Parksley council authorizes agreements tied to downtown grant work, with one council no vote

The Parksley Town Council on Dec. 9 approved several agreements needed to advance a downtown revitalization grant, authorizing Mayor Wayne Marshall to sign an administration agreement with the Accomack‑Northampton Planning District Commission (ANPDC) and to enter amended professional services and project-management agreements with Hill Studio.

Councilman Dan Matthews moved to have the mayor sign the Administration Agreement between the town and ANPDC pending the full grant offering from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD); the motion passed with recorded ayes from Russell, Nash, Matthews and Welch. The council also discussed and approved an amended Agreement for Professional Services with Hill Studio (which would cover design, bidding and construction oversight) and a Project Management Plan that formalizes committees and responsibilities for the grant. Councilwoman Julie Nash voted no on some items; Councilman Frank Russell recorded conditional ayes pending clarification that the town would retain final authority and that Hill Studio would not levy unreasonable charges for plan changes. Clerk Letitia Greer said she would verify contract charge language where needed so the mayor could sign by an upcoming Friday deadline.

Council members emphasized that business owners would work with Hill Studio on façade designs, that DHCD approvals remain required for many grant-funded changes, and that the Project Management Plan confirms who oversees tasks and how funds will be distributed. Councilman Russell said the council can make changes if an archaeological or environmental issue arises during work.

The council also adopted an ordinance to move town elections from May to November and extend current terms to Dec. 31 of the election year; that ordinance passed unanimously.

Next steps included Clerk Greer checking with Hill Studio on change-order charges, the mayor signing the administrative documents once clarifications are confirmed, and committee members continuing coordination with ANPDC and DHCD.