Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024

2023: Chesterfield's Year in Review

Happy New Year!

Talk about a tough act to follow. After perhaps the most successful year in Chesterfield history in 2022, the question became “What could the county do for an encore?” Turns out … quite a lot.

By keeping its focus on the core priorities of public safety, schools and infrastructure, and maintaining momentum in economic development, Chesterfield continued to provide exceptional quality of life for a growing, diverse community over the past 12 months. 

As we look ahead to 2024, take a few minutes to read our 2023 Year in Review on the Chesterfield On Point blog.

Board of Supervisors Holding 2024 Organizational Meeting Wednesday

The Chesterfield Board of Supervisors will convene its first meeting of the new year Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 6 p.m. in the Public Meeting Room, 10001 Iron Bridge Road.

The purpose of the annual organizational meeting is for the board to elect a chair and vice chair and adopt its meeting calendar for 2024.

The meeting will be available for viewing on Comcast Channel 98 and Verizon Channel 28, and live streamed on chesterfield.gov and the county’s YouTube channel. 

Recycle Live Christmas Trees for Free

Through Feb. 4 at Convenience Centers

Chesterfield residents can recycle live Christmas trees free of charge at both county convenience centers through Sunday, Feb. 4.

Trees must be free of all ornaments or decorations to be recycled.

The Northern Area Convenience Center is located at 3200 Warbro Road, while the address of the Southern Area Convenience Center is 6700 Landfill Drive. Both facilities are now open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Chesterfield Behind the Mic is an audio and video podcast focusing on the people, stories and happenings of #Cfield. You can watch and listen to all of the episodes at

http://www.Chesterfield.gov/Podcast.

On the latest episode of Chesterfield Behind the Mic, which drops tomorrow, we talk to Jim McConnell of Communications and Media about the year that was 2023 in Chesterfield County, looking at some of the stories that stood out to us most throughout the year on both the podcast and the Chesterfield On Point blog.

Latin Ballet of Virginia Performing 'Legend

of the Poinsettia' at the Perkinson Center

The Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education is excited to bring Latin Ballet of Virginia's Legend of the Poinsettia to the Jimmy Dean Theater, with four performances this week.

Showtimes are Friday, Jan. 5 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 6 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 7 at 3 p.m.

Legend of the Poinsettia is a story based on the Mexican legend of a pure hearted young girl, Maria, who discovers the true spirit of giving. Unable to offer a gift of material value, she picks a handful of weeds that magically transform into brilliant crimson flowers and thus the custom of giving poinsettias during the holidays is born. 

The Latin Ballet’s production of Legend of the Poinsettia elegantly portrays the Hispanic traditions of the season. Dances and music demonstrate cultural celebrations with aguinaldos, gaitas, rumbas and plenas. The spiritual reverence of the season is combined with the joy and laughter of the traditional festivities of dance and song.

Midlothian District Supervisor Mark Miller Hosting Community Conversations in January

Midlothian District Supervisor Mark Miller will host two community conversations with Midlothian residents this month. Citizens will have the opportunity to ask questions, share thoughts about topics or issues in the community and discuss solutions.

The meetings will be limited to 30 participants each, to have more personal, in-depth conversations. To allow as many residents as possible the opportunity to attend, citizens will be limited to one meeting.

Residents are asked to register for one of the following two meeting options:

• Thursday, Jan. 11, 1:30-3 p.m, Bon Air Library, 9103 Rattlesnake Road
• Thursday, Jan. 18, 6:30-8 p.m., A.M. Davis Elementary, 415 S. Providence Road

Dale District Supervisor Jim Holland Hosting Community Conversations This Month

Dale District Supervisor Jim Holland will host two community conversations with Dale residents this month. Attendees will have the opportunity to share thoughts about topics or issues of their choice, ask questions, and discuss solutions. 

The meetings, similar to those hosted by other Board of Supervisors members, will be limited to 30 participants each to provide an environment conducive to in-depth conversations.

Residents are asked to register for one of the following two meeting options:

• Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2-3:30 p.m., Central Library Large Meeting Room, 9501 Lori Road
• Monday, Jan. 22, 6:30-8 p.m., County Administration Building Lobby Conference Room, 9901 Lori Road

Beulah Recreation Center to be Closed Jan. 15-28

From Jan. 15 through Jan. 28, the Beulah Recreation Center and Parks and Recreation Administrative offices will be shut down while critical equipment is installed. This equipment was not available during the building renovation due to supply chain challenges.

Staff will be available for program registration and customer service needs at the Rose Building, 6701 Mimms Loop, at the County Government Complex, during this time. Staff and business will return to operations at the Beulah Recreation Center location on Monday, Jan. 29.

In an article posted to the Chesterfield On Point blog, you can learn about the county's ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of rising property assessments on household budgets.

Following a cumulative 4-cent reduction in Chesterfield's real estate tax rate over the past two years, the Board of Supervisors recently took action that ensures property owners in the county will receive at least one more penny of tax relief in 2024.

At its Dec. 13 meeting, the board authorized staff to advertise Chesterfield’s maximum real estate tax rate for 2024 at 90 cents per $100 of assessed value – a one-cent reduction from the current rate.

