Kenbridge Town Manager Robyn Fowler and Del. Tommy Wright confirmed that the amendments for the Town of Kenbridge’s charter recently passed the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate during the General Assembly.

The Governor of Virginia would still need to deliver final approval of the bill. His action deadline is midnight on March 26.

According to the bill H. 2740, which outlines the amendments to the town of Kenbridge’s charter, the terms for the Kenbridge mayor and council members were extended to four years rather than two; in addition, if a member of council is disqualified, the town will hold a new election to fill the seat. Prior to the new charter, members of council appointed the person to fill the vacancy.

If the majority of the council seats are vacant, the Lunenburg circuit court would fill the vacancies.

“The mayor and council serving at the time of the passage of this act shall continue in office until their successors are elected and qualified,” an amendment from the charter cited. “An election shall be held in May of 2020, and every four years thereafter, to elect three council members. An election shall be held in May of 2022, and every four years thereafter, to elect three other council members. An election shall be held for mayor in May of 2020 and every four years thereafter. The council shall declare by ordinance or resolution which three council member seats are up for election in 2020 and which three council member seats are up for election in 2022.”

In addition, elected council members now take the oath of office during the regular June council meeting, rather than in July.

The full bill can be read online at http:// lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/ legp604.exe?191+ful+HB2740ER.

Del. Tommy Wright, who attended a recent Lunenburg Chamber of Commerce meeting and had introduced the bill, noted that the process to approve the amended charter for the town and state is extensive.

“I’m glad to work with Robyn on that,” Wright said.