TOWN OF BATH COUNCIL: MEETING  January 2, 2024  1. ORDER: @ 5:30pm by Mayor.  2. ROLL CALL: Scott Merki (X) Susan Webster (X) Elizabeth Skinner (X) Greg Schene (A) Rebecca MacLeod (X) Mary Lynn Hickey (X) Tom Hall (X) Quorum present. 3. REVIEW OF MINUTES: Minutes oft the Regular Meeting ofDecember 19, 2023 5. COMMUNIÇATION FROM MAYOR: The Mayor presented a letter (attached) written to our State representatives, Senator Trump and Delegate Miller, outlining the Council's concern regarding the WV Secretary of Transportation'si response (attached) to Council's worry about speed limits in residential areas which are State maintained and the need for crosswalks at busy pedestrian intersections. MOTION: To approve the above-mentioned letter to the WV Secretary of Transportation to be sent as presemtdWebtrsmner Carried  were approved by Common Consent.  4. PERSONS BEFORE COUNCIL: None at this time.  COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS  1. BATHDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (BDA): Next meeting is January 3, 2024. 2. PARKS & REC: No report at this time. The next meeting is January 17. 3. PLANNING COMMISSION (PC): The next meeting is January 11, Ordinance Committee in attendance. Recorder Webster has communicated with Michael Dougherty, WVU: Extension Service concerning a meeting date with the Commission and other interested parties. Studies that Mr. Dougherty may provide 4. RAIL/TRAIL (NBRT): The next meeting, is January 21.1 The progress report. has been submitted to the Town office (attacléd) by Co-Chair Pete Brown. The Committee will meet in the future to discuss how to move forward since the NBRT bids came in unreasonably high. Councilwoman MacLeod provided progress details on the Trail Head landscaping and is meeting with Nature Haven's Landscape 5. STREETSCAPE: The progress report (attehed) has been submitted by Co-Chair, 6. Pete TRAIN Brown. DEPOT: Chairman Webster is organizing interested parties for an initial meeting on January 17. The hope is to facilitate the development of the property for 7. LANDMARK COMMISSION (HLC): Treasurer Ryan Rebant was present to update Council on the group's advancement in satisfying SHPO's requirements and requests made last October. This work will be instrumental for Bath retaining its Certified Local Government status. The HLC. Annual Report has been submitted. Rebant is planning an HLCn meeting on January 25. Rebant also asked that the Ordinance Committee consider amendments to the Bath building demolition code.  with the  would be helpful in the Bath Comprehensive Plan work.  Designer James Dillon.  public use, education, recreation and economic development.  1    Council has received two applications for the vacancy on the HLC (attached). Discussion was held. All volunteers are encouraged to contribute to the HLC. MOTION: To appoint Ken Hoagland to the HLC-Macleod/licky- Carried Recorder Webster presented all members of Council with 2024 calendars produced by the WV SHPO which includes aj picture of a' Town of] Bath building. 8. CLERK/RECORDER REPORT: Clerk Corrick presented an Internal Budget MOTION: To approve the Internal Budget Revision for Public Safety and Public 9. FINANCE: Chairwoman Webster delivered the following bills for approval:  Revision for Public Safety and Public Works. Works as presented- MacLeod/Hickey- Carried  (a) Town ofBath $2,563.66- Motion to approve: Webster/Hickey- Carried (b)BSWW $12,620.85 -I Motion to approve: Webster/Skinner- Carried  10.TREE BOARD: Councilwoman MacLeod made Council aware that the Tree Board is 11.GRANT: The next meeting is January 8 at 4:30pm. Councilwoman MacLeod explained the USDA NRCS (attached) sponsorship requirements to Council. The Warm Springs Watershed must have the sponsorship of an affected political subdivision to move forward with the grant application. This can provide planning for soil conservation and flood prevention due to the new bypass construction. MOTION: To approve acting as a sponsor for the Warm Springs Watershed's USDA/NRCS grant application and possible award- Hickey/Hall- Carried 12.PUBLIC SAFETY: The next meeting is Jan. 10 at 4pm. The BSPD 2024 magnet calendar was given to Council and work organizing it was much appreciated. Hotel/Motel grant assistance from the Morgan County Commission for the installation and annual maintenance of the Civil War Trail interpretive signage for Union General 14.14. PUBLIC WORKS: Next meeting is February 6. Chairwoman MacLeod reported the Freight Liner is having problems. The first snow storm of the season is expected in all to attend the next Ordinance Committee meeting as there are several important issues to be discussed. She is continuing work on the Bath employee handbook and is using 16.BSWW: The next meeting is January 3. Chairman Hall reported that leaks are being fixed, equipment and supplies are being inventoried and operations are being computerized for accuracy. The BSWW has bought the BSPD pickup truck for service use. The 34th Annual International Water Tasting will be in February. 