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News and Events for the Lovettsville Area

Mayor's Message 

Happy New Year Lovettsville!
 
Today is the last day of one of the most humbling, enjoyable, and favorite journeys I have ever been on.  Today is last day, of the almost 9 years, that I officially serve as one of your Planning Commissioners, Town Councilmembers, and Mayor. More on this in a moment, but first… I can’t wait to celebrate 2023 with everyone tomorrow morning for Berserkle on the Squirkle!

Berserkle in the Squirkle
Are You Ready to BERSERKLE TOMORROW??
 
Ber-serk-le [ber-zurk-url]
Noun: violently or destructively frenzied movement; wild running, crazed celebration; deranged thrashing about (typically while wearing silly hats): He suddenly went on a berserkle.
 
Squir-kle [skwair-kuhl]
Noun: mathematical shape with properties between those of a square and those of a circle. It is a special case of superellipse: He suddenly ran around the squirkle.
 
What better way to start off the New Year than with a 5K? 
  • A 5K where no one actually counts your laps.
  • A 5K run completely around the Squirkle/Zoldos Square.
  • A 5K where costumes are not only requested, they’re encouraged.
  • A 5K where you can win other people’s regifted Christmas gifts!
  • A 5K where you can run, skip, hop, crawl, or stop… at any point in the race.
  • A 5K where you can win by being the fastest, or you can win when your number is called at random.
  • A 5K where we can all say without reservation that we started off the New Year by “running a 5K.” On January 2nd, you’ll know you’ve already nailed 2023. 
Join us. You know you want to. 
  • Registration begins at 10:00am at the Squirkle/Zoldos Square.
  • The race begins at 11:00am.
  • Bring an unwanted, but in good condition, gift to be regifted.
  • 27 laps around the Squirkle if you dare… or don’t.
  • Wear a fun outfit. The crazier the better. There are prizes.
  • Have fun. Visit with your neighbors. Take pictures.
Let’s ring in the New Year Lovettsville Style!


Speed Signs in Town
You may have noticed a few speed signs up and around Lovettsville!  The Town Council and Staff have recently purchased a number of mobile speed signs that we can deploy to help reduce speed.  Even after installing the first one on Thursday, I noticed a driver accelerate, see the sign, then slow down!
 
I am excited to let you know that this next Council and Mayor will be continuing the Town’s efforts to introduce additional traffic calming measures around Town. 


Town Council Meetings 
Your next Town Council meeting is a Town Council Retreat on Saturday, January 7th at 8am.  The draft agenda includes:
  • Councilmember Training
  • Appointment of your new Vice Mayor
  • Committee Assignments
  • 2023 Calendar Meeting Schedule
  • Priorities for 2023
  • Annual review of Rules of Procedure, Proclamation Policy, Employee Policies & Procedures Manual, Financial Policy, FOIA Policy
 The next Regular Town Council meeting is Thursday, January 12th.

Starting tomorrow, if you have any questions or concerns, or simply want to verify information, please feel free to reach out to Mayor Chris Hornbaker, any member of Town Council, the Planning Commission, and/or the Town Manager and the Town will be more than happy to answer your questions. There are many projects in process and our staff works diligently to ensure their success. Reminder, our agendas, meeting materials, and previous meeting video recordings will be posted on our AV Capture solution.


Thank you Lovettsville - #LovettsvilleLiving
At the 2017 Oktoberfest Royalty Competition (our second failed run at King and Queen), each couple was asked to provide a one-minute declaration of why they loved Lovettsville. My wife and I decided ahead of time, that there is no way to summarize our love for this town within that time limit, and that we would just write it all down and go for it. In 60 seconds, we speed read a list of 60 items before our time limit was up. Again, I feel like there is not enough time to tell you all the reasons that we love this amazing town that we call home.

