Morgan County Commission briefs
At their May 4 meeting, the Morgan County Commission approved a bid from F & S Contracting, LLP for $32,108 for the Paw Paw E-911 tower site.
Morgan County Services Director Dave Michael said that the lowest project bid of $26,700 from Clinton Reed Excavating and Hauling did not include two 18-foot wide gates but proposed one 20-foot gate. A bid of $32,715 from Cowgill Excavating and Hauling did not include any gate specifications.
The commissioners also approved a bid of $15,934 from Greg Unger Builder/Contractor, Inc. for exterior improvements to the Community Service Center. A bid of $23,950 by Cowles and Sons Construction was the only other bid for the exterior improvement work.
An additional bid of $475 by Greg Unger Builder/Contractor, Inc. to remove the roof over the existing Boys and Girls Club entrance and replace it with an aluminum awning was also approved.
No passing zone
Mechelle Reed asked that the section of U.S. Route 522 South by the Morgan County Ballpark Complex be made a no passing zone. Reed spoke of the danger to pedestrians and vehicles due to the large amount of traffic during ball games.
The commissioners said they had requested this from the Department of Highways several years ago and had not been successful. Another letter would be sent to the engineering department of the West Virginia Department of Highways asking them to investigate the situation.
Tuscarora Trail
Bert Lustig and Tom Johnson requested tax immunity for the portion of the Tuscarora Trail that the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club maintains in the northern part of Morgan County. The club owns four parcels of land that the trail goes through totaling more than 400 acres.
The commissioners agreed to their request as long as the parcels were open for public use and asked that the agreement be in writing. Lustig said the properties were used for hunting, camping, hiking, biking and equestrian use.
Swimming pool request
Sam Ashelman requested having a year-round indoor swimming pool located at Berkeley Springs State Park. He also asked about the possibility of heating and cooling the future courthouse with warm water from Warm Springs Run.
The Commissioners suggested that Ashelman explore the year-round pool idea with state officials and look into the cost and use of the run for heating and cooling.
Grant received
The County Commission pledged $34,000 in matching funds from the 2007-2008 county budget for an economic development grant award. The matching funds are required to receive the money from the Local Economic Development Grant Program through the West Virginia Development Office.
Home Consortium
The Morgan County Commission approved and budgeted $11,333 for one-time matching funds for three years of Eastern Panhandle Home Consortium funding due to a federal budget shortfall for the program.
The local funding is for Morgan County Unincorporated and Paw Paw and contingent upon other Panhandle counties agreeing to contribute their matching funds.
Cornerstone ceremony
The local Masonic lodge, Deford Lodge #88 A.F. & A.M., was approved to do a cornerstone laying ceremony in the northeast corner of the new Morgan County Courthouse complex.
Appointments
John L. Petersen was appointed to represent Morgan County on the Potomac Headwaters Resource Conservation and Development Council. Petersen's two-year term was effective on April 6. His term will expire on April 1, 2009.
Julie Kidwell was selected to serve on the Morgan County Fire Board. She fills a three-year term previously held by William Miller. Kidwell's appointment was effective May 4 and will expire on April 30, 2009.
Marti Sikes was approved to serve on the Travel Berkeley Springs Board of Directors. She fills a vacancy that was left when Dr. Matt Hahn resigned as a board member. This appointment is yearly. It is effective immediately and will expire on December 31, 2007.
Funding
The Morgan County Commission approved funding requests from various organizations. The County Commission gave $2,500 to CASA of the Eastern Panhandle, Inc. for recruiting, training, supporting and managing community volunteers.
Common Purpose of the Panhandle will receive $1,000 from the Hotel-Motel funds to help cover the cost of the Community Alternatives to Violence batterers intervention program.
Some $1,500 in 2007-2008 Hotel-Motel funding was allotted to the Retired Senior Volunteer Program to help cover the cost of recognition and program support.
The County Commission also approved $1,200 in funding for administrative support for 2007 local Potomac Headwaters RC & D programs.
The Morgan County Fair Board was approved to receive $6,000 for administration and support for this year's county fair activities, fireworks and award ceremony. They will also receive $500 toward a pre-fair event in Paw Paw that is scheduled for July 28.
The Morgan County Farmers Market will get $1,200 for administration and support of the market.
The County Commission also approved $1,000 to help cover the fireworks display at the Paw Paw Festival and $500 for promotional costs. The Paw Paw Festival is set for mid-September. The money will come from the 2007-2008 Hotel-Motel funds.
The Foxglove Garden Club was approved for $3,277 from Hotel- Motel funds to assist with the beautification of Fairfax Green and the Herb Garden adjacent to the former train station. The money will also help with decorating the Town of Bath for the Christmas season.
Rachel Michael also received $100 from Hotel Motel Funds to help cover the cost of her trip to the Junior National Young Leaders Conference.
