Atwood recognized as Wastewater Operator Specialist of the Year
By Randy Arrington
STANLEY, May 14 — Two representatives of the Virginia Rural Water Association presented two awards to the Town of Stanley during Council’s regular monthly meeting on Wednesday night. The Town earned the distinction of operating Virginia’s “Water System of the Year”, while 24-year employee Forest Atwood earned the title of “Wastewater Operator Specialist of the Year.”
“Everybody is always complaining about their water and wastewater…these people are unsung heroes,” said Tim Costello, president of the Association, as he gestured to Atwood and Council members on Wednesday.
The Town of Stanley operates two water systems — one that supplies water to more than 1,700 customers (or a population of around 4,300) with five wells (and soon to be a sixth), and a second system that supplies the Page County Technical Center with one well, according to the application letter submitted by Town Manager Terry Pettit.
“The Town is still one of a few that does not have to chlorinate its water, and we are very proud of the system that was established in the early 1930s,” the application letter reads. “In the 1960s and ’70s, the water system was expanded outside the Town limits due to a surge of growth in every direction. Page County does not have water or sewer utilities, and many residents rely on private wells and septic, if not near Town services. Today, approximately 40 percent of the total water customers are in the county.”
A study in the 1990s showed that the Town’s underground aquifers are being recharged from water some 40 years old, according to Pettit’s application letter, that “comes from run-off deep inside of Shenandoah National Park and its pure natural streams.” Stanley has been recognized several times for having the “best tasting water” in Virginia and in the nation.
Forest Atwood started working at Stanley’s wastewater treatment plant in August of 2001.
“He accepted the position with many challenges ahead, which included the Town being placed under a consent order to make improvements to the facility shortly after he was hired,” states the application letter for Atwood.
Coming along decades after the water system, the wastewater treatment facility was built in 1980. After two decades of service, the plant needed numerous upgrades and placed under the consent order. During Atwood’s 24-year tenure, he has overseen more than $1.5 million of improvements to the facility.
“…not only is he one of the most knowledgable wastewater operators in the Valley, but he also spends his spare time on his small farm and serves as minister to a church,” the application reads.
These awards were originally announced in April during the Association’s annual training conference in Roanoke, with winners selected by a committee of their peers from Virginia. Founded in 1987, the Association focuses on small municipal water systems serving less than 10,000.
Surprisingly, that makes up 90 percent of all water systems in the state.
In other business at its May 14 meeting, the Stanley Council took the following actions:
• Unanimously voted to keep all tax rates at current levels for the FY26 spending cycle. The Council will be holding a final budget workshop to review the final draft of the FY26 budget at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27 in Town Hall.
• Killed a motion by Councilman Doug Purdham (due to a lack of a second) to approve a contract with national bluegrass act Rhonda Vincent to perform at the 2026 Stanley Homecoming on Saturday, July 4th. The Town was being offered a greatly reduced rate — $15,000 compared to anywhere from $40,000 to $75,000 at other venues, according to Stanley Homecoming Committee member Mark Stroupe. The heavy discount was being offered due to a personal relationship with Stanley resident Christie Bosley Baker, and Stroupe told the Council on Wednesday night he needed an answer within 24 hours. While Council members supported the idea, knowing it would draw a large crowd from outside the area, several still baulked at the price — although a heavy discount, still significantly higher than what is usually spent on entertainment for Homecoming. The additional expense would also come as the cost of providing fireworks increases to $15,000. Vincent agreed to perform two 45-minute sets for $15,000. With sound adding another $1,000 for one night — that would mean $31,000 would be spent on less than two hours of entertainment on one evening of a four-night event.
• Unanimously voted to spend about $1,100 per year to provide an additional benefit for Town employees, Council members and their families. The new plan with PHI (a medical transport helicopter service) costs about $50 annually per staff member to ensure that if they, or anyone in their household, needs to be airlifted for medical reasons, it will not cost them anything.
• Heard that Love and Sweet Bakery will be opening soon and announcing a ribbon cutting.
• Heard the Police Report for April 2025, including 354 calls for service with 281 self-initiated and five citations issued.
• Heard the Recreation Report that stated the Easter Egg Hunt saw 10,000 eggs get gathered up in less than four minutes; flag poles have been installed at the Winum playground; and the Hawksbill Pool opens May 24 for weekends until school lets out for summer.
For more information about the Town of Stanley, CLICK HERE.
•••
RELATED ARTICLES
Coal Ridge Brewery draws dozens to opening
Be the first to comment