by Trish Rudder
The Town of Bath was awarded the grant funding of $111,321 from the Community Oriented Policy Services (COPS) to cover 75% of the salary and fringe benefits of one full time police officer for 36 months in the town.
Town of Bath Councilwoman Mary Lynn Hickey, who heads up the Grants committee for the town, said the town’s budget already includes the cost of two full-time officers and the town only has one since the former police chief resigned.
Hickey said the savings from the salary and benefits costs of the vacant full-time position will go toward the 15% match that is required.
A second grant of $4,450 was awarded to the town from the Appalachian Forest Grant program and will be used to rebuild and enhance the town’s website.
The new website will include a section that will highlight all the Town of Bath businesses including several new ones that visitors may not know about.
She said the council wants a form available on the website for potential new businesses to complete so a council member can follow up and discuss their plans, town code requirements, etc.
Also, the council wants to include online capability for trash and water bills for customers to pay electronically with this upgraded website.
A 50% match is required and the increased revenue from the municipal sales tax that begins next year will cover the matching funds, Hickey said.
