Accomack courthouse repairs nearing completion; Supervisors approve $739K contract for inmate medical services

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File photo by Linda Cicoira Accomack Courthouse

By Carol Vaughn —

A $1.5 million repair project at the Accomack County Circuit Courthouse is nearing completion, according to Stewart Hall, deputy county administrator for public works and facilities.
Hall updated the Accomack County Board of Supervisors on capital projects at the board’s May 20 meeting.
Contractor Heartland Construction has completed most of the work, which included a roof, heating and air conditioning system, and masonry repairs, among other upgrades.
The work is expected to be completed by May 29.
Additionally, extensive renovation of a building at Sawmill Park to house the Voter Registrar Office is complete except for some wiring for television and computer hookups, Hall said.
The project cost around $226,000.
Another capital project, an addition to the Fire Training Center in Melfa that will serve as the county’s Emergency Operations Center, also is expected to be completed within the next week or so, according to Director of Public Safety Charles R. Pruitt.
Two other capital projects are ongoing.
Boat ramp and dock replacement at the Folly Creek landing is behind schedule, due in part to workers’ reluctance to cross the Maryland-Virginia to come to work during the coronavirus pandemic, Hall said.
Work recently resumed at the site, he said.
It was hoped the $481,000 project would be completed by Memorial Day, but it likely will be the end of June before the work is finished, according to Hall.
“Let’s kind of keep their feet to the fire,” said Supervisor Jackie Phillips, adding, “Once this weather breaks and we get into June, we are going to get more phone calls” from constituents.
Another capital project, a 0.8 mile extension of a county sewer line in the area of Four Corner Plaza and Chesapeake Square shopping center known as the northern wastewater spur, is ahead of schedule.
The $784,622 project, being constructed by Branscome, Inc., likely will be completed ahead of the target date of Sept. 21, according to Hall.

Jail medical contract approved

The board of supervisors authorized County Administrator Michael Mason to execute a contract with Mediko, Inc. to provide medical and mental health services to inmates at the Accomack County Jail. The initial contract is for two years, at an annual rate of nearly $739,000 the first year, according to a draft version of the contract included in the meeting packet.
The services to be provided also include pharmacy and lab services.
The board in April approved an amendment to the fiscal year 2021 budget to help pay for the services, which the sheriff is required to provide inmates.
Medical services at the jail until now have been provided by two fulltime employees and by third parties, including a doctor who comes to the jail.
Staff turnover and issues with future availability of third-party providers led to the county issuing a request for proposals earlier this year to outsource medical services at the jail.

Secondary road plan hearing set for June

A road improvement project for Cemetery Road in Belle Haven is fully funded and should be completed in 2023, but another project, on Locustville Road outside Onley, is being cancelled.
Chris Isdell, VDOT Accomac Residency Administrator, updated the board of supervisors about Accomack’s six-year secondary road plan.
Projected funding for Accomack seconday road projects over the next six years totals $575,832, Isdell said.
The Locustville Road project, at an estimated cost of $7.5 million, cannot realistically be paid for through the program, according to Isdell.
Additionally, bridge maintenance projects on Route 658 over Muddy Creek and Route 701 over Holdens Creek, at a cost of $202,405, should be completed this year.
A project to pave Matchotank Road in Cashville, at a cost of $135,000, should be completed in 2025.
The board of supervisors voted to hold a public hearing on the plan in June.

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