HERITAGE WAY TRAFFIC STUDY DUE SOON

After listening to a dozen residents of the Carrvale subdivision argue that their street should remain closed to through traffic, the Leesburg Town Council authorized a traffic study last week to determine the feasibility of their request.

The street, Heritage Way, became an issue when a developer proposed to build about 230 condominiums on 12 acres adjoining the Carrvale subdivision. In requesting rezoning, the developer said the company would connect two streets in the new subdivision to Heritage Way. Homeowners on Heritage Way say their children would be in danger if the street were opened.

Some council members favor opening the street, saying it would improve the flow of traffic through Leesburg. But Christine Forster, a Carrvale resident who has spearheaded the drive to keep Heritage Way closed, said, "An awful lot of people bought homes on this street because it was closed and safe for their kids."

Officials say the traffic study, by an outside consultant, is expected to be completed within three weeks.

In other business, the council heard a report from the state Department of Health that said the town's recently inspected water treatment plant is "well operated and maintained." According to state inspector W. Jay Moon's report, the town's water treatment program is "a model for the state."

Also, Leesburg officials learned last week that the town's Lamplighter newsletter, mailed quarterly to the town's nearly 5,000 households, has been honored in a competition for publications put out by U.S. and Canadian cities. The Lamplighter was cited for its "good mix of art, copy, photos, layout and good judgment on what's important to the community." About 250 cities and towns entered the competition, a town spokesman said. Middleburg Spending Plan Up 10% The Middleburg Town Council held a public hearing last week on its proposed $440,000 budget for fiscal 1987-88 that was something less than public. No one besides town officials attended, and it was "an exercise in talking to ourselves," Mayor Loyal McMillin said.

The proposed budget is a 10 percent increase over the current fiscal plan. The council also proposed lowering the real estate tax from 10 cents per $100 of assessed value to 8 cents, although higher property assessments will offset any decrease, the mayor said.

The council also proposed increasing the business tax paid by peddlers and itinerant merchants from $100 to $500 a year, and raising residential water bills for amounts in excess of 10,000 gallons. The basic rate of up to 10,000 gallons would remain the same, 22 cents per 100 gallons, but the council has proposed increasing the rate for amounts between 10,000 and 30,000 gallons (from 30 to 34 cents per 100 gallons) and between 30,000 and 40,000 gallons (from 38 to 42 cents per 100 gallons).

The council will vote on the budget June 11. Purcellville Considering Fiscal Plan The Purcellville Town Council last week agreed to consider a proposed $1.1 million 1987-88 budget at a workshop next week. The fiscal plan would lower the real estate tax from 20 to 19 cents per $100 of assessed value, a spokesman said, but rising property assessments mean that homeowners probably would not see a tax decrease. Hamilton Budget Reflects 41% Rise The Hamilton Town Council last week unveiled a proposed $317,000 budget for fiscal 1987-88, an increase of 41 percent over the current budget, Town Clerk Kay Tewell said. The increase is necessary because the town drilled a well recently and is upgrading its sewer system at a cost of about $70,000, she said.

The town's real estate and personal property taxes would not increase. A public hearing on the proposed budget is set for 7:30 p.m. June 1.

Meanwhile, about 40 pine trees will be planted around Hamilton's new playground this week, but there are no plans to build a fence around the park despite some nearby residents' complaints that children playing there trespass on their property and that young people congregate at the park in the evening. According to recreation committee Chairwoman Ruth Tillett, the town does plan to install restrooms at the park and to erect signs saying the playground closes at sunset. Peace March Presentation in Bluemont The Bluemont Library Foundation will sponsor an evening of slides and songs on last year's nine-month Great Peace March.

The show, from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, will be presented by K D Kidder, Loudoun's only participant in the march, and Laura Monogan, a District resident who also marched.

Admission is free and refreshments will be served. For information, call 777-4002. 'Womanless Beauty and Talent Show' A sixth "Womanless Beauty and Talent Show," held to benefit Loudoun's Victim-Witness program, will be held at 7 p.m. June 6 at Simpson Middle School, a spokesman said.

Tickets for the show, which has an all-male cast, are $7 for adults, $3.50 for children and senior citizens. For ticket information, call 777-0417. To participate in the show, call Chip Groff at 777-6107. 'Dinosaur Rock' Blends Music, Puppets The Bluemont Concert Series will combine music and giant puppetry in shows at two Loudoun elementary schools Tuesday.

Titled "Dinosaur Rock," the show will be offered at 9:30 a.m. at Sugarland and 1 p.m. at Rolling Ridge elementary schools to teach students about "the life and times of dinosaurs," a concert spokesman said. The 18-foot dinosaur puppets have danced at schools up and down the East Coast, he said. For information, call 777-0574. Broad Run High Wins Band Festival The Broad Run High School Band took top honors in its division at a recent band festival in Wildwood, N.J., a spokesman said.

In addition, Loudoun County High School band members placed first in the wind ensemble competition for their division.

"Most people don't realize the bands are at all athletic contests, in rain or snow. Usually the only ones recognized are the athletes," the spokesman said. "Winning this competition helps the band feel appreciated, too." AIDS Film for Loudoun Students Loudoun students in grades 7 through 12 are to view a film titled "AIDS -- What Everyone Needs to Know," Tuesday through Friday, school spokeswoman Molly Converse said. Health professionals will be available to answer students' questions. For information, call 777-1222. Rabies Clinic Planned for Saturday The Elizabeth Foster Fund for Animals will sponsor a rabies clinic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Loudoun County Animal Shelter on Rte 9. The cost is $4. Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be confined, a spokesman said. For information, call 882-3211. Hunt Country Stable Tour Slated The 18th Hunt Country Stable Tour in Middleburg will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, county tourism Director Hugh Harmon said.

The tour will feature 12 stables, breeding farms and training facilities, including Paul Mellon's Rokeby, Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke's 700-acre estate, and Paper Chase Farms, owned by Jan Neuharth. For information, call 777-0519. -- Donna Acquaviva

Articles appear as they were originally printed in The Washington Post and may not include subsequent corrections.