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Albemarle County Community Digest
November 2025
| | | Welcome to another monthly edition of the Albemarle County Community Digest. Thank you for subscribing and being an engaged member of our community! Please share this email with any friends, family, and neighbors who might be interested in staying informed. | | Upcoming Events & Opportunities | | |
We are excited to share draft route options for the Three Notched Trail Shared Use Path and get YOUR input! Join us for a public meeting on Thursday, December 4, from 6-8 pm at Western Albemarle High School's cafeteria, where you will:
- Learn more about the project and timeline.
- Explore maps showing multiple route options.
- Ask questions and share your feedback.
- Help identify the trail’s preferred route and priorities.
This proposed 24-mile trail will connect western Albemarle County, from Charlottesville to the Blue Ridge Tunnel, providing residents with safer, healthier transportation and recreation options.
Can’t attend on December 4? After the meeting, maps will be available online through January 31 for review and feedback.
This is a planning project. No land is being purchased, nor are trails being built at this stage. Your input will help shape the preferred route.
Learn more and share feedback: engage.albemarle.org/three-notched-trail-master-plan
Questions? Contact us: engage@albemarle.org
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We are planning major improvements at Charlotte Yancey Humphris Park on Whitewood Road, and your input will help shape the park’s future!
You are invited to attend the Community Meeting and Design Workshop on December 8 from 6-8 pm at Albemarle High School's media center, where you can:
- Hear a presentation on the project’s background, goals, and early design ideas.
- Explore open-house style stations to learn more about proposed features.
- Share your feedback to help guide design decisions.
This project will enhance one of Albemarle County’s most-loved neighborhood trail parks by adding new features like paved trail upgrades, play and gathering areas, and more, while protecting the forest and stream environment that make the park special.
Your input will help ensure the park improvements meet the needs of residents and visitors alike.
Learn more and share feedback: engage.albemarle.org/humphris
Questions? Contact us: engage@albemarle.org
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Albemarle County Fire Rescue: Santa Run 2025
Santa Claus is trading in his sleigh for a fire truck this holiday season! Join Albemarle County Fire Rescue as we spread festive cheer throughout the community in December.
Keep your eyes peeled and your ears tuned for the sound of holiday sirens as Santa and his firefighter helpers cruise through local neighborhoods atop a decked-out fire truck. It's a magical tradition you won’t want to miss!
Fire trucks and Santa will stop at the locations marked with an asterisk. All other locations are drive-through (travel routes will remain on the main and connecting roads). Times are approximate.
Mark your calendars, gather the family, and wave hello as Santa brings some holiday joy your way!
| | Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) Updates | | |
TJPDC Solid Waste Plan Planning Survey - The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) invites community members to participate in a survey to inform the region's five-year update to the Solid Waste Management Plan. The goal of this regional plan is to help Albemarle, Charlottesville, Greene, and Fluvanna Counties achieve state-mandated recycling goals and reduce landfill waste over the next 20 years.
The TJPDC is seeking your input on waste management strategies and suggestions for enhancing the local system. Your feedback will help determine the future of waste services, helping us understand what works and what needs to change to make the system more convenient, effective, and efficient for residents like you. The survey will remain open through December 15, takes about 5 minutes to complete, and is available here: https://arcg.is/GuiWf.
To learn more about the Solid Waste Plan update, track future engagement opportunities, and view background information, please visit the TJPDC Solid Waste Planning web page: https://tjpdc.org/our-work/solid-waste/.
TJPDC Septic Assistance Program - If you live in Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, or Nelson County and meet specific household income requirements, the Septic Assistance Program may cover the full cost of your septic system maintenance, repairs, or replacement. Experts recommend pumping your septic system every three to five years. Visit TJPDC.org/septic to find your local Housing Foundation, verify your eligibility, and begin your application today.
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Current Job Openings: Join the Albemarle County Team
Interested in a rewarding career serving the community? We offer a variety of career opportunities that support and enhance the quality of life in Albemarle County for our residents. View all the current job openings and apply today!
| | Albemarle County Parks and Recreation (ACPR) | | |
2025/26 Winter Program Guide Now Available
There is something for every age and skill level in the Albemarle County Parks and Recreation 2025/26 Winter Program Guide for this upcoming year: fitness, yoga, sports, dance programs (including West Coast Swing), roller skating, adult kickball, and more! It even includes details on upcoming events, such as the Parent/Child Winter Dance.
View the catalog and register online.
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Upcoming: Closure Dates for Chris Greene Lake Park Due to Pavement Improvements
Chris Greene Lake Park will be temporarily closed to the public for construction and paving from Monday, December 8, to Friday, December 12, 2025. This work is part of the Capital Improvements Program, which includes repaving the entire main road in the park and all parking areas to ensure smoother, more durable pavement surfaces.
Weather permitting, we anticipate completing construction by the end of Friday, December 12, and will resume our normal hours afterward. For your safety, please avoid entering the park construction zones and follow all posted signs.
