Senators Vote In Favor Of Vialet’s $5 Million Funding Bill For Dept. of Education Repairs; Zoning Bills Approved

During Tuesday’s Senate session lawmakers favorably voted on a number of measures, among them Senator Kurt Vialet’s bill that would reprogram more than $5 million for critical repairs at the territory’s school facilities, if signed into law by Governor Albert Bryan.

The funds were reprogrammed from proceeds of the Matching Fund Revenue Bonds, issued pursuant to Act No. 7081, Act No. 7453, and certain remaining unused funds allocated to the Department of Education pursuant to Act No. 7337.

“There is major work to be done across the territory to include the rehabilitation of school playgrounds, sports and music facilities, modular installation, roof, kitchen and bathroom repairs as well as electric and plumbing upgrades,” Mr. Vialet said.

The Senate also took favorable action on a number of zoning measures.

The lawmakers approved Bill No. 33-0120, which would permit the dredging of approximately 255,118 yds of material from the existing berth of the West Indian Company, bulkhead, the turning basin, and the entrance channel into the Charlotte Amalie Harbor. Testifying on the measure, Carlton Dowe, V.I.P.A. executive director, said, “The completion of these projects will play a monumental role in the growth of our economy and the development of the transportation infrastructure in the territory.”

The senators voted favorably for the following:

• Bill No. 33-0121- An Act ratifying the approval by the Governor of the Virgin Islands of Minor Coastal Zone Permit No CZJ-16-18 issued to Robert Gross.
• Bill No. 33-0125- An Act ratifying the approval of the Governor of the Virgin Island of Minor Coastal Zone Permit No. CZT-36-16 (W)..
• Bill No. 33-0139- An Act reprogramming funds from the GERS Outstanding Employer’s Contribution to the Department of Property and Procurement to insure Government Buildings and Properties; as amended.
• Bill No. 33-0138-A Resolution to enhance the friendship and bilateral economic and cultural ties between the U.S. Virgin Islands and Taiwan.
• Bill No. 33-0140- An Act granting a zoning use variance for Parcel No. 84 Estate Diamond, Prince Quarter, St. Croix, Virgin Islands to R-2 (Residential-Low-Density-One and Two Family) to allow for construction and operation of a beauty salon.
• Bill No. 33-0141- An Act granting a zoning use variance for Plot No. 25 Estate Concordia, West End Quarter, Frederiksted, St. Croix, from R-2 (Residential-Low-Density-One and Two Family) for B-3 (Business-Scattered) to allow for restaurant and retail uses on the property.