Post office and Baby Shark consume Council meeting

‘Everybody is sick and tired of getting their mail in Sperryville.’

The U.S. Postal Service was expected by the close of business Wednesday to have signed off on final construction plans for the new Washington Post Office, which would leave only local and state permits to be issued for ground to be finally broken.

Washington Mayor Fred Catlin informed the Town Council on Tuesday that he was provided the positive update earlier that day by developer Tim Tedrick of Mid Atlantic Postal Properties.

“He obviously wishes that he had been able to move much sooner, but he has to deal with an extra level of administration, which is the federal — the U.S. Postal Service,” Catlin pointed out

he mayor said he feels the public’s pain in dealing with the construction process, particularly given the closure of the old post office on Main Street.

“Everybody is sick and tired of getting their mail in Sperryville,” he agreed.

The new 2,000 square-foot brick post office will be built on Leggett Lane near its intersection with Warren

Avenue. Tedrick said once construction begins it will take “sixty days” to complete.

In other action at its monthly meeting Tuesday, the council unanimously approved a lease ($550 per month) for a new town government office, to be located in the recently renovated old Washington School on Mt. Salem Avenue.

The office has been working out of less-than-productive space on the second floor balcony of historic Town Hall.

“The movers come Friday,” announced Catlin, adding that Town Council and other government board meetings would still be held at Town Hall.

Council members, meanwhile, were provided an update on the Town of Washington Christmas Parade, which is set to march on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 1:30 p.m.

Parade director Thom Pellikaan hinted at the meeting that fan favorites of the World Series Champion Washington Nationals will figure prominently in the 2019 parade, ie. presidential race mascot George Washington and everybody’s favorite “Baby Shark.”

“It’s going to be an exciting parade!” said Pellikaan.

For the first time this year, award plaques provided by an anonymous donor will be presented to the winners of the various parade categories.