17.MOTION TO. ADJOURN: Approved by Common Consent.  looking into the health ofthe spruce in the Fairfax Green.  next  23. Chairwoman Skinner will be applying for  13.CEMETERY: The  meeting is January  Barstow's grave site in Greenway Cemetery.  that  15.ORDINANCE: days.  The next meeting is January 18. Committee member Hickey encouraged  Harper's Ferry and Shepherdstown handbooks as guides.  Attest: Mayor-  Recorder 2  btrmk  supe    WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Division of Highways 1900 Kanawha Boulevard: East . Building Five-Room: 110 Charleston, West Virginia 25305-0430*( (304)558-3505  Alanna. J. Keller, P.E. Deputy Secretary of' Transportation Deputy Commissioner ofl Highways  Secretary Jimmy ofTransportation Wriston, P.E. Commissioner of Highways  November 22, 2023  Chief ofl Police William Carper Berkeley Springs Police Department 271 Wilkes Street Berkeley Springs, West Virginia 25411 Dear Chief Carper:  Thank you for your letter, dated November 9, 2023, regarding the pedestrian West crossings on Washington Street (US 522), and the speed limit on Wilkes Street in Morgan County, to the Virginia As Joe Pack, Chief Engineer for Operations, explained to Mayor Scott Merki during removed. their prior Since phone conversation, there are great concerns regarding the pedestrian crossings crosswalks that were where there are: no US 522 is a high-volume roadway with a large percentage recommended of trucks, creating without an engineering study. Adding  Division of Highways (WVDOH).  controls such as a traffic signal or a' "Stop" sign is not  for thej pedestrian.  markings without thei installation of other measures may noti improve safety  The history of the establishment of the uncontrolled crosswalks is unknown. At this time, we. have able to ascertain whether they were added by the WVDOH. The existing Stop for pedestrian in is not a legally recognized sign, and it was not installed by the WVDOH. The federal pedestrian crossings have undergone numerous changes in recent years and we are regulations all regarding as we work to install compliant ADA ramps. Due to continued concerns with the  not been crosswalk" sign evaluating crossings more than three months. Morei  is currently underway, and it will be completed in no  crossings in Berkeley Springs, information an engineering willl study be  as soon asi itis available.  provided  As you mention in your letter, Ken Clohan, District Five' Traffic Engineer, WV has State already Code advised is 25 mph. you that unless therei is a school zone the minimum speed limit that can be posted installed per. the WVDOH, and will  Aj permit was noti issued for the sign on Honey Crest Drive, and it was not  by  be addressed. additional Manager at (304): )289-3521.  Again, thank you for writing and sharing your concerns. Should you have any questions or require information, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Lee Thorne, our District Five Engineer/  Sincerely, BRALAE Jimmy Wriston,P.E. Secretary ofTransportationl Commissioner of Highways  JW: Tt  EOMPBAACTDABPOEA    Town of Bath VOLUNTEER APPLICATION  Committee: Please check off the committee(s) you want tos volunteer to serve on. An * indicates that Town of Bath Ordinances and/or West Virginia State Code set qualifications to serve on the committee (e.g., Must bea town resident). Check the Town of Bath's Web Site and/or Facebook Page to seet the documents listed below.  Bath Development. Authority  Cemnetery Management and Maintenance Incorporated  V Historic Landmark Commission* See document, "Qualifications to Serve on the Bath HLC." Planning Commission* See document, "Qualifications to Serve ont the Bath Planning Commission."  Other:  (Train Depot, Grant, Parks & Recs, Treel Board, etc.)  Date:. 121R123  Name:, Address:  Kau Hongland  150 S. 6VPeM 57. BPLKELE Springs, WUA 832-740-3450 Cell, 7  25411  Telephone:.  QGDL. - CoM  Email: TXKDAgIS  Please explain why you want to serve on the committee? Explain any! background, education, or work or professional experience youl have that would contribute to your service on the committee. If possible, attach a copy ofy your resume. Email this form and your resume to thet town clerk at: ownofbath@wwds-net. Or mail them to: Town Clerk, Town of Bath, 271 Wilkes Street 25411. Ify you have any questions, call town hall at 304-258-1102. Thank you.  77 872 7 have  the Duner ot & IDuse built.  A D IOT He  af IAHEVBST I We his YoMC matuve at own- T waut fo gwe back to Goy hew) wowE ad #l5 positou seems a  Updated:1/20/2023 per-eer way    Town of Bath VOLUNTEER APPLICATION  Committee: Please check off the committee(s) you want to volunteer to serve on. An * indicates that Town of Bath Ordinances and/or West Virginia State Code: set qualificationsto serve on the committee (e.g., Must be a town resident), Check the' Town of Bath's' Web Site  and/or Facebook Page to see the documents listed below.  