Minutes from Rattlesnake Mountain Association Meeting, August 2

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM.

1. Election of new secretary

  Carolyn Peery was elected secretary of the association to fill the remainder of the term vacated by Catherine Corish.

2. Improved internet access in the neighborhood

 Lauren Fillmore and Carol Scott discussed two options for improved service.

• Lauren talked with Verizon Wireless. They told her there is a band of coverage using Verizon's Broadband Wireless on both sides of much of Fiery Run Road from the Marriott Ranch to Rte 55. Some people reported success with this, but Lauren says it doesn't work from her home. To test access from your home, you can get the service for three days from the Sales Office at 251 Lee Highway in Warrenton (540-341-1903), and cancel if it doesn't work. Rob Pulliam told us that you can improve limited service by acquiring an accelerator to boost cell coverage.
• Carol reported that Tom Gordon has rolled out a local broadband service which she is quite happy with. He has installed equipment near her property. To contact him, call 540-675-2700. Carol will invite him to speak at the next meeting, in November.

3. Update on Dominion Power

Jim Moorman updated the group on recent updates related to the Dominion plans.

-  Hearing Examiner for the State Corporation Commission (SCC) reopened the hearings on June 9.  The report, issued the last week in July basically gave Dominion most of what they had requested, through existing right of way.

-   By August 18, interested parties can submit comments on the report to the full commission, which at this time has only two members, as the third position is vacant.

-  The full commission must agree with the hearing examiner's recommendations in order to proceed.

-  If the commission agrees the next step to challenge the plans will be to appeal to the Va. Supreme Court.

In summary the Dominion plan so far follows existing power lines.  When it crosses the 11-12 conservation easements, it will go taller rather than wider, creating double towers for over 7 miles.

Jim thinks there is little chance to stop the current plan unless the W. VA commission doesn't approve the Allegheny Power portion.

4. Other business 

• Rob Pulliam reported about the success of the cleanup of the dumps near Mt. Paran Church , and what a good job the county did with clean up.  Rob also noted that there was one remaining pile of metal, mostly old car parts, to be picked up.  Subsequently, a tour of the site revealed that the parts have been removed and that all access to the dumping area has been blocked.
• Rob also resigned as web master, and Alex Armstrong agreed to take leadership in maintaining the web site. 

The meeting adjourned at 7 PM.  The next meeting will be held on Saturday, November 1, at Linden Vineyards.   Community members are strongly encouraged to share their issues or concerns about topics important to them.  Please contact Bruce Haslam at 202-487-8744 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to add them to the association's next agenda.

As always, the association expresses special thanks to Jim Law for the wonderful venue!