BRIDGEWATER, Va. – In addition to discussing the preliminary town budget at their monthly meeting on March 10, the Bridgewater Town Council forwarded a resolution to the town planning commission that would establish a special use permit requirement for businesses selling marijuana products.
According to VMP, the Commonwealth Senate and General Assembly passed legislation allowing retail sale of adult use marijuana. The bill has been sent to Governor Abigail Spanberger and she is expected to sign it. If the law is signed retail marijuana sales are expected to start Jan 1, 2027.
The resolution was introduced to the town manager, J. Jay Litten, by Council member Jim Tongue through an email to the town manager. Currently vape stores in Bridgewater are required to have a special use permit. The resolution would require stores to get a similar permit for selling marijuana products.
The council voted unanimously to move the resolution forward to the Bridgewater Planning Commission for further review.
The meeting was attended by a dozen residents, including Elizabeth Neff. She noted that being involved in the local government is the way she can make sure the residents are heard.
All six council members along with the town manager, town attorney and Mayor Ted Flory were among those present to receive and discuss the town’s fiscal plan ahead of the official budget presentation scheduled for April. A public budget hearing is expected to take place April 22.
According to the presentation given by the town manager, J. Jay Litten, the proposed budget would not include any tax rate increases. However, most utility service fees are scheduled to rise with inflation.
General utility service fees are projected to increase 4.49%. While sewer rate would increase by about half that percentage because current sewer revenues are exceeding operating costs.
The town officials also discussed town employee compensation as part of the early budget planning. The base pay for most town employees is expected to raise 3.25%, which Litten described as a typical neutral raise.
Police officer salaries are planned to increase at a higher rate with the town manager emphasizing a goal of making Bridgewater police officers among the best paid in the region with hopes to attract and retain qualified officers.
Rising health insurance costs were also discussed during the meeting. Litten explained that health insurance premiums are projected to increase by around 15.8%. Mayor Ted Flory asked questions regarding the need to stay with the current health insurance provider but it was explained that the industry standard is most companies are increasing premiums at the same rate.
Several capital and infrastructure projects were also highlighted in the preliminary budget discussion. Proposed town investments include a drainage system in the Fountainhead subdivision, the third phase of the River Walk Trail and additional maintenance equipment such as a new dump truck.
The proposed Riverwalk phase three project would extend the trail east from Edgebriar Park toward the softball fields at Bridgewater College at an estimated cost of $413,000. Litten said the costs were rising for materials of the overall project. The town is going to take a cautious approach to completing the project in order to avoid overspending.
“I like hearing where the town is going.” Neff said. “I like hearing what he (Litten) has to say about the future and how the town is progressing.”
Recreation Coordinator Katie Newman shared upcoming events including the reopening of Sandy Bottom par 3 mini golf course on April 4 and the Wildwood Park egg hunt scheduled for the same day. The Recreation Department reported continued activity at the town’s ice skating rink, including an increase in Bridgewater residents’ participation.
“For the recreation part of the discussion, it shows the fun of living here,” Council member Stephanie Curtis said.
The remainder of the agenda included a mayor’s report where the mayor recognized two longtime community contributors with proclamations.
The next town council meeting is scheduled for April 14, 2026 at 7 p.m. in the Sipe Center.
