TOWN OF BATH COUNCIL! MEETING  December 19, 2023  1. ORDER: @ 5:30pm by Mayor.  2. ROLL CALL: Scott Merki (X) Susan Webster (X) Elizabeth Skinner (X) Greg Schene (X) Rebecca MacLeod (X) Mary Lynn Hickey (X) Tom Hall (X) Quorum present. 3. REVIEW OF MINUTES: Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 5, 2023 were 4. PERSONS BEFORE COUNCIL: Mayor Merki requested that the agenda be amended to move up the Historic Landmark Commission report in order to introduce MOTION: To amend the agenda to bring forward the Historic Landmark The Mayor introduced Mr. Ken Hoagland who introduced himself and family and expressed his desire to serve on the HLC. The Mayor said that he expected a decision West Virginia US Senate candidate Zach Shrewsbury was permitted three minutes to 5. COMMUNICATION. FROMMAYOR: The Mayor presented a recently received letter from the WV Secretary of Transportation (attached) responding to the request ofthe Town of Bath about crosswalk installation and reducing speed limits on streets maintained by the WV DOH. The Mayor expressed his displeasure with the negative answer from the Secretary and asked for the authority to write a letter back to the Secretary and to copy all of our WV State representatives conveying these MOTION: To authorize the Mayor to write to the Secretary of Transportation and copy local State representatives concerning the above mentioned issues- The Bath Deck the Meters holiday winners were announced with the Blessing Box being awarded First Place, the Morgan County Jeepers in Second Place and the Morgan County Girl Scouts Troop 40764 in Third Place. Much appreciation was shown to all participants and to Assistant Clerk Breauna Farris for her production of The Bath holiday lunch will be Thursday, December 21 for staff and Council members. Gratitude was shown for the restaurants participating in the buffet. The Bath offices will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Staff will  approved by Common Consent.  an applicant for the vaçancy on that Board (attached). Commission report- MacLeod/Fickey- Carried to be made on this position in the new year. introduce himself to Council and the public.  MOTION: To resume the regular agenda- Webster/MacLeod- Carried  sentiments.  Webster/Hall- Carried  the event.  also enjoy December 22 off per the Mayor.  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 December 20.  1    3. PLANNING COMMISSION (PC): The next meeting is January 11, with the 4. RAIL/TRAIL (NBRT): The next meeting is December 27. The progress report has been submitted to the Town office (attached) by Co-Chair Pete Brown. The bids for the project have come in well over budget. The Committee will meet in the future to discuss how to move forward. Councilwoman MacLeod was present to provide 5. STREBTSCAPE: The progress report (attached) has been submitted by Co-Chair Pete Brown. Councilwoman MacLeod was present for comment and questions. 6. TRAIN DEPOT: Chairman Webster reported that future steps include organizing interested parties to plan and facilitate the development of the property for public use, 8. CLERK/RECORDER REPORT: Assistant Clerk Farris made Council aware of the ongoing support of the Blessing Box concept which was introduced to the community with the Deck the Meters project. The Blessing Box provides a way for people to donate items to those in need while also providing privacy for those in need MOTION: To research and establish a permanent appropriate location for the 9. FINANCE: Chairwoman Webster delivered the following bills for approval: (a) Town of Bath $21,090.92- Motion to approve: Webster/MacLeod- Carried (b) BSWW $41,663.47 - Motion to approve: Webster/MacLeod- Carried (c) Cemetery $2,000.00- Motion to approve: Webster/Hickey- Carried An Internal Budget Revision was also made in Committee for Public Safety. 10. TREE BOARD: Councilwoman MacLeod made Council aware that the Board is looking into Board member appointment terms for consideration. 11.GRANT: The next meeting is January 10 at 4:30pm. The USDA grant for Warm Springs Run Watershed planning will be on the next Council agenda for Council 12.PUBLIC SAFETY: The Mayor provided information on vehicle changes between the BSPD and the BSWW. The committee is looking into the Park Mobile system for on street parking control. Chief Carper is pleased with residents obeying parking code in 13. CEMETERY: The next meeting is December 26. Seventeen trees are being planted by the shed in Greenway to improve the environment and aesthetics of the area. 14. PUBLIC WORKS: Next meeting is January 2. Chairwoman MacLeod reported that potholes have been fixed. More frequently used thoroughfares receive priority attention. 15. ORDINANCE: The next meeting is. January 18. Chairman Schene's research is continuing on amending the B&0 ordinance, the BSWW tariff and creating a short-term rental ordinance. He reported that there are three properties in Bath that havel been purchased. He said the new owners are considering residential or commercial building. 16.1 BSWW: The Committee meetings will now be on the first and third Wednesdays of  Ordinance Committee.  progress details on the Trail Head landscaping project.  education, recreation and economic development. 7.LANDMARK COMMISSION (HLC): Nothing further.  to receive the donations.  Blessing Box - Webster/Hickey - Carried  deliberation.  Town.  2    every month at 2pm starting in January. The Committee is reviewing the current water tariff with intentions to address the unmet needs. The BSWW is in the process of acquiring the BSPD pickup truck for service use. The 34th Annual International Water Tasting will be in February. Those who wish to participate must have their entries in by  January 23.  17.MOTIONTO. ADJOURN: Approved by Common Consent.  