by Kate Shunney
The Town of Bath council, complete with three new members and a new mayor, met for their first meeting on Tuesday, July 1 to settle into new dynamics.
Re-elected councilwoman Mary Lynn Hickey was absent from the meeting, which lasted less than 45 minutes in council chambers.
Mayor Greg Schene turned over the meeting early on to new councilwoman Reba Dalson, who talked about her online comments after the June 10 municipal election. Her election-night post created both a virtual and in-person discussion about partisanship and divisiveness and she took the opportunity to offer an apology to the council and public gathered at the council meeting.
“At this time I would like to formally apologize to the new council for making the polarizing and offensive public post that created a tsunami of backlash for everyone,” said Dalson, reading from a written statement.
“I understand how hard this council has worked to smooth the wrinkles of partisanship and create a functional and productive body of great people whose efforts I chose to join in order to serve this town. Most of all, I would like to apologize to our new mayor Greg, who managed the brunt of the complaints. I appreciate your service and your leadership and your patience, which I image has grown significantly in the past few weeks.
“With that said, I’d like to thank the people of Bath who voted for me. It’s an honor to serve you. I look forward to working with this council in service to this town. You have my commitment that I will serve with common sense, humility and maybe a little bit of humor. I do believe that there’s an appropriate punishment for my momentary lack of judgment and that’s to do two years of community service starting right now. Thank you,” Dalson concluded.
She was greeted with applause from many in the room.
Schene responded, saying, “This, you know, is a reminder of why respectful dialogue matters. Our conservative friends are not going anywhere. Our liberal friends are not going anywhere. And what is necessary is for us to someone meet in the middle of this beautiful town so we become the envy of all of West Virginia. We have that capacity to be a worldclass community if we’re willing to take the leap to do so.”
Upcoming events
In other business, Schene noted that the planned street party on Mercer Street was moved to August 16 because of bad weather. He mentioned it, the Saturday concerts in the park, an upcoming Jeepers in the Park event and duck races on July 5 as notable town events.
Schene said town committee meeting schedules and board appointments are posted online at the Town of Bath website, along with a volunteer application for anyone who wants to serve on the public boards.
Trail & Streetscapes
Bath volunteer Pete Brown talked to council members about the North Berkeley Rail Trail project status. Brown said he has been speaking with Mark Spooler of the West Virginia Division of Highways about the bridges on the trail, which are proceeding.
“We’re a little concerned over the price,” said Brown. The bridges cross Warm Springs Run along the trail.
Brown said the town and county have permission to go ahead with the environmental remediation of the final trailhead lot near the train depot. The lot has to be cleaned to recreation standards as it was once an industrial lot.
Brown also update council about upcoming Streetscapes funding. He said discussions with the Finance Committee led Streetscapes volunteers to prepare two “intent to apply” notices.
One is for lighting along the streets, a $70,000 project with a $14,000 town match.
The other project would be for Phase 6 of Streetscapes design along Mercer and Union Streets, with a cost of $600,000 and $100,000 from the town as a match to the grant funds.
A second part of the Phase 6 application will be for construction funds.
Mayor Schene said there are plans to create or fix sidewalks on both sides of Congress Street between Mercer and Washington Streets – where the new Cardinal Bar, Creekside Provisions and Public Library stand.
Schene said there are also openings on the town’s Landmark Commission for anyone with an interest in historic properties.
Finances & grants
Council members voted to pay the town and Waterworks bills, and pay a final $750 bill for the Bath Development Authority, which will close out that board and its activities.
The town’s tree board has submitted a report for the Demonstration City grant for $5,917, said Kate Lehman.
Councilwoman Dalson reported that a June 17 grant from Mills group to support community upgrades would give the Town of Bath 25 hours of drafting to create a rendering of the town’s historic district to be used for future funding applications and public envisioning. The value of grant is about $60,000.
Council has also applied for a $1 million CDS (Congressionally Directed Spending) grant for the upgrades needed at the Berkeley Springs Water Works water plant.
The town is also seeking a FEMA grant for GIS (Geographic Information System) water resources mapping.
Thrasher Engineering has estimated that would cost $80,555 and the town would have to provide a $20,000 match.
In speaking about the $1 million grant, Schene said that grant is critical, and will create savings for public water customers. He said town officials have had some luck contacting elected federal officials to support the grant effort.
“We are a gateway to West Virginia and should have the services of a gateway,” said Schene.
Cemetery & Public Works
In other business, Councilwoman Elizabeth Skinner said there is a temporary stop to mowing and trimming with former council member David O’Connell out of town. She said the cemetery committee would talk about future plans at their next meeting. Skinner said the cemetery corporation had re-established their online page Friends of Greenway with new information. They want to draw attention to the history of the town’s cemetery and those buried there.
Returning councilman Rick Weber said he has asked the town’s Public Works department to do additional cleaning on each block of the town, with street sweepers and shovels, weed killer, etc.
“One block of town at a time,” said Weber.
Mayor Schene said there is activity in and around several key buildings in the town limits. He noted the old beauty shop on Mercer Street is being renovated, another historic home has been sold and there may be good news about the Lotus Building – the old Bath District School on Green Street. Schene said he wouldn’t talk about that until plans are more solidified.
Councilman Ryan Kessel reported that a second quarter of the 1% municipal sales tax has closed and will be disbursed to the town, but there is no amount yet know. The Ordinance Committee will discuss it at their next meeting.
The town is participating in a Façade Program, with the partnership of Travel Berkeley Springs, CNB Bank and the County Commission. Under the program, Schene said the town would pay $2,500 toward improvements to the front of a building in the town limits, with CNB Bank offering a 0% loan for the remainder of any costs. Town Hall would have more details.
A water leak issue over last weekend led Berkeley Springs Water Works crews to discover some repairs that were needed downtown. Town officials urged the public to let them know if they detect water running or a large leak of water in town.
“If you hear water running in a storm drain and it’s not raining, let us know,” said Recorder Susan Webster.
Water customers should receive a “robocall” about any water service disruption. Clerk Sharron Corrick asked that anyone who hasn’t received those calls please contact the Water Department or town office at 304-258-1102 to make sure their contact information is up to date.
The Town of Bath meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 5:30 p.m.
