Former Buffalo District Supervisor C.R. “Bob” Timmons Jr., who continues to serve as chair of the Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors’ Properties Committee, noted multiple positive developments during the board’s regular November meeting, including that the overall courthouse renovation project is on track to finish about a month and a half early.

Timmons opened his presentation by briefly referencing his previous report on Blair Construction’s progress with the renovations that he gave during the board’s regular October meeting.

“Last month, we reported that I felt that they were approximately about two weeks behind,” he said. “Blair’s been working very hard. They’ve been working second shifts, and they’ve caught that two weeks back up, and (it) looks like we’re going to finish the first phase on time at the end of this month. In addition to that, we’ve adjusted their schedule slightly, and it looks like right now, we’re on track to finishing the entire project about 45 days early, which is really good, and they’re working to those goals.”

He added during the Thursday, Nov. 14, meeting that there was a change order issued for $1,600.

“It’s a combination of several proposed change orders, and we have another one …,” he said. “We’re meeting tomorrow to review the rest of them, and their gross is about $63,000. However, if you start whittling that a little bit, I think that number is going to come in south of $50,000, which is still less than 1% of the contract value.”

During a Monday, Nov. 18, interview, he confirmed that the changes are largely to address security requirements handed down by the state Supreme Court.

“Right now, I’m very happy to report that quality’s up, very high,” he said. “… They’re doing well.”

He asked the board if it had any questions.

Lockett District Supervisor Robert M. “Bobby” Jones said, “I don’t have any questions, but I sure would like to compliment Mr. Timmons and the (Properties) Committee on working with this thing, because in my opinion, this thing’s gone pretty doggone smooth.”

“Very smooth,” Leigh District Supervisor and Board Vice Chairman Jerry R. Townsend added.

Jones said, “Building the new buildings and renovations here — I know it’s been an inconvenience to a lot of people, but still yet, it’s gone as smooth as I think it could.”

“Thank you,” Timmons said. “The committee’s worked real well with me, and so I appreciate that.”

As he concluded his presentation, Timmons said, “An update on the STEPS and Social Services (building) out there — I’ve heard no complaints. Everybody seems to be happy with the quality of this work environment. They said their productivity has increased quite a bit because just the work environment, and security is a lot better out there than what they had here at the courthouse.”

The grand opening for the new Social Services building is set for Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 1 p.m.