Bath Council addresses Rockwell St. issues
Dawn and Randy Beal appeared before Bath Town Council October 2 to discuss issues confronting residents of Rockwell Street and Rockwell Circle.
The Beals hosted a block party on Saturday, September 29 to get neighbors together to talk about community problems.
The street has been plagued recently by speeders using Rockwell Circle and Rockwell Street as a cut-through between U.S. 522 and Route 9. Several burglaries have also been reported in the neighborhood.
Mayor Susan Webster attended the block party to meet with residents and listen to their concerns.
Dawn Beal requested that council install 15 miles-per-hour speed limit signs, Children-at-Play signs and speed bumps along Rockwell Street to curb speeders.
Beal also asked council for two additional streetlights on the street and for trees around the two existing streetlights to be trimmed. Beal presented council with petitions from residents requesting the changes.
Barb Campbell, chair of the Tree Committee, gave council an estimate of $200 for the cost of trimming the trees along Rockwell Street.
Councilman Kenny Easton, chair of the Police Committee, recommended ordering two additional streetlights from Allegheny Power.
Council agreed to order the streetlights, install two 15 mph speed limit and two Children-at-Play signs, install portable speed bumps and trim the trees around the existing streetlights. The speed bumps attach to the street with bolts that allow them to be removed for snow plowing.
Chief Jim Minton said he has stepped up patrols along Rockwell Circle and Rockwell Street and that Bath Police would enforce the speed limit with radar.
Webster thanked the Beals for organizing residents and bringing the issues before council.
The trees around the two streetlights on Rockwell Street have since been trimmed. Mike Keefer and his Tree Works crew did the job on October 4.
Parking ordinance passed
Council passed Ordinance 2007-08 which sets new fines for parking violations in the town. A public hearing was scheduled before the vote but no one came forward to oppose the ordinance. Council approved the ordinance unanimously.
New parking fines are now in effect. Parking meter violations are raised from $3 to $8. Fines for other types of parking violations range from $15 for blocking a driveway to $100 for parking in a handicapped spot.
Fines that are not paid within 30 days increase dramatically. For example, a meter violation of $8 increases to $30 if not paid promptly.
A copy of the ordinance is available at Town Hall.
Thief and Vandalism
In addition to the broken antique globes at Francis Asbury United Methodist Church on Wilkes Street, reported in last week's Morgan Messenger, three other incidents have occurred recently in town.
Campbell reported the theft of 19 pumpkins from the square on Fairfax Street that had been placed there as decorations for Apple Butter and the fall season by the Foxglove Garden Club. The club spent $150 for the pumpkins.
Campbell also reported that two 9 ft. tall redbud trees had been removed from in front of a business at 262 N. Washington Street without the town's permission.
The Tree Committee had been investigating the two trees which appeared to be dying. The committee had decided to let the trees stand until next spring to see if they would bloom.
One tree was cut down about eight weeks ago and the other two weeks ago, Campbell said. The trees cost the town $300.
Minton said he is investigating the incidents and asked that anyone with information call police at 304-258-1198.
Water issues
Chief Water Operator Terry Largent reported pumping is down from 23 million gallons a month to 18 million. Pumps are running an average of 21 hours a day, down from 24.
Largent said that Water Works is still chasing leaks in old pipes that are beyond the area covered by the water line replacement project. The town supplies water to 1,600 customers, many residing outside town limits.
Webster said she will set up a meeting with the Public Service Commission to discuss the results of a report generated by the commission following a study of the town's water operations. The town is considering a new rate structure.
Other business
Council appointed Michael Dennis as representative to council for Travel Berkeley Springs.
Councilwoman Nancy Harvey said she will be seeking donations to help fund the historic district project. She noted that remaining grant money has been spent for consulting services.
The town received estimates from Berkeley Land Surveys for surveying 20.5 acres of Greenway Cemetery and an 8 acre parcel of ridge land behind the high school above Concord Avenue. The estimate is $3,400 for the cemetery and $1,200 for the ridge.
The town is seeking to annex Greenway Cemetery and the 8 acre parcel of ridge land which was donated to the town some years ago, but never annexed.
The 8 acre parcel will place the town limits adjacent to other properties that may be considered for annexation in the future, Webster said.
Council put any action on hold until funding sources can be found.
