Fairfax Street project in the works

Mayor Susan Webster announced a major improvement project for Fairfax Street at the Tuesday, September 18 meeting of the Bath Town Council.

The Town Streetscape Committee and town officials met with West Virginia Division of Highways Director Robert Pennington and his staff on September 11.

Pennington proposed a state highways project to improve the two blocks of Fairfax Street east and west of Washing-ton Street, between Wilkes and Mercer streets.

The project would also replace the sidewalk on the west side of Washington Street between Fairfax and Congress streets.

Pennington proposed the state begin design work immediately with construction to start as soon as April, 2013.

In a letter to Pennington, Mayor Webster wrote: “Ideally any reconstruction of Fairfax Street would include the retention of the yellow bricks that are currently the road surface.”

However, Webster said she under-stood other solutions may be required to meet the goal of a well-engineered and maintainable driving surface.

Engineer John McCracken and Streetscape Committee co-chairman Larry Lower were designated as the town’s contacts for the project.

Council members unanimously
voted to approve the project in concept and are waiting on whatever paperwork is required to get the project under way.

Flood damage revisited
Webster asked anyone who experienced flood damage within the town limits to report those damages to the town office, if they have not already done so. This includes flooded basements or damaged vehicles.

Webster said although the county did not qualify for disaster relief, the town as a municipality might be able to qualify for some funding.

“I am still hunting everywhere I can for funds,” Webster said.

She spoke with U.S. Senator Joe Manchin about it during his visit to town that day.

New water tariff
The new water tariff, moving billing from quarterly to monthly, has been approved by the West Virginia Public Service Commission.

The new monthly billing does not raise basic water rates but increases some service fees such as tap fees and costs for cutting off and restarting service.

Fee information is available at the town office.

Next water project
Randy Watson of Thrasher Engineering of Clarksburg will meet with the town’s Water Committee at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 2 to discuss a proposal for the next phase of the town’s water line replacement project.

Public works
Councilman Ken Easton said he is waiting on quotes for two projects.

The top priority is to replace the asphalt on the Liberty Street Bridge leading into Berkeley Springs State Park and The Country Inn.

The other project being considered is to repave the parking lot in front of town hall.

Building enforcement
Webster asked Town Clerk Debra Peck to put discussion about forming a building enforcement agency on the agenda for the October 2 council meeting.

Webster said town code gives council the authority to create such an agency, which can require property owners to repair, close or demolish any building in the town unfit for human habitation.

Council members expressed concerns about an increasing number of derelict and dilapidated homes and buildings in town.