During this closure, we encourage the community to visit other parks for recreational activities. Some options include Mint Springs Valley Park, Beaver Creek Park, an additional dog park at Darden Towe Park, and disc golf at Walnut Creek Park, all of which offer water recreation and more. Learn more about our parks.
As a reminder, our parks are open daily from 7 am until dark. Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we work to enhance the park.
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Reminder: ACPR Adult Basketball Leagues Registration is Now Open
Registration is now open through December 15, or until team spaces are filled, for our Albemarle County Parks and Recreation basketball league. The adult league is open to men and women aged 16 and over, with eight games and a tournament. Games will be held at Albemarle High School. Teams can register for the Competitive or Recreational division. Cost is $650 per team. Max of 12 teams per division.
ACPR also has a Women’s Adult Basketball League, open to ages 16+. The cost is $400 per team, and the league will consist of eight games, followed by a tournament starting in January. The games will be on Sundays at Journey Middle School. The deadline to register for the Women’s Basketball League is January 22.
Access online team registration for both leagues and sign up today ahead of the deadlines at albemarle.org/parks.
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Upcoming Office Closures
Albemarle County offices will be closing at noon on Wednesday, November 26, through Friday, November 28, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. They will reopen on Monday, December 1, 2025, on a regular schedule.
Our offices will also be closed on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25 for winter break.
Offices will reopen Friday, December 26, 2025 on a regular schedule.
Public safety departments will operate as usual during all closures.
| | People & Project Spotlights | | |
This month, the Board of Supervisors (BOS) proclaimed November 11 as Veterans Day in Albemarle County. We recognize those serving and those who have served for the betterment of our nation. Thank you and your families for your service and your continued public service to Albemarle County. Read the proclamation here.
As part of this proclamation, our County Office building was illuminated with green floodlights earlier this month in conjunction with the Operation Greenlight Program from the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO). The illumination of green lights aims to let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported. American Legion Post 74 held a ceremony to honor Veterans Day on Monday, November 11, in Lane Auditorium.
| | Albemarle County Police Department (ACPD): Promotions and Lifesaving Recognitions | | |
Colonel Sean Reeves is pleased to announce recent promotions and awards within the Albemarle County Police Department. Twelve members of the department were promoted, including four new lieutenants and eight new sergeants.
ACPD also recognized 12 officers whose quick actions directly saved the lives of 14 community members over the past year. These incidents included cardiac arrests, medical emergencies, overdose responses, severe injuries, a structure fire rescue, and critical mental-health interventions. Each officer demonstrated courage, skill, and compassion when it mattered most.
Read more about the honorees on our website.
We are proud to honor the dedicated men and women of ACPD for their ongoing commitment to the safety and well-being of our community.
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Community Development Department: Jodie Filardo Retirement | |
After more than 47 years of dedicated service, Director of Community Development Jodie Filardo announced her retirement, effective February 1, 2026.
Her career includes 24 years of public service in revenue management, economic development, sustainability, and community development, including six years with Albemarle County, as well as over 20 years in the private sector working in systems and process engineering and project management across the United States and around the world.
Throughout her tenure, Jodie has led transformational projects that strengthened Albemarle County’s future, including the launch of the Civic Access portal, implementation of the Enterprise Permitting & Licensing System, adoption of AC44 (the County’s Comprehensive Plan), and her department’s role in helping attract AstraZeneca’s $4.5 billion investment.
Her leadership also helped secure major grants, such as the RAISE grant for the Three Notch’d Trail, while expanding partnerships across the region and state.
Please join us in congratulating Jodie on her incredible career and wishing her all the best in her upcoming retirement! Read more on our County News page.
| | Reminder: 2025 Second-Half Property Taxes - Due December 5 | | |
Second-half property taxes are due Thursday, December 5, 2024. One easy way to pay your taxes is with the County’s user-friendly Automated Tax Payment Kiosk. This 24/7 kiosk is located on the side of the County’s McIntire Office Building nearest to Preston Avenue. Watch this video 📽️▶️ to learn more about the automated tax payment kiosk. From December 1 to 5, we will have both phone support and in-person Spanish translation services available at the McIntire Office Building from 8 am to 5 pm.
Here's more information on ways to pay:
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Pay online. Visit www.albemarlecountytaxes.org to pay using a credit card, electronic check, or PayPal.
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Pay by mail. Instructions for payments by check are attached to your bill. If you choose to pay by mail, please be aware that there may be unexpected delivery delays from the post office. Tax payments postmarked by December 5, 2025, will be considered on time.
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Pay by phone. Call 1-866-820-5450 to pay using a credit card. We will have Spanish translation services available by phone from December 1-5 from 8 am to 5 pm.
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Self-service kiosk. Pay at the County Office Building at 401 McIntire Road using the 24/7 automated payment kiosk using check, cash, or card.
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Drop off. Use the drop boxes located in the parking lot at either the County Office Buildings (401 McIntire Road or 1600 5th Street Extended). Do not pay by cash in the drop boxes.
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Pay in person. Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm, at the County Office Building at 401 McIntire Road.
A 2.5% convenience fee applies to credit card payments and 2.35% to debit card payments, with a minimum of $1.95, when paying online or by phone. A 2.5% convenience fee applies to credit/debit card payments made at the automated kiosk.
