TOWN OF BATH COUNCIL MEETING  Tuesday, January 3, 2023  1. CALL TO ORDER: @ 5:30pm by Mayor.  2. ROLL CALL: Scott Merki (X) Susan Webster (X) Chris Chapman (X) Rose Jackson (A) Elizabeth Skinner (X) Greg Forney (X) Rick Weber (A) Quorum present. 3. REVIEW OF MINUTES: Minutes ofthe Regular Meeting of December 20, 2022 4. PERSONS BEFORE COUNCIL: Businesswoman Regina Gorsuch addressed Council with concerns about divisions that have developed in the business community. She offered suggestions on reconciliation and hopes for good will. Sue Evans presented Council with a letter (attached) requesting more public safety for her property, herself and her employees due to animosities toward her by a TBS President Stephanie Rebant expressed her desire for peaceful coexistence and  were approved by Common Consent.  neighboring business. economic prosperity.  The Mayor permitted discussion by meeting attendees.  Mayor Merki and Councilmen made statements reiterating their positions encouraging resolution of disputes by recognized methods, disavowing negativity in action and speech and explaining the limitations ofs small-town government in civil Councilwoman Skinner raised a point of order requesting that the meeting be 5. COMMUNICATIONI FROM MAYOR: The Mayor announced that the WV Center on Budget and Policy was meeting in the County Commission Room at 6:30 on this  and criminal legal action. returned to the regular agenda. day and that all are invited.  COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS  1. BATH DEVBLOPMENT AUTHORITY (BDA): President. Lisa Stine reported that the BDA is moving forward with projects including a late spring event in town. The next meeting is January 18th in the County Commission Room. 2. PARKS & REC: The next meeting is January 18th in the Courthouse. 3. PLANNING COMMISSION (PC): The next meeting is January 5, 2023. The Comprehensive Plan Assessment sub-committee continues to meet. President Landon has attended many organization'smectings in the community to learn about their roles and functions. He would like to see more group leaders attend Bath 4. RAIL/TRAIL: The progress report has been submitted to the Town office (attached). Rebecca MacLeod reported that the remediation may have a cost overrun of $7,000 5. STREBISCAPB: Committee Co-Chair Pete Brown has submitted reports to the Town office (attached). The Committee is waiting on a Notice to Proceed on design.  Council meetings.  or more.  1    6. TRAIN DEPOT: Chairman Webster reported that work progress continues on the interior rehab ofthe Depot. The next Owners Meeting will be. January 11th at lpm. 7. LANDMARK COMMISSION (HLC): No report at this time. President John Mason reminded Council that the next HLC: meeting is January 12th at 2pm. 8. CLERK/RECORDER REPORT: No reports at this time. 9. FINANCE: Chairwoman Webster delivered the following bills for approval. (a) Town of] Bath $12,944.04-Motion to approve: Forney/Chapman- Carried (b) BSWW $5,255.96-1 Motion to approve: Forney/Chapman- Carried (c)Hotel/Motel Dabunemet-s2507164 Motion to approve: Forney/Chapman- 10. TREE BOARD: No report at this time. Next meeting is January 18th at 4pm. 11.GRANT: Chairman Forney and Councilman Chapman will meet to discuss ARPA 13.CEMETERY: Chairman Skinner explained that Gen. Barstow's headstone has been repaired and set up in Greenway Cemetery. The Morgan County Historic and Genealogical Society has donated $1,200.00 for the educational sign to be placed at this site. A ceremony to dedicate Barstow's headstone is being planned with historian and 15. ORDINANCE: Councilman Chapman reported that the Committee is working on updating the personnel manual. The Committee is studying a draft ordinance produced by the Tree Board. Legal assistance may be sought due to private property concerns with the 16. BERKELEY SPRINGS WATER WORKS: The next meeting is January 9th at 4:30pm.  Carried funds.  12. PUBLIC SAFETY: No report at this time.  author Steve French.  14. PUBLIC WORKS: Christmas tree pick up has started.  ordinance as currently written.  7,MOTIONTOADOURNS Approved by Common Consent.  Attest: Mayor  Recorder  JTEANA  Slubslin  2    Carmeletta Sue Evans Mountain! Laurel Artisans 1N. Washington Street Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 December 27, 2022  Town ofBath 271 Wilkes Street Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 RE: SAFETY ISSUES Dear Mayor and Council Members:  On Sunday, December 18, 2022 as Charlie and I were pulling into a parking space in front of our shop, a man leaving thel Fairfax Coffee Shop got into ai red pickup truck across the street. I got out of our vehicle and proceeded to wait at1 the door while Charlie was getting some things out oft the back seat oft thet truck. The man in the red truck rolled his window down as he waited at the traffic light, yelling something to Charlie, referring to us as "fuckups". Thei man then looked at me and: said "Is that a woman or a dog?1 Maybe Charlie received at threatening email from ai man: inl New York State whom hel has never met and twor rounds ofemails have gone out to our artisans (over 30 ofthem) from David Abruzzi and B. Crittenden Freeman, in attempts to destroy our business, the most recent round being sent out December 21 by Mr. Freeman. The emails to our artisans encouraged them to take action against us based onl lies about us. Additionally, Charlie and I were specifically named several times in the article stirring hatred against our community published by Southern Poverty Law Center, an extreme leftist hate group which is notorious Charlie is now carrying a gun because wei no longer feel safe on the streets of Berkeley Springs. I fear for thes safety ofmy employees and have asked them toj park as close to our shop as possible so that I can watch Given the climate towards us, I am asking that the Town work with us regarding parking arrangements for our employees. Wea are willing toj pay ai monthly feei for access toi metered parking onl Fairfax Street to allow our: female employees access to parking within sight of our shop. Ido not want my employees to have to walk across Washington Street to a dark parking lot, out of my sight in the evenings, and it's difficult for them to get out of the shop toj put money in ai meter every two hours, which would also put them on the Iam asking that you work with us until the climate of this town changes and the attacks on us and our business ends. Otherwise, we! have absolutely no choice but to close our door and walk away. Wei need our  its should just! be put down.", then drove awayl howling until he was out ofsight.  fori inciting violence against anyone who does not share their political views.  them to their vehicles.  street more often.  employees and Ineed to know they are safe.  Sincerely, Sucgo Sue Evans Mountain Laurel Artisans.