When I first ran for the position of Mayor, I signed a letter to you, the residents, with promises I would strive for:
  • Work to uphold the small town values that we enjoy, even finding ways to incorporate our amazing new residents during lockdowns and COVID restrictions.  We have held virtual and Facebook Live events, your First Lady organized drive by birthdays parties, meal trains, and so much more.  We have had parades for our Woodgrove state champions, and 3rd of July, and a fantastic return of fireworks in our amazing new Lovettsville Park!  We have worked to increase collaboration with the County at the library, community center, Board of Supervisors, the always professional and dedicated Loudoun County Sherriff’s Office, and Lovettsville Volunteer/Loudoun County Fire and Rescue!
  • Continue to push for sustainable economic growth that matches the small town American values held in Lovettsville. 
  • Increase sustainable commercial tax revenue that can decrease the significant over reliance on residential property taxes. I am very excited to have a fully leased Town Center Phase 1, and an almost fully leased Phase 2 (even while under construction).  We have annexed one successful business and another with great vision and passion into town with bright futures. We have huge investments in utilizing properties throughout the town and businesses that fit our community.  I love the fact we have become a foodie destination with SO many choices on types of food.
  • Ensure continued funding of reserves and Capital Improvement Plans to complete projects desired by residents, and ensure funding for infrastructure repairs are readily available.  With the diligent managing of your tax dollars, the Town is doing exceedingly well, even before the welcomed contributions of CARES and ARPA for utility work.  Since I have been on Town Council, and through my time as your Mayor, we always push to ensure that the bills are covered, and there is enough to fully fund our reserves. 
  • Work to further increase resident input and transparency in our documents, processes, and recognitions.  We have brought on virtual meeting platforms to make the meetings easier for anyone to attend and participate in.
  • Increase communication and transparency with Town decisions before the subcommittees, committees, boards, commissions, and the Council.
  • As a Planning Commissioner, and as a Town Councilman, I worked with the Commission and Town to create a new limited zoning annexation designation and ordinance, to reduce the annexation of new residential development land uses into the town.
I am very happy to say that I kept all these promises (even the added ones of getting a Mexican and Asian food restaurant) and working with Team Lovettsville (2 different Councils, the Planning Commission and most importantly the Staff) have achieved even more.
  • We were uniquely recognized by our independent auditors each year for maintaining our fiduciary responsibility, even during a global pandemic that drastically impacted revenues and increased expenditures.  We were recognized as one of the only localities that made operational changes to decrease expenditures in anticipation of drops in revenue.  Due to this, we have had full reserves and surpluses over the years with two different Councils!  Again, this is only possible due to the Councilmembers you have previously selected and an amazing staff.
  • We now have identified funding for sidewalks on S. Loudoun St, instead of continuing to shift this project to the next year and the next.  Keep in mind, this project is over $7 million and thanks to staff who always identify external sources of funding to help move this project up in the CIP.
  • We have completed the amendment to the Comprehensive Plan.
  • We have worked with the County to open the Lovettsville Community Center and Community Park.  These represent, hundreds of millions of dollars of investment by the County into the Top Town of Virginia.
  • We have completed the construction and removal of the old single wide trailer that served as Town Offices.  For those that don’t remember, prior efforts failed to make this strategic investment and the Town continued to use a trailer that had to be demolished on site as it was too unstable to move. 
  • We have worked to professionalize the Town Staff and we have worked with some amazing individuals. Just to name a few… Henry Pearson, Lance Gladstone, Harriet West, Karen Fellers, Josh Bateman, Steven Gates, Lisa Mullens who is the glue through all the change, Charlie Mumaw, John Merrithew, Joanne Cooper, Lizzy Fontaine, Tanya George, and the incredible management by Sam Finz and the stellar Jason Cournoyer.  We also have been working to professionalize and modernize our utility operations and that team is stellar and are thriving as the behind-the-scenes team.  They are regularly testing valves, pumps, filters, they are on call to come out in all weather for break fixes, they are some of the most talented utility folks we have ever worked with.  Thank you all!  At every holiday party, and any chance I get, I remind everyone that our Staff runs this Town.  We as Council and Commission members get to make policy decisions, sometimes good, sometimes not so good, but the Staff makes it all happen, and I can’t thank you all enough!
To the new Council and Mayor, thank you again for stepping in to the breach of elected service.  Thank you for bringing your individual strengths to lead the future of our amazingly strong Town.  The decision is to run is scary, so thank you!  As I said at your oath of office ceremony:
  • Remember those before you, remember our history as the Top Town of Virginia,
  • Remember our heritage of a strong independent Original German Settlement. 
  • Remember your new role is to seek council and advise from a wide array of citizens, experts, and staff to form your policy decisions
  • Remember that while higher office has more news coverage, YOU in these seats have more direct impact on day to day lives than any other layer of government.
  • Remember that every dissenting opinion always carries some truth
A Pew Study recently found that less than 19% of people trust the Federal Government to do what is right a majority of the time, roughly 50% for state governments, but over 72% trust their local governments to do what is right a majority of the time.  When you are in these seats, the maintenance and fostering its growth, is squarely in your hands.
 
