Driving through Moorefield won’t get easier any time soon. The West Virginia Department of Highways started the first of four contracts last week involving Main Street.
The contract involves upgrading and extending a drain line from Moorefield High School to Spring Avenue.
The second contract, currently set to start in mid-October, involves paving Main Street from the railroad tracks at Southern States to the intersection of Main and Winchester Avenue.
The third contract will pave Winchester Avenue to Spring Avenue.
The fourth contract, not yet let, will pave Main Street from the stoplight at Winchester Avenue, north. This contract also depends partly on when the drain contract is completed.
Once paving begins on Main Street, the only detour is the route that includes Fisher, Hutter and Darlington School Roads, to the Corridor.[private]
Although this was more of a casual side discussion at the Moorefield Town Council’s meeting on Sept. 15, it was arguably the topic that affects most citizens.
Hardy County’s Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Michele Moure-Reeves briefed her annual report by telephone. Moure-Reeves said their budget was amended to reflect tax revenue reduced by COVID-19, but is actually higher because of approved grants. She said their marketing focus is to plan to visit, as opposed to encouraging visiting right now.
The Council approved a request from Stephanie Miller to change the zoning on the north side of Jackson Avenue from residential, to commercial/C2. Under the last planning ordinance, the section from Main Street to Maple Avenue, which includes Chad’s Barbershop, was zoned commercial. Under the new ordinance, it is residential.
The Town sent letters to residents, and received questions from one, but no complaints. The change will not affect property taxes or current property owners. Miller plans to build a clinic directly behind Dr. Tim Thorne’s dentist office.
The Council approved USDA draw #14, for the Water Plant Project. Triton Construction will receive $782,743.19, and Gwin, Dobson & Foreman will receive $23,572. The total amount is $806,315.19.
Public Works director Lucas Gagnon said the immediate goal is to get everything under a roof before winter.
City Clerk Rick Freeman provided two updates. First, he said Panthera Training Center is completely paid up on their hotel/motel tax; Freeman previously reported the training center was more than a year behind.
Freeman also told the Council that the Town has money left over in Charleston after paying off a sewer bond. The $74,900 is drawing minimal interest, and Freeman recommended withdrawing it back to an account where it can benefit the Town, now. The Council agreed.[/private]
The next meeting is Tuesday, October 6 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall. Masks are required and social distancing is in effect. The public is invited to attend.