The advertised rate leaves the Board of Supervisors the flexibility to adopt any rate up to, but not higher than the one advertised, when it sets Chesterfield’s calendar year 2024 tax rates and approves the fiscal year 2025 budget in April.

Join Chesterfield County Public Library

for Virtual Author Talk with Rebecca Serle

Join us Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 8 p.m. as we kick off the New Year talking to Rebecca Serle about her journey writing epic love stories to span generations.

Learning the love story formula with Serle, we’ll chat with the author about her New York Times bestselling novels One Italian Summer, In Five Years, The Dinner List, and many more. Additionally, in a special preview, Serle will briefly discuss her forthcoming novel (due out on March 5, 2024) Expiration Dates.

In addition to being a bestselling author, Serle also developed the hit TV adaptation Famous in Love, based on her YA series of the same name. She is a graduate of USC and The New School and lives in Los Angeles with her husband.

Hi there, I'm Banana!

I am a male, 3-year-old, 55lb. Hound mix. The world is a little bit scary to me right now, but with lots of love and care I will come around. Even though I'm a little scared, I am a very, very sweet boy that could use some cuddles.

After some cuddling time, you will probably see me do a really cute big stretch. Also, I do like other dogs. I did test positive for Heartworms, but I am on medication which will go home with me! If you love a shy boy like me, please come and see me today!

If you are interested in meeting this pet, please contact Chesterfield County Animal Services at 804-748-1683, option "2," to schedule an appointment. Office staff are available by phone 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Our shelter is located at 9300 Public Works Road.

Report Illicit Discharges to County Storm Sewer

System By Calling 24-Hour Hotline

Chesterfield County’s stormwater ordinance prohibits unmanaged and intentional non-stormwater discharges to the county’s storm sewer system. It also prohibits connecting any structure or device that conveys any liquid other than stormwater to the county’s storm sewer system without prior authorization.

What classifies as illicit discharge?

• Automotive fluids
• Herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers
• Paints, solvents and household chemicals
• Pet waste
• Sewage
• Yard waste, grass clippings, and leaves

To report an illicit discharge, please call our 24-hour hotline at 804-717-6161.

For more information, please visit the Reporting Illicit Discharges page on the county website.

NARCAN Nasal Spray Available

For Free at All Chesterfield Libraries

Naloxone, a medication that reverses an opioid overdose, is available free of charge at all Chesterfield County Public Library locations. If you or a loved one is experiencing an addiction to or have been prescribed opioids, you should have Naloxone on hand.

For more information, visit the CCPL website.

Social Services Can Connect You

With Quality Childcare Providers

Let Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Social Services help you and your family connect with the right tools to find quality childcare!

Visit www.childcare.virginia.gov to learn more about:

* Eligibility for financial assistance

* How to apply for childcare subsidy, if eligible

* Information on childcare providers in your area and much more!

Considering the expectation for snow coming this winter, now is the time for residents to familiarize themselves with all of the different ways that Chesterfield County puts out emergency information.

One of those is Chesterfield Alert, an opt-in system that sends messages directly to you in the event of an emergency. This system can send out alerts via text, email, and phone call depending on how the subscriber chooses to receive the messages. Sign up today!

Click here to learn more about how you can get accurate, up-to-date information from Chesterfield in the event of an emergency.

Searching for some independence? Find yourself having to call on family or friends to get you where you need to be?

Access on Demand is a same day, door-to-door, point-to-point service for citizens registered for mobility services. Destinations must be located within Chesterfield County, unless for work or medical appointments.

Each one-way trip is $6 and will be charged to your debit or credit card at the time of pick-up. Ride reservations must be made at least two hours in advance by calling an authorized provider for same-day service.

Register online, see if you qualify, and learn more about this service.

Did you know your group or organization can request a speaker from the #Cfield Speakers Bureau? The Speakers Bureau features a variety of topics on current and timely subjects from county leaders who are eager to talk to your group or organization.

Our subject-matter experts want to be your best resource for getting answers to important questions about Chesterfield. Topics include:

✅ District update – Request your board member to speak

✅ Preparing for an emergency - Emergency Management

✅ Senior resources in Chesterfield - Office of Aging and Disability Services

✅ Chesterfield Cooperative Extension - Master Gardeners

✅ So much more.

Thomas Dale High baseball field wins Field of the Year 

The baseball field at Thomas Dale High was named Field of the Year by the Virginia Sports Field Managers Association. The statewide award is given to only one K-12 school (either public or private) each year. Students in Bryan Sheetz’s agricultural classes maintain all of the athletic fields at Thomas Dale High. See more photos on the school website and watch this video to see how students are learning marketable skills while making a meaningful difference at their school.

Much more than soda tabs

At Manchester High, Trish Angle's vocation classes are collecting soda tabs for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond. So far, they have collected 39.4 pounds of aluminum tabs.

In addition to benefiting families who stay at the Ronald McDonald House while their children are receiving medical treatment, this project allows Manchester High students to practice measurement, explore science (they use magnets to find and discard tabs that are not aluminum) and develop packaging skills. 

Anyone who would like to support this ongoing project can drop soda tabs at Manchester High after winter break and ask that they be delivered to Trish Angle. See more photos on the school website.