by Lisa Schauer
In a public meeting held on Tuesday, May 5, Terri Beard, representing Berkeley Springs – Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, signed a memorandum of understanding with Bath Town Council to produce the 51st annual Apple Butter Festival from Friday, October 9 to Sunday, October 11.
Beard said the festival brings money to the town, and the hours have been expanded for the beer garden portion of the festival
In addition to a kickoff party in the West Virginia Craft, Beer, Wine & Spirits Garden on Friday evening, hours there will be extended until 9 p.m. on Saturday evening, due to vendor demand. The hours for beer garden area are Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 12 noon to 4 p.m.
Festival hours will remain the same, with the parade on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. and festival opening at 10 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m., and Sunday festival happenings starting at 9 a.m. with a service at the springs and the festival running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Local apple farmers, including Glascock’s, are worried about this year’s apple crop, Beard reported to Council.
“Frost got to the apples,” she said.
Progress on rail trail
In his North Berkeley Rail Trail committee report, Chair Pete Brown recognized council for hotel-motel tax fund contributions.
Design work for two bridges with “seismic” concrete abutments has been completed, Brown reported.
“When the bridges are in, you’ll be able to walk the trail,” he said.
A trailhead is planned at the town’s historic train depot and visitor center. The trail runs along Warm Springs Run and will end near the Berkeley Springs Senior Center.
Remediation is still underway in the trail depot parking lot and must be completed before construction of the rail trail can begin.
The bridges will be built on the trail through the woods along U.S. 522 from the train depot to U.S. Silica.
Big box stores
In other business, Mayor Greg Schene asked Councilman Ryan Kessel, Ordinance committee Chair, what could be done to “keep big box stores out of town,” and make it difficult for big retailers to move here.
“Let’s keep those businesses where they belong, and not in Town of Bath,” said Schene.
Schene noted the only national brands in town are 7-11 and Edward Jones.
Kessel said the town doesn’t have zoning restrictions, but there could be other ways, such as establishing a historic district, or having architectural requirements in town.
