The Moorefield Town Council met May 6 for one of the last times before elections on June 10. Two council seats and the mayor’s position are up for election.
Mayor Carol Zuber called the meeting to order and gave visitors a chance to speak. TaYare Meade invited the Council to Head Start’s 60th anniversary and end of year celebration on May 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Town Park.
Amy Greenwalt, Code Enforcement and Building/Improvement permits, said the Town contacted 23 property owners with 27 separate code violations, mostly grass, weeds, yard junk and clutter.
To date this year, the Town has contacted 71 property owners about 90 violations. Of those, 47 are resolved, 33 are pending official notification, and three have resulted in legal action.
In April, the Town approved 10 building or improvement permits.To date, the Town has approved 28 permits for an improvement value of $258,000.
Greenwalt also reported on Spring Cleanup. Town crews collected 15 loads at 16.65 tons of waste. She said that was much less than last year, which was more than 20 tons.
Tommy and Debby Crites are planning to build more affordable community housing near Caledonia Heights, on approximately 50 acres. It meets all zoning requirements.
Council member Terry Hardy asked if anyone on nearby properties had expressed concern regarding property values. Greenwalt said she hadn’t heard of any issues.
The Council approved the subdivision.
Moorefield Police Chief Stephen Riggleman reported the department responded to 175 calls in April. Officers made two felony arrests, 11 misdemeanor arrests, 42 traffic citations, and three traffic warnings.
Beginning April 1, officers were assigned mandatory department training for Autism and Mental Health Disorders. Five officers also completed basic tactical medical care.
MPD officer Jon Baniak, assisted by Hardy County Sheriff’s Deputies, arrested a fugitive wanted in Arizona for manslaughter and aggravated assault.
Riggleman gave the Council an update on Branson Lane. An officer observed traffic over a week to monitor traffic patterns. Traffic flow was relatively light, with no excessive speeds witnessed.
Riggleman advised clearly marking the street 15 miles per hour at both ends, and leaving it open to both north- and south-bound traffic.
The Council approved purchase of 10 new portable radios from Discount Communications and Electronics for $29,777.50. The radios will replace 13-year-old outdated portables that are falling apart with no parts available for repair.
K9 officer Riso was retired from the department, effective April 18. He will remain with his former handler.
Regarding personnel, Riggleman said one person started the academy, and a second who is already trained will start after he has qualified on his weapon.
The Council approved hiring a third, with one year of probation.
Council members, Public Works director Lucas Gagnon and Park director Juwana Bridger Titus again discussed constructing a multipurpose building at the Town Park.
They tossed around ideas ranging from a larger facility, to multiple stories, and what types of activities the building might enable.
Council member Scott Fawley summarized the Council’s true debate: “Do we do what we can, now, or do we delay and do more and do it right?”
Titus noted that, with little for youth to do in colder months, “this would be a happening place.” She said she’d scheduled a meeting with those planning a similar facility in Baker, to ensure Moorefield wouldn’t duplicate something that will, by then, already exist.
She also noted that youth league sports are all short on practice space, including basketball.
Gagnon suggested forming a subcommittee to work out ideas, and present those to the Council. Zuber agreed that would be a good idea. Fawley and Hardy both volunteered, The committee will also likely include Titus and Gagnon, and possibly at least one student.
Gagnon also reminded the Council to consider long-term plans for the pool. A new liner, just installed, will extend the life of the existing facility about another decade, at most.
Titus said about 50 of 80 possible free swim days were committed for the summer. She planned to start filling the pool within the week, for opening on Memorial Day.
The Council next approved four employees, including City Clerk Rick Freeman and Gagnon, as signatories for a new bank account.
They approved the results of an audit conducted on the Town officer. Freeman said the audit found the Town’s operations were, “clean; everything is in good shape.”
The Council meets again Tuesday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