Bath Development Authority  Cemetery Management and Maintenance Incorporated  Historic Landmark Commission* See document, "Quallfications to Serve ont the Bath HLC." Planning Commission* See document, "Quallfications to Serve on the Bath Planning Commission,"  Date:. August 16.2022 Name:, Melissal L.S Schod Address: 10 Cacapon Road  BerkeleySprings. WV (town of bath) 25411  Telephone: (717)752-2196  Cell: (717,752-2196  Please explain why you want to serve on the committee? Explain any background, education, or workor professional experience you have that would contribute to your service ont the committee. If possible, attach a copy ofy your resume. Email thist form and your resume tot thet town clerk at: townofbath@wwcsinet. Orr mall them to: Town Clerk, Town of Bath, 271Wilkes Street 25411. Ifyou History constantly fascinates me. I've been Interested ini the whys and wherefores of how things were done ini the past from a very young age, Imay not be universityt trained In architecture, but there'sa reason behind whys someone would design a structure the wayi it has been and llikei tot find buildings' backstories. Was something pleasing tot the eye, was it structural, was iti the wayt the homeowner) just wanted something to be, was Its something functional? Due to this curiosity, have been led downa a long road ofself-study, bei it hands on at historic sites, reading books, periodicals, online forums, or most recently, during renovations of my husband's and my property here In the Town of Bath, lam al long-time living! historian with an Interest Int the mid-1700s forward and thinkt that Ihavea a unique position that Ican offer the HLCofar mindset that can: see trends from a different erai than ours currently  have any questlons, callt town hall at 304-258-1102. Thank you.    but can also add a modern use aspect to how properties could be utilized and enovations/restorations Wouldicertalnly enjoys seeing a bullding brought back to its full origlnal potential? Yes. Ist this always realistic? No. There is obviouslya a mlshmash of eras of architecture int the Town of Bath, some definitely more ornate versus functional, bute each of these structures has as storyt to tell. Preservation ofthe historic: structures within Morgan County,' West' Virginla, and most certainly within the Historic District of the Town of Bath should be paramount, but not at the expense of the owner losing their property Ift they are not ablet to afford to maintaini it. Thel HLCshould be a committee that the public has access to and has trusti ini to be ablei to address if they! have an Issue, need assistance in obtaining a referral for historic repair, a database of grants that might! be obtained from outside sources, and feel comfortable that they can consult withi for guidance In renovation, Ifwe do not stabilize these buildings and helpt themto  might! ber made affordable.  survive, part oft the story oft the Town of Bath Ist forever erased.    $ $A  $ $    $3S S  3    USDA NRCS Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program  The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention (WFPO) Program helps units oft federal, state, local and federally recognized tribal governments (project sponsors) protect and restore watersheds. Since their enactment in 1948, NRCS watershed programs have designed and built 11,000 dams, constructed water storage structures, flood management systems, bank stabilization, moved towns, redirected stream flows, re-established wildlife habitat and more to save lives and protect watersheds.  Work Plan is developed with community and Sponsor  Funds for implementation are awardedas available  NRCS Chief authorizes Watershed Plan  Locally Led Watershed Solutions  Watershed conservation projects are planned and carried outj jointly by local, state, andi federal agencies with the support of community landowners and citizens in the watershed. Communities identify resource problems to be addressed, practices to bei installed, and carry out major portions of a watershed plan, such as obtaining easements, rights of ways, permits and local cost-share funding. All Watershed Program projects must havea a local sponsor that can act as thei fiscal agent, provide project management and oversight throughout the Once authorized, projects sponsors gain access to NRCS's financial and technical resources to helpi implement their plan. An approved watershed plan must bei in place prior toi initiation of any corrective land treatment or structural solutions. Project sponsors then help landowners carry out the authorized watershed conservation  different phases of construction, implementation, and project lifespan.  measures. ASponsor must be ablet to create and produce effective engagement campaigns, and supporting outreach materials that encourage public participation in the watershed planning process.  NRCS Planning Process  Collection Phasel and Analysis Objectives/ Determine Analyze Resource Data  Identify Problems Phase I Application & Evaluation Implement the Plan Evaluate the Plan  Inyentory Resources  Phasell Decision Support Formulate Evaluate Alternatives Alternatives Make Decisions