By Miles Layton
Story comes from the latest Tangier Town Council meeting minutes — see those posted below from the last meeting in July. Thanks, Barb Baechtel, for the meeting’s minutes needed to compile this short news story. And God bless the people of Tangier!
Town Council voted unanimously on July 20 to formally ask the Commonwealth of Virginia for fiscal assistance, one of several items addressed during the meeting.
Council member Anna Parks said the resolution, made under section 15.2-25.12.1 of the Virginia Code, was needed to make the request official. Thomas made the motion and Parks seconded it.
Parks also updated the council on a proposal for the Hampton Roads Sanitation District to take over ownership and operation of the town’s wastewater treatment plant. She said outstanding state and federal loans are the major obstacle. The council is working with Congresswoman Kiggins and Senator DeSteph to have those loans forgiven or retired so the plan can proceed.
Council member Beth Thomas announced that dredge fill from the fuel dock project will be free to any resident. Residents must pay for transporting it and sign a release at the Town Office, citing placement rules and possible hazards in the fill.
Financial reports showed declines in two accounts since the June 8 meeting. The General Fund fell from $40,537.23 to $31,491.01, according to Council member Tracy Pruitt. The wastewater plant fund dropped from $26,422.78 to $11,228.78, Council member Kelly Wheatley reported.
Council member Tommy Eskridge said the fuel dock account held about $25,000 and that a large fuel order was expected within days. He said the dock had cut inherited debt to Pep-up by $10,000, leaving $89,000, and reduced the Swain Memorial Church loan by $5,000, leaving $17,500.
Eskridge said the dredging project is progressing. Five tanks have been removed and sixteen pilings installed. Drip pans should go in shortly, and two new tanks are expected around Aug. 1. Dredging is complete and the bulkhead is nearly finished.
Parks said the town does not qualify for the current National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant cycle because its existing grant is still active. The Bayland Group and CBF expect more grant funding in October 2027.
Parks and Mayor James Eskridge will attend the National ETIPP conference in Seattle in October. The mayor also proposed renaming the southern end of West Ridge Road as Beach Road.
Thomas welcomed new residents Tony and Andrea Travis. The council approved the agenda and the June 8 minutes, both unanimously. The next public meeting was set for Oct. 13.
Council Minutes
The minutes below are APPROVED, as voted on at the meeting, on October 13, 2026.
Meeting Date: July 20th, 2026 – 6:00 p.m.
Meeting Location: Tangier Town Office
Council Members Present:
• Beth Thomas, Vice Mayor
• Anna Parks
• Tracy Pruitt
• Tommy Eskridge
• Kelly Wheatley
• Mayor James Ooker Eskridge
Council Members Absent:
• Normand St. Pierre’
About 16 adult members of the community were in attendance.
Call To Order:
Vice Mayor Beth Thomas called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm. She stated that the meeting was being recorded. She welcomed the members of the community who attended.
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
The opening invocation was given by Jerry Pruitt, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Beth Thomas.
Opening Statement:
Mayor James Eskridge welcomed everyone. He said a number of positive things were to be discussed and thanked everyone for participating.
Motion: To adopt the agenda of July 20th, 2026, was made by Beth Thomas and seconded by Tommy Eskridge.
Unanimous Aye. Motion Carried (Addendum 1)
Motion: To approve the public meeting minutes of June 8th, 2026, was made by Anna Parks and seconded by Tracy
Pruitt. Unanimous Aye. Motion Carried
Beth Thomas announced that the beneficial dredge fill, from the fuel dock project would be free to any resident, but that the residents were responsible for the cost and logistics of transporting it to their location, and everyone would need to sign a release at the Town Office, due to imposed placement rules and possible hazards in the fill.
Anna Parks provided background on the need for the Town to adopt a resolution, formally requesting fiscal assistance from the Commonwealth of Virginia, pursuant to section 15.2-25.12.1 of the Virginia Code.
Motion: To Pass the Resolution to Formally Request Fiscal Assistance from the Commonwealth of Virginia was made by Beth Thomas and seconded by Anna Parks. Unanimous Aye. Motion Carried. (Addendum 2)
Anna Parks provided an update on the proposal for the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) to assume the ownership and operation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP). The major issue with HRSD assuming responsibility is the outstanding state and federal loans. The Town Council has been working with Congresswoman Kiggins at the Federal level, and Senator DeSteph, at the State level, to forgive or retire those loans, so HRSD can move forward with the plan.
Financial Reports:
General Fund:
Tracy Pruitt reported that the General Fund balance, as of the last meeting on June 8th, 2026, was $40,537.23. July 20th, 2026, the balance is $31,491.01.
Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP):
Kelly Wheatley reported that the WTP fund balance, as of the last meeting on June 8th, 2026, was $26,422.78. As of July 20th, 2026, the balance is $11,228.78.
Tangier Gas:
Fuel Dock and DEQ Update:
Tommy Eskridge reported that the current balance in the Fuel Dock account, as of July 20th, 2026 was about $25,000.00, but that he expected to make a large fuel order within days. He went on to report that they had reduced the inherited debt with Pep-up by $10,000.00 (remaining $89,000) and the Swain Memorial Church loan by $5,000.00 (remaining $17,500.00).
The DEQ dredging process is moving along. Five tanks have been removed and sixteen pilings have been installed. The drip pans should be installed shortly. Two new tanks are expected to be installed on or about August 1st. The dredging is completed and the bulkhead is nearly completed.
Beth Thomas welcomed new residents, Tony and Andrea Travis, to the meeting and to the community.
Public Comments:
There were no formal public comments.
Grants Report:
Anna Parks reported that since the Town’s current National Fish and Wildlife Fund (NFWF) grant is still active, the Town does not qualify for the current application cycle for a new grant. The Bayland Group and CBF anticipate receiving additional grant funding in October, 2027.
New Business:
Anna Parks announced that she and Mayor Eskridge will be attending the National ETIPP conference in Seattle, Washington, in October.
Mayor Eskridge proposed renaming the southern end of West Ridge Road, to Beach Road.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Beth Thomas at 6:46 p.m.
The next public meeting will be held on October 13th, 2026.
