out or inspected? Do you know how well it functions? As a homeowner, it is in your best interest and beneficial for local streams and groundwater to maintain your system and the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District is here to help!

Effective July 1, the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District has just recently received additional funding for its residential septic cost share program which allows the District to expand its eligible area in Greene County to the full County. Previously, it was limited to just the Rapidan watershed area. Now the entire County can benefit.

This program is focused on reducing any existing or potential impacts on local ground and surface water quality. E. Coli bacteria in some local streams has long been identified as being higher than expected by state water quality standards, although other pollutants can also be involved, particularly nutrients. An additional benefit to the property owner is the assurance that their system is up to standards and functions properly. It is a win-win for both water quality and property value.

If you have not had your septic system pumped out in the last five years and you are a resident of Greene you are now eligible! Residential properties only. A basic pump out of your septic tank and an inspection are the best insurance for maintaining a functional system.

Pump outs with an inspection extend the life of a system and prevent higher costs later on if the systems fail. If further repairs are indicated by the pump out and inspection, the owner is still eligible for the additional repair payments. Applications are required and need to be approved prior to the work being done or funding can be declined. Free assistance with initial assessments of individual system needs is available from the District. Reimbursement payments are made promptly once the work has been completed. The program is entirely voluntary and assistance from the District is free of charge.

Further information on the program is available from the District at 540-948-7531 or 540-825-8591. Funding for these projects has been secured by the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District and from the Environmental Protection Agency through the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Non Point Source Program, Commonwealth of Virginia.

The program offers 50% reimbursement for any occupied residential property, with up to 80% for low-income households. See chart below.

Greene Care Clinic

Greene Health & Wellness Fun Fair

Printable flyer

Printable flyer

Greene County Lion's Club

Support the Lion's Club

Printable document

Old Rag Master Naturalists

Sign Up for Naturalist Training

CACF at Greene County Library

The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation (CACF) is coming back to Greene County! Members of their staff will be spending a few hours at the Greene Public Library on Thursday, September 5 from 1-4 p.m. We hope you will consider coming by to say hello, meet some new staff, and hear about their grant and capacity-building programs. Several nonprofits in Greene County, including Feeding Greene, have benefited greatly through CACF's grant programs and we are so appreciative of the ways they've reached out to our community!

Tour de Greene accepting applications

Registration is open for the 18th Annual Tour de Greene cycling event on October 12, 2024. Proceeds will go to Feeding Greene, the food pantry of Greene County. Tour de Greene is a fully supported ride with rest stops and lunch provided. There are three routes to choose from: 21 miles; 45 miles; Metric Century. All routes are road routes this year. Registration is $50 until September 29, 2024, and $60 until October 10, 2024. There is no same day registration. Riders start at 9 a.m., beginning and ending at the Stanardsville Station, 126 Main Street, Stanardsville. For more information, and to register, visit the Tour de Greene website.

Prepare for Holiday Celebrations Dec. 7