The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors brokered a deal Wednesday that will keep the Hatton Ferry operating for the next three months.
The board agreed to give the Virginia Department of Transportation $9,300 in county funds to keep the ferry running through Oct. 1. If it doesn’t end up costing the full amount to run the ferry, VDOT agreed to give the extra money back to the county.
The ferry on the James River near Scottsville is one of the nation’s only poled ferries still in operation, and would have been shutdown Wednesday had supervisors not reached an agreement with VDOT.
The ferry operates only on weekends, except when the river’s water level is too high or low. VDOT announced in May that it would eliminate funding for the ferry as part of an effort to trim $2.6 billion out of the agency’s budget over the next six years.
Operating the ferry for the next three months is expected to cost between $5,280 and $9,340. The county hopes to be reimbursed by private donations through a fundraising campaign coordinated by Supervisor Lindsay G. Dorrier Jr., who represents the Scottsville area, and the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society.
Supervisors had found themselves in a tight situation, with dried up discretionary funds competing against what residents call a community asset and a tourist attraction.
Supervisors had said the county didn’t have enough money to spend on things that aren’t necessities, so they decided it would be best to use private funds to keep the ferry running temporarily. They’ll have to front the money until donations begin trickling in.
Allan Sumpter, Charlottesville residency administrator for VDOT, said that the department would no longer manage the ferry beginning Oct. 1. County officials say they’re not willing to take on the management role either.
“To me, it would be appropriate for a nonprofit to take this over,” Supervisor Dennis S. Rooker said.
Operating the ferry hasn’t been cheap. Over the winter, VDOT spent about $40,000 to rehabilitate the float. VDOT expects expensive repairs to the ferry’s cable system and support towers will be necessary within a year or two, which could cost $30,000 to $50,000.
Rooker said that the town of Scottsville and Buckingham County should also participate in fundraising efforts, since residents from both areas are major users.
Anyone wishing to contribute may send a donation to the Hatton Ferry Fund, c/o Old Dominion National Bank, P.O. Box 321, Scottsville, VA 24590.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Results Loading...