Cruisers get okay for Friday cruise-ins at park

The Mountain State Cruisers got permission from the Town of Bath council once again to hold their summertime “First Friday” cruise-ins along
the Berkeley Springs State Park.

Starting on the first Friday in May, the car club will line up their classic vehicles, provide music and refreshments along Fairfax Street.
“I love this event and wish you would have it more,” said Mayor Susan Webster at the March 1 council meeting.

Club President Rick Kesecker said he would like help monitoring parking early on those Fridays, because some people ignore the “No Parking” signs posted where the club cars and equipment need to go.

Council members agreed to send their parking enforcement officers to the park on event days to help with the situation.

Parks & Recreation
In other business, Mayor Webster said she has been contacted by a number of town citizens interested in serving on the Parks & Rec board.

Last year, the town asked to be removed as members of the board, citing legal and organizational concerns.

Councilman Scott Merki said he was fine with resuming town membership on the board, as long as council members didn’t have to serve.

Council member Ryan Rebant asked if his colleagues’ concerns about the group had been addressed adequately.

They agreed to talk with the citizens interested in serving, and letting town representation continue until the end of the fiscal year.

“We can try it for a few months until July comes, and decide then,” said Merki.

The parks group would have to wait until July 1 to reorganize its bylaws without the town.

Retaining wall at CNB
Town officials are considering more options for shoring up a buckling retaining wall on town property behind CNB Bank.

Previous ideas included tearing out the old 160-ft.-long wall and rebuilding it to modern specifications, and building a secondary wall to help shore up the existing wall.

A local contractor proposed building a secondary wall with wire baskets filled with large stones, similar to the repairs made to a retaining wall by the Morgan County Public Library.

Council member Scott Merki said the project would cost just under $25,000 -- a fraction of the costs for the other repair options.

Merki said the stone material would be stacked, and the space between the stones and old wall would be filled with crushed stone.

Council authorized the Mayor to discuss the idea with bank officials.

Officer goes full time
Part-time town police officer Tim Johnson was promoted to a full-time officer, effective immediately. He will fill a position left vacant by Officer Charlie Evans, who recently left the force after a short time.