Hall resigns from Bath town council

Thomas G. Hall faxed his resignation to the Bath Town Council shortly before the council met on Tuesday, January 2.

Hall's letter said he was resigning from the Bath council due to "job related responsibilities with the City ]of Martinsburg, along with my inability to participate with regularly scheduled meetings as a council person should."

Hall was elected to council in June, 2005. He was chairman of the Grant Committee and served on the Water and Cemetery committees.

"I am sorry to see this happen," said Mayor Susan Webster, "but I understand the difficulties he had making the meetings with his full time job responsibilities in Martinsburg."

Webster appointed Town Recorder Garnet Marsh to chair the Grant

Committee. She said the council will have to close ranks to cover the other committees. The mayor may appoint someone to the council if need arises, otherwise the seat will be filled when the next town council election is held in June.

Water Works

Town of Bath lost one of its two water pumps on Christmas Eve. Mayor Webster commended the Fire Department for the three hours they spent that evening pumping out the clear water well so the failed pump could be removed for service.

The other pump failed on January 2. A spare pump arrived later that day from Cumberland and was installed. The town's water tanks hold a three day supply, so there was no interruption of service.

Council reported that 39% of construction and 46% of inspections are competed on the water line replace-ment project. Contractor Cowgirl

Up, Inc. will put a second crew to work to catch up construction with inspections.

A special council meeting was scheduled for January 8 to approve the next payments to Thrasher Engineering and Cowgirl Up.

Police requests

Councilman Kenny Easton asked that an agenda item be added to the special January 8 meeting to discuss the new Police Department job descriptions that Chief Jim Minton is submitting.

Minton asked council to add a discussion of the possible addition of a K9 officer to the agenda for the January 16 meeting.

Minton also reported to council that traffic signs for changing Mercer Street to one way north between Fairfax Street and Rt. 9 have been ordered.

Christmas tree disposal

A discussion was held about how to dispose of the Christmas trees that the town will pick up for free on Tuesday, January 9 and Tuesday, January 16. Trees picked up last year were placed in a field above the Health Department.

A suggestion was made to place the trees with last year's trees and get a permit to burn them from the Fire Department. Another suggestion was to see if a local mulch dealer would accept the trees. Easton said he would look into both ideas and report back to council.

Recorder Marsh brought up the need to repave Congress and Independence Streets west of Washington Street. Both streets have recently been under construction due to the water line replacement project.

Councilman Dale Lutman said the cost to repave each street will run $12,000 to $15,000. Council will consider this issue during the upcoming budget process.

The West Virginia Department of Highways will repave Washington and Wilkes Streets up to Rt. 9 West.

Budget requests due

Budget Committee chairman David Crosby said all budget requests are due by Wednesday, January 31 so work can begin on the town's budget in February. The budget for the next fiscal year is due in March.