Batson to replace Dodd as Washington Town Clerk

Washington Town Clerk Laura Dodd, who recently announced her retirement after holding the post for more than 16 years, will be replaced by Rixeyville resident Barbara Batson.

So Washington Mayor Fred Catlin announced at Monday’s meeting of the Town Council.

“I am thrilled that Barbara has accepted the offer from the town to be our new town clerk,” Catlin told this newspaper Tuesday. “We have been honored to have Laura’s diligent work for the past 16 years and I look forward to having Barbara continue that good work as our new Town Clerk.”

Catlin said Batson has a wealth of experience in the private business sector, including “multifaceted administrative work, so her great skills set will meet the needs of the town.”

She will begin her duties on September 3, assisted during the transition “as needed” by Dodd.

In other action, the council:

Voted unanimously, after a very brief public hearing, to raise the town’s application fees for zoning and other land-use permits and applications. The new fees range from $25 for a minor permit to be reviewed by the Architectural Review Board (or $250 if it’s a “major” project), to $500 for a zoning variance application, $750 for a special exception or special use permit application, and $1,750 for a comprehensive plan amendment that also would require rezoning.

Unanimously approved the appointment of Jeanne Kauffmann to the town’s Planning Commission and Susannah Smith to the Architectural Review Board (ARB). Kauffmann, a 20-year county resident who recently moved into town, has served as an EMT with Flint Hill Volunteer Fire & Rescue and is on the board of Rappahannock Animal Welfare League. Smith is the town of Warrenton’s zoning administrator and has a background in historic preservation and environmental planning. She moved to Main Street a year and a half ago.