Attest:  Mayor te.pk  Recorder Deafbse  3    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 qualifiçations to serve on the committee (e.g., Must bea 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, "Qualifications to Serve on the Bath HLC." Planning Commission* See document, Qualifications to Serve on the Bath Planning Commission."  Other:  (Train Depot, Grant, Parks & Recs, Tree Board, etc.)  Date: 121R.123  Name: Address:  Kou Hongland  156  S. 6VPEM 57.  BELKELEI Springs WUA- 332-740-3456 7  25411  Telephone:  Cell  & QDL. L COMA  Email: TXKDAgIeS  Please explain why you want to serve ont 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 andy your resume to the town clerk at: townofbath@wydsine: 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.  built. 772 7 have  AS the DunEr ot & ouse  at IN-EVBST I1 We hisyonc matuve at towu- I waut fo gwe back to VY hew) uowE ad Yl15 positu seews a  & IOT He  Updated:1/20/2023 perer way    WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Division of Highways 19001 Kanawha Boulevard East*Building Five-] Room 110 Charleston, West Virginia 259850.90-00955.3585  Jimmy Wriston, P.E. Secretary ofTransportation Commissioner of] Highways  Alanna J. Keller, P.E. Deputy Secretary of Transportation Deputy Commissioner of] Highways  November. 22, 2023  Chiefo of] Police' William Carper Berkeley Springs Police Department 271 Wilkes Street Berkeley Springs, West' Virginia 25411 Dear Chief Carper: Washington  Thank you for your letter, dated November 9, 2023, regarding the pedestrian West crossings on Street 522), and the speed limit on Wilkes Street in Morgan County, to the Virginia  (US Chief Engineer  Division ofl Highways (WVDOH). As Joe Pack,  for Operations, explained to Mayor Scott Merki during their prior  the pedestrian crossings that were removed. Since improve safety for thej pedestrian.  phone conversation, there are great concerns regarding of trucks, creating crosswalks where there are no US 522 is al high-volume roadway with al large percentage not recommended without an engineering study. Adding  controls such as a traffic signal or a "Stop" sign is markings without the installation of other measures may noti  establishment of the uncontrolled crosswalks is unknown. At this time, we have  The history of the  were added the WVDOH. The existing "Stop for pedestrian in  not been able to ascertain whether they sign, and by it was not installed by the WVDOH. The federal crosswalk" sign is not a legally recognized have undergone numerous changes in recent years and we are  regulations regarding pedestrian work crossings to install evaluating all crossings as we more than three months. Morei As you that unless there is a school zone A] permit was not issued for the sign on Honey be addressed. Again, additional information, please Manager at (304)289-3521.  ADA ramps. Due to continued concerns with the compliant currently underway, and it will be completed in no  crossings in Berkeley Springs, information an engineering willl study be provided is as soon asi itis available.  mention in letter, Ken Clohan, District Five' Traffic Engineer, has already advised you  your the minimum  limit that can be posted per WV State Codei is 25 mph. Crest speed Drive, andi it was noti installed by the WVDOH, and will  thank for writing and sharing your concerns. Should you have any questions or require  you  do not hesitate to contact Mr. Lee Thorne, our District Five Engineer/  Sincerely, ARLAE Jimmy Wriston,P.E. Secretary of Transportation Commissioner ofl Highways  JW: Tt  EONFRMAMAACTOIBPUNA    tA  D 9  - Q à a  i5  S 8   /- -     € 3  o e  .  S  s a &  E  3    )    D  :  D  a    I  3 de s  3 a E  a 6  0 de  3    Streetscape Phase' V:  Following up withi first DOH Reimbursement of $15Kf for Design' Work. Finance Committee approved the first payment to Thrasher for1 the 30% Design materials. The Town received the Formal Phase V Construction Funding Agreement from DOH on Monday. This sets the agreed budget OfTA Grants and Town Cash Match and is one oft the milestones The next milestone is the completion oft the Construction Drawings currently at 90% and due to  needed to get to the contract award. be complete by the end ofJ January 2024 There is no Streetscape Committee Meetingi in Dec  State Park Project:  Sent photo update of progress to interested DOH and Town parties last week, that report is  attached.  NBRT:  Bids were opened on Dec 12th as planned. Apparent low bid off $2,795,000 is $828,982.99 over Taked briefly with Mark Scoular (DOH) on Dec 13th he did not yet have info on what is likely Recommendedi that. Joel have discussion with DOH on this since lam out of Town for the rest There is no NBRT Task Force Meeting in Dec. -Will update the Task Force when we hear  the Budget of $1,966,017.11 tol happen next. of Dec.  something from DOH on the funding situation.    Berkeley Springs State Park Work-n-Progress Photos  Repaired Stone Walls of the Run  West' Wall  East' Wall  Both Walls- -Looking South toward Country Inn Bridge  East Wall  West Wall with Repair after Removal of  North Bridge    Berkeley Springs State Park Work-in-Progress Photos  Removing the South Bridge  The New South Bridge at the Factory Priort to final Black Powder Coat and Decking  New West Side Abutment for New South Bridge (Behind new stone wall)    Berkeley Springs State Park Work-in-Progress Photos  Removing the North Bridge  Bridge Sawed in Half-Excavator Could not Break It Free  The Reason the Bridge was so Hard to Remove (Concrete Deck Strengthened by Internal Railroad Rails)  Chains from Excavator being Connected to Outer Edge to  "Lever Up" and Pull Bridge    Berkeley Springs State Park Work-n-Progress Photos New Colored and Stamped Concrete Sidewalks  Example of Curved Area Edge Stamping at Sidewalk Intersection (Cleaning & Sealing noty yet done)  East of Run Sidewalk Looking South from Fairfax St (Section nearest cameral is still wet (dark) from washing and  Close-up Near Fairfax St (still wet)  sealant)        3 3S S 3  s    I$A