I am excited to see where the Town of Lovettsville goes, and where new thoughts and approaches are utilized.  Always remember that we are the sum total of all that came before us.  At one point, around 1732, this was land, grass and trees, animals, and rivers.  Hard working folks made this farms with no trains, buses, cars, etc, then it was a village, then a town, then clean water and sewer, and on and on until today. The path to today was forged with true hardships (freezing cold, homes made out of logs and mud, bears, changing weather, etc.), with limited knowledge and their personal experiences to guide them, where today we have unlimited access to resources and knowledge and a very safe community.  If they survived and succeeded, if their combined efforts brought us to this amazing Top Town of Virginia, I have nothing but hope and expectations that you will succeed. 
It may get tough, it may get hard, but always rise above the fray, be something bigger than yourself.  If all those that came before us were able to succeed and get us here, you all can continue to push on and do your best for Lovettsville.  At midnight tonight, myself and three other Councilmembers pass the mic to you as new Councilmembers or new roles. The mic is heavy, but don’t you dare drop it.  Carry it forward, continue to move the Town forward, continue to keep Lovettsville as the Top Town of Virginia. 

As a child growing up, I was taught the importance of community service and always strived to give back to my community. I am proud to have earned the rank of Eagle Scout, with a Lifesaving Medal, from the Boy Scouts of America, and to be a 12 year Air Force Veteran maintaining both F-16 “Fighting Falcons” and F-22 Stealth “Raptors.”  Today, in my day job, I oversee the world wide cyber defense operations and compliance, for Immigration & Customs Enforcement, striving to enable those working to preserve our laws and freedoms.  As a 16 year member of the American Legion, I was very proud to have organized and led the creation of the new Lovettsville American Legion Post #1836 and to have been elected as the Post’s first and Founding Commander.

I have spent my entire life serving, and I thank you for the opportunity to have served the Town of Lovettsville, as your Mayor.  This is an amazing place, not due to Councils or the Mayors, but due to community and engagement by everyone.  This Top Town of Virginia always needs your support and partnerships to keep our Lovettsville quirky with that Small Town Feel.  Thank you all!  I will absolutely miss this job. I wish the next Council and Mayor success in their endeavors and will be available if you need support!  Thank you to my family for always being there and waiting for daddy to be the last one to leave or finish talking with everyone.  I look forward to spending more time with my family and enjoying my littles before they get any older.  To my partner and lifelong teammate, Lizzy, thank you for everything, and the Town is lucky to have you as their new Town Clerk.
 
In closing to paraphrase from the great General, Founding Father, and President George Washington…
Though, in reviewing the incidents of my administration, I am unconscious of intentional error, I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend. I shall also carry with me the hope that my town and county will never cease to view them with indulgence; and that, after (8.5) years of my life dedicated to its service with an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions (or campers) of rest.
 
Over this past month I have trying to come up with a new photo of everything amazing in Lovettsville and there is truly too much to capture in one image.  It has been a pleasure to celebrate you with the First Lady’s #LovettsvilleLiving section and the image is so very fitting of our “Top Town of Virginia”.  


As citizen Nate, starting tomorrow, I look forward to standing alongside you in the crowd, maybe allow myself to actually have a second beer at Oktoberfest this year, and to always continuing to be one of Lovettsville’s biggest cheerleaders. Cheers to YOU, and Happy New Year.

Signing off for the last time as your Mayor on this Mayor Email number 234,

~Mayor Nate

Town Hall Meetings

All Council, Commission, Board and Committee meetings will be held at the Town Hall, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville VA 20180 and Remotely. 

January 2
New Year's Day (Holiday-Town Offices Closed)

January 3
Oktoberfest Committee Meeting

January 4
Planning Commission

January 7
Town Council Retreat

January 10
Infrastructure Committee Meeting

January 11
Mayfest Committee Meeting

January 12
Town Council Meeting

FY23 Town Calendar (July 2022-June 2023)
The calendar includes Town Council and Planning Commission meetings, special events, and holiday office closures.

​  ***After Hour Emergencies***
If you have a water/sewer emergency after normal business hours (M-F from 8:30-4:30), please call 540-822-0155. For all other emergencies, call 911.

Sign Up for Alert Loudoun
Emergency Notification System
The Town of Lovettsville uses Alert Loudoun to provide emergency alerts, notifications, and updates.  Messages can be sent via E-mail (work, home, other), cell phone, pager, and Smartphone/PDA. Go to Alert Loudoun to create a new account or manage an existing account.  Select the "Town" group, then select the Town of Lovettsville. 

TOWN HALL FOOD PANTRY

The Town has resumed being a food pantry donation drop off point for nonperishable items. There is a bin/container located inside the door of the Administrative Building. Please place the items in the container and someone from the food pantry will pick it up when it is full. We appreciate your gratitude. 

