12 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 15 Number 6


Around Hampton Roads Applicants needed for city


boards and commissions CHESAPEAKE -- The Chesapeake City Council is seeking residents who may be interested in serving on various boards and commissions. Boards and commissions provide a vital service to various City departments, agencies, and City Council.


Citizens wishing to serve must complete an application form. Applications are due in the City Clerk’s office by March 31, 2021. City Council will appoint candidates for these vacancies during its April 27, 2021 meeting.


Applications are currently being accepted for the following City Council appointed boards and commissions:


• Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Healthcare Board


1 vacancy •


Citizen Advisory Committee (of CLBA) 3 vacancies


(Greenbrier Rep, Indian River Rep, Western Branch Rep) •


Fine Arts Commission


2 vacancies •


• 1 vacancy


(Individual/Family Member – Visual Disability) •


1 vacancy •


1 vacancy (Business Owner)


Applications are currently being accepted for the following Mayor appointed board:


• Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council 1 vacancy


For more information or to apply, contact the City Clerk’s office at 382-6151, or visit Boards and Commissions at the City of Chesapeake’s website, cityofchesapeake.net


Tax relief may be available for elderly or disabled homeowners


Hampton homeowners are reminded that the city's commissioner of revenue administers a program that could provide tax relief for the elderly or disabled. Those 65 and older, or those who are permanently and totally disabled, may be eligible.


Minimum qualifications include a combined gross household income of $50,000 or less from all sources, and owning and occupying the home on or before Jan. 1 of the year you apply for tax relief.


Residents received their home assessments earlier this month, and many showed increases. Those assessments are used as the basis for the tax bills due in December. The application period for tax relief runs from May to August.


Please go online for more information about the tax relief program and upcoming deadlines. You can also contact the Commissioner of the Revenue's office at 757-727-6690.


Waterworks deploying Smart Meters across service area beginning March 1


Tidewater Community College Board Transportation Toll Facility Advisory Committee


Cities join forces to promote public project procurement


Groundwater Committee 1 vacancy


Hampton Roads Disabilities Board


March 2021


Over the past year, Waterworks has worked with project partners, including Ferguson Enterprises, Mueller Co., ESource (formerly Excergy), and Deloitte, to build and test the project’s required infrastructure. The team installed over 1,200 test meters, integrated process systems, evaluated communication distance and meter box flooding, and studied the meter’s internal valve operations.


“Newport News Waterworks invested a great deal of time and resources during the testing phase to ensure we can deploy smart meters throughout the 225 square mile service area while minimizing disruptions to customers,” said Yann Le Gouellec, Director of Newport News Waterworks.


meters reduce the number of trucks on the roadway and the department’s carbon footprint, while eliminating monthly visits from meter readers. This full deployment of smart meters is an infrastructure improvement that will speed up issue resolution and identify problems in our system sooner for the benefit of our customers.”


“Smart


As smart meters are deployed throughout the service area, Newport News Waterworks anticipates launching a new customer service portal this fall. Enhanced options include access to more timely and detailed usage data and quick and easy service connection or disconnection. Waterworks will also be able to identify unusually high usage incidents and, in many instances, contact customers before they receive high bills.


Waterworks


subcontractor, Utility Partners of America (UPA), for the installation. UPA will send postcard notifications to homes 30 days before work is scheduled. On the day of installation, UPA will shut-off the water supply for approximately 20 minutes. When the work is done, UPA will leave a door hanger at the home. All work will be completed outside and residents do not need to be home while their meter is being replaced. Since water will be temporarily shut off, residents are encouraged to flush an outside or indoor faucet to remove any residual air or discolored water.


has partnered with Ferguson Enterprises and their


For more information on the smart meter installation project, visit www. nnva.gov/2212 or call the UPA project hotline at 757-304-3291.


opportunities NORFOLK, VA - More than $5 Billion of construction projects are gearing up and city economic departments are looking for local contractors and entrepreneurs to attend a virtual event on March 16th and 17th from 9AM – 12PM on both days. This two-day, virtual event is a one-stop opportunity to learn from the experts and to create a win-win-win for everyone.


The “Bridging The Connection” virtual event will begin on day one with a welcome from Mayor Kenneth C. Alexander of Norfolk and Mayor Donnie R. Tuck of Hampton. The interactive sessions that follow will include Virginia partners from The Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity and will provide participants information about certifications and award requirements. Overall, the sessions over the two days will provide an overview of what the projects entail, instructions on how to navigate the bidding process, and information on what’s coming next.


City project representatives will review upcoming opportunities for Norfolk’s St. Paul’s Transformation of Tidewater Gardens, and Hampton’s Mary Jackson Neighborhood Center and Aquatic Center.


In partnership with this two-day event is Hampton Roads Connector Partners (HRCP). HRCP is the design-build contractor for the $3.8 Billion Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project. In addition to contracting opportunities, there are many jobs coming available soon.


This free virtual event is via WebEx and requires registration at www. eventbrite.com/e/bridging-the-connection-two-cities-two-sessions-many- opportunities-tickets-140331283647.


Assistance for customers affected financially by


Newport News Waterworks is beginning the much-anticipated smart meter installation project. This project will last approximately two and a half years, as crews upgrade over 130,000 existing meters in Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, York County and part of James City County. Work will begin next week in midtown Newport News and upper York County. Residents and businesses are encouraged to visit the Smart Meter Installation Project website to track progress and see when work will take place in their area.


COVID-19 and Tax Relief news PORTSMOUTH – Have you loss a job? Are you under employed and in financial hardship due to COVID-19? Assistance is currently available for unpaid utility bill balances under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. If you have been financially affected by COVID-19, and would like to apply for the assistance, please complete this form on the City of Portsmouth's website.


Assistance is offered on bills dated March 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. Citizens may apply for funds as many times as they need assistance. This funding is applied to the water and sewage portions of the Portsmouth Utilities Bill. Please Act Now! Funds can be awarded to active and inactive


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