By Hannah Heishman
The Moorefield Council met Jan. 6 for its first meeting of 2026. The meeting was not long, but the agenda included a number of items.
Amy Greenwalt reminded the community that a survey is available so that citizens may help shape the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. The deadline is the end of this month. The survey is online at https://rb.gy/p5gx70.
Hard copies are available in English and Spanish at the Town Office on Winchester Ave. Call Greenwalt at 304-530-6142 with questions.
“It’s a great way for the community to give feedback,” Greenwalt said.
She updated the Council on ongoing rental unit inspections. This year the Town has inspected 75 units; 245 units have been approved, with certificates. She said most violations are minor and easily fixed, such as purchasing escape ladders for units above ground level; the ladders run around $75 each, depending how long they need to be.
Mayor Scott Fawley said, “(There’s) still some resistance, but I think it’s been worth it, that we’ve adopted this.”
Greenwalt provided some year-to-date comparisons, as her office has two years of data. In 2024, the Town issued 132 permits with an improvement value of $4,691,910. Revenue to the Town was $4010.
In 2025, the Town issued 104 permits with an improvement value of $9,670,515. Revenue received was $3525.
Greenwalt said differences were primarily in project size and the increasing cost of materials.
In 2024, 273 property owners were contacted about 338 code violations. When the year ended, 303 were resolved, with 35 pending.
In 2025, 213 property owners were contacted about 261 code violations. At year’s end, 224 were resolved, with 37 pending.
Greenwalt presented a rezoning request, already approved by the Town planning commission. The request involves a property currently zoned residential (R1); the owner asked to rezone it to C2, which is how adjoining properties are zoned. The owner would like to be able to construct storage units.
The property is beside the former Eastern Building Supply, behind the building currently used by West Hardy EMS. The Council approved the request.
The Council also approved a request to subdivide a different property in a way that allows short term rentals. The subdivision was previously approved to allow individual units to be sold or long-term rentals; the change allows the property owner more options.
The Moorefield Police Department responded to 203 calls for service in December, including 19 felony arrests and 22 misdemeanor arrests. They issued 53 traffic citations, and gave 80 traffic warnings.
MPD officers did two separate Cram the Cruiser events, one at Capon Valley Bank, and another at Moorefield High School. They also did Shop With A Cop at Walmart; $1500 worth of toys were purchased and donated to the Moorefield Presbyterian Church.
Chief Stephen Riggleman said computer docking stations are installed in five cruisers. While mounting e-printers, Riggleman said mounts were required that would cost $800. He contacted the Connecticut State Police Fleet Division, which ended up donating the mounts. The department paid $52 to get the mounts mailed.
The Council also approved a request to upgrade a part-time officer to a full-time position.
Following a December presentation from Ryan Runions, the Council approved a $2000 donation to the Family Support Center.
They approved the second monetary draw towards the tennis courts, $159,472.65.
The Moorefield Council meets again Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall. Citizens are encouraged to attend, or watch the meeting on the Town’s Facebook page.
