Projects proposed for town by Warm Springs Watershed
Kate Lehman, President of the Warm Springs Watershed Association, brought before council her suggestions for projects along Warm Springs Run that will help bring the town into compliance with the state’s Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) for the Chesapeake Bay Initiative.
She gave her presentation at the Tuesday evening, December 4 meeting.
The proposed projects she asked the town to consider are controlling storm water runoff and erosion at Greenway Cemetery, installing rain barrel and rain garden devices at homes and businesses in town to capture the first 0.5 inches of rainfall, and sweeping town streets twice a month to prevent sediment from washing into the run.
She suggested the town contact other municipalities and explore jointly seeking a grant for the cost of a street sweeper that could be shared between the municipalities.
Lehman also talked about installing a buffer between the county courthouse parking lot and Warm Springs Run to help catch runoff from the lot and prevent sediment and pollution from vehicles washing into the stream.
“If the town and county really show that they are doing a good faith volunteer effort, it will adjust what, if anything, they are required to do in 2015,” Lehman said.
Country Inn case
The council agreed to send a letter to the bankruptcy court in Martinsburg objecting to the Inn’s petition to extend the period for filing a bankruptcy plan by 120 days.
“This has gone on long enough,” Councilman Scott Merki said.
Lot abandonment issue
Rick Weber, a resident of Church Street, has asked the town to abandon or cede to him and two other adjacent landowners a lot owned by the town.
Weber wants to build a storage building on the lot.
Councilwoman Elizabeth Skinner viewed the property and said it was basically a lot in the middle of three yards. “It’s such a small piece of land I can’t see how it would ever be of use to the town itself,” she said.
Councilman Andy Swaim asked Weber if he realized his taxes would increase if the town ceded him the property. Weber said he did.
Town resident Dean Maxwell said the lot was actually an extension of Scaling Street.
“I have a philosophical problem. In our town where we have a great need for resources, it seems to me absolutely counterproductive to the town’s interests that we deed any land to anybody without recompense for that land,” Maxwell said.
Mayor Susan Webster said she thought state code prohibited the town from selling land that was part of the right of way for a street. She felt the town could only abandon the property and cede it to the adjacent property owners.
Webster said she would consult the Municipal League, state auditor or if necessary, the town’s attorney.
The item was put on the agenda again for the next meeting.
Police collect toys
Bath Police Chief Craig Pearrell said town police are working with the Lions Club to collect toys for needy children in Morgan County.
Toys may be dropped off at the police station during normal business hours.
Pearrell said parking meters in town will be bagged on the afternoon of December 15 until the morning of December 26 to provide free parking the week before the holidays.
The paper bags used will be decorated by Kindergarteners through third grade students at Widmyer Elementary, he said.
Other business
Town Clerk Debra Peck said she had received the first reimbursement check of $309 for the use of the state purchasing card by town employees.
The council passed a resolution to support the proposed Streetscape project to repave the bricked areas of Fairfax Street and replace the sidewalk along the west side of Washington Street in front of town businesses.
David Hall remembered
Webster showed the council a plaque that will be hung in the municipal building in memory of long time former Councilman David Hall who passed away recently. Hall served on the council for 15 years.