To avoid incurring a late payment penalty, payments must be made by December 5, 2025.
Learn more about tax rates, due dates, and late penalties. Still have questions? Email AlbemarleCountyFinance@albemarle.org.
| | Economic Development Office | | |
Buying Locally Supports Your Neighbors and Community – Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville’s Offices of Economic Development encourage you to Buy Local this holiday season and for any occasion. Local businesses are more likely to reinvest close to home, and their goods and services contribute to the unique character of our community. Buying local has a multiplier effect - each dollar spent puts more than 3.5 times as much money back into our local economy as shopping at a chain store or national retailer, and makes a huge difference in creating local jobs and local wealth.
📅 Mark your calendar and get ready to support local businesses this holiday season! Small Business Saturday is November 29 and is the perfect opportunity to make a big impact by choosing to Buy Local. Whether you’re searching for the perfect holiday gift, grabbing a special treat, or dining with friends, your local shops and restaurants have everything you need.
Show Local Love through the holidays and all year long by supporting the many small businesses that make our community great!
Small Business Resource Toolkit
The U.S. Department of the Treasury provides this guide, designed specifically for small businesses in Virginia, which contains resources that assist business owners with finding financing, attracting customers, and obtaining technical assistance.
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Virginia Center for Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (APM) - The Virginia Center for Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (APM) is the latest exciting development announcement fueling innovation, jobs, and opportunity across Virginia’s biotech landscape.
Governor Glenn Youngkin announced a $120M industry partnership to launch the Virginia Center for Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (APM) - a regional training hub poised to produce up to 2,500 highly skilled professionals annually.
This investment strengthens America’s supply chain resilience and cements Virginia’s leadership in biomanufacturing. It creates a direct opportunity for Albemarle County, where institutions like PVCC and UVA are key partners in building a world-class workforce for our local biotech ecosystem – keeping that talent here in Central Virginia.
With support from AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Merck, and Central Virginia’s universities and colleges, the Richmond–Petersburg–Charlottesville corridor is shaping up to be a cornerstone of America’s biomanufacturing future by leading pharmaceutical manufacturing and talent development. More details are to come as the steering committee begins its work.
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VDOT Event Recap: Hydraulic Rd. and U.S. 29 project bundle is complete
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has completed its $24 million SMART SCALE–funded bundle of transportation improvements at the Route 743 (Hydraulic Road) and U.S. 29 (Seminole Trail) intersection in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, marked by the opening of a new pedestrian bridge and milestone in partnership with the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and the University of Virginia.
The project delivered safer, more efficient travel options through a shared-use path and bridge over U.S. 29, redesigned pedestrian crossings and traffic operations at Hydraulic Road, a new roundabout at Hillsdale Drive, and access-management upgrades along key nearby intersections. Celebrated at a November ribbon-cutting with local partners, the walkway is now open, improving multimodal access, traffic flow, and pedestrian safety throughout the corridor. Read more about this project here.
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VDOT Safety Reminder - With Time Change, Be Aware of Sun Glare While Driving at Sunrise and Sunset
Since the time changed from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time, sunrise and sunset times more closely align with morning and evening commuting hours, meaning many drivers encounter the sun low on the horizon during morning and evening commutes. In some locations, the sun appears to hover just above the roadway, creating blinding glare that is difficult to avoid and can leave drivers unable to see the road and other vehicles around them.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, sun glare causes about 9,000 crashes each year. It ranks second among environmental causes of traffic crashes, behind slick roads.
Here are some tips for drivers on the road in the early morning and late afternoon:
- Be aware of sunrise and sunset times.
- Consider adjusting your drive time; just a few minutes earlier or later will change the sun’s position relative to the roadway.
- Reduce speed when approaching an area where the sun hovers above the pavement.
- Be aware of vehicles around you.
- Allow extra distance between your vehicle and others to reduce the risk of collisions.
- Do not swerve, slow, or stop suddenly; other drivers behind you may not be able to slow or stop.
- Drive with headlights on to make your vehicle more visible to other drivers.
- Keep your windshield clean; streaks and smears will worsen the effect of sun glare.
- Use your visor to block the sun, if possible.
- Polarized sunglasses can help reduce glare.
Current traffic conditions, VDOT’s statewide network of traffic cameras, and other real-time travel information are available on the 511 Virginia website. That information is also available on the free VDOT 511 mobile app or by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia.
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ACFR Reminder to Get Connected: Sign up for Community Connect
Albemarle County Fire Rescue has launched Community Connect, a free and secure platform designed to help first responders arrive fully prepared when every second counts.
By creating a household profile, you can share important information that could make a difference in an emergency, such as details about family members with medical conditions or mobility needs, where your pets are typically located, and information about utility shutoffs, entrances, and other key features of your home.
Your information stays private and protected. It is only accessible to verified first responders and only during an emergency. With this knowledge, responders have the full picture before they even arrive, helping them protect what matters most.
Sign up today and start building your household profile at ACFireRescue.org.
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