Lovettsville Community Library 

  • Storytime Programs
    • Messy Mondays – Mondays at 10:00am
    • Baby Sensory Playdate – Tuesdays at 10:00am
    • Family Storytimes – Wednesdays at 10:00am
  • Family Events
    • Wednesday Wind Down – Wednesdays at 7:00pm
    • Art Buffet – Saturday, January 28th  at 10:00am
    • Movies Time: DC League of Super-Pets  –  Monday, January 23rd at 1:00pm 
    • Movie Night: March of the Penguins  –  Tuesday, January 17th at 7:00pm
  • Youth programs
    • Art and Autism (Elementary) – Saturday, January 7th at 2:00pm
    • Lunar New Year Celebration (K-8) – Saturday, January 21st at 2:00pm
    • Nintendo at the Library(K-12) – Tuesday, January 24th at 1:00pm
  • Teen Programs
    • It’s All Write – Loudoun County Public Library’s annual teen writing competition is coming back! Teens can submit a short story of 2,500 words or less for a chance to win $200. Entries are accepted from January 1st-March 1st.
    • D&D Club – Wednesdays at 5:30pm
    • Teen Time – Thursdays at 6:00pm
    • DIY Teens: Cookie Decorating – Saturday, January 14th at 2:00pm
  • Homeschool Enrichment
    • LEGO club (Birth-Elementary) – Fridays at 9:30am
    • Art (Elementary-Middle)– Thursday, January 5th at 2:00pm
    • Science (Elementary-Middle)– Thursday, January 19th at 2:00pm
  • Programs for Adults
    • Winter Read-a-thon – January 1st-March 20th Each hour spent reading or listening to a book counts as one mile in the great Winter Read-a-thon. Earn prizes along the way for hitting milestones. Track your progress online or on a printed reading log available at the branch. For more information, visit library.loudoun.gov/WinterRead
    • eResource Workshop– Wednesday, January 4th at 6:00pm
    • Paint with Acrylics led by artist Diane Dennis – Thursday, January 5th at 10:30am
    • Adult Book Club
    • Monday, January 30th at 1pm: The Sisters of the Winter Wood by Rena Rossner
  • Display Case Exhibit:
    • Staff Exhibit: Quilts

 Things to Note

  •  All libraries will be closed on the following days:
    • Sunday, January 1st for New Year’s Day
    • Monday, January 16th for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Pay Your Water and Sewer Bill Online w/Credit Card or E-Check 

The Town of Lovettsville encourages residents to register with Invoice Cloud in order to make Water and Sewer Bill payments online. You can register for an account by clicking here: Lovettsville Water and Sewer online. When registering your account, please be sure to provide the full account number, including the dash (ex: 00000-00). Click here for more information or copy and paste the direct link to your browser and save it as a favorite: https://www.invoicecloud.com/lovettsvilleva.  
 
Utilizing Invoice Cloud for your monthly Water and Sewer bill payments has many benefits and convenience for bill payers.  Currently, the Town absorbs all fees associated with e-check transactions, so the cost to you is no more than paying by cash or check.  Invoice Cloud offers other features such as autopay, paperless billing, and pay by text.  You also receive three emailed reminder notices before your bill's due date.  All payments post automatically to the Town’s billing software, eliminating the need for Town staff to manually post and deposit paper checks. 
 
You can also check your water meter data status at: https://getmymeter.info.  

Community Center Updates

SNOWFLAKE BALL
(Ages 2-10) You are cordially invited to a royal princess party! Come dressed in your fanciest princess dress. The Lovettsville Community Center will be filled with activities including princess crafts like a wand making station and a tiara making station. Light refreshments will be served. Register early as spaces are limited and this event will fill! No on-site registration. Please call 540-822-5284 or email Lovcc@loudoun.gov for more information.
Location: Lovettsville Community Center
202703-01 // $15 // Sat - 1/28 @ 1:00pm-2:30pm
 
LEGO MANIA
(Ages 3 & Up) Bring your Legos and Duplos to test your skill and creativity. We'll provide a theme for each age category and you do the building within a time limit. Prizes awarded. Register early as spaces are limited and this event will fill! No on-site registration. Please call 540-822-5284 or email Lovcc@loudoun.gov for more information.
Location: Lovettsville Community Center
202704-01 // $7 // Fri - 2/10 @ 6:30pm-8:00pm
 
SUPER HERO TRAINING ACADEMY
(Ages 3-10) Calling all superheroes! We need your help fighting Dr. Boredom. Are you willing to join our team? Lovettsville is hosting a one-day Superhero Academy to train all the superheroes. Come dressed in your best superhero costume! This event is filled with activities and superhero crafts. Light refreshments will be served. No on-site registration. Please call 540-822-5284 or email Lovcc@loudoun.gov for more information.
Location: Lovettsville Community Center
202705-01 // $15 // Sat - 2/25 @ 1:00pm-2:30pm

Think Before You Flush!

Friendly Reminder: Many people are using disinfecting wipes, paper towels, masks and gloves to maintain health protocols, the Town asks that residents please do not dispose of these products in the toilet. They do not break down like toilet paper and can clog your pipes and the Town’s sanitary sewer system.
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