By Hannah Heishman
The Moorefield Town Council approved paying Harbel, Inc. more than $600,000 to completely rebuild the Town Park’s new tennis courts and add pickleball courts at their meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
Council members took their time discussing what has become one of the most-used Park areas. The tennis and original basketball courts were built in 1971.
“They’re at their life expectancy,” Park manager Juwana Bridger-Titus said, adding, “Tennis courts are used way more than people realize.”
They’ve been resurfaced multiple times, with less time between each resurfacing. Cracks in the courts’ surface render it unusable for Moorefield High School’s tennis team, beyond practice.
The rebuild will enable them to host home-court competitions, and provide space for four pickleball courts. Pickleball is increasingly popular, enough that multiple citizens asked Park personnel about constructing courts.
One even donated money to facilitate construction.
The project also includes a shelter on the east side of the project, which would provide shade for tennis fans and audiences watching performances on the stage. Council members requested the contractor review the shelter plans, and consider ways to reduce the price there.
When complete, there will be five tennis courts and four pickleball courts.
Amy Greenwalt reminded the Council of the Oct. 27 Open House from 5 to 6:30 p.m. to allow the public to discuss the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. The public is encouraged to attend the event, located at the Town Hall.
She also briefly discussed Fall Clean-up, which begins Oct. 20.
Council member Luke Kesner asked her about the city noise ordinance. Greenwalt confirmed there is a noise ordinance, from 10 p.m to 7 a.m.
The Council approved purchasing eight enhanced, and six basic greenery arrangements for winter decorations in the planters around Town.
Assistant Public Works Director Doug Mongold requested, and received, permission to use Town equipment to demolish the parking area in front of the Moorefield Volunteer Fire Department as long as he and one other Town employee were the operators. Mongold and the other employee are also members — and in Mongold’s case, Chief — of the fire department.
Mongold reported Christmas lights will go up Nov. 16, and suggested the Town consider purchasing new lights. The current set is at least 35 years old, although a few individuals have been bought to replace lights too damaged to use.
The Town has “about 22” lights, and they cost about $7000 each. There was discussion that the best time to buy new ones would be right after Christmas, and general agreement to get the same type that hang across the street.
Moorefield Police Chief Stephen Riggleman reported 203 calls for service in September. Officers made one felony arrest, 16 misdemeanor arrests, wrote 19 traffic citations and issued five traffic warnings.
Riggleman reported the new portable radios have arrived, been issued, and are utilized by the officers.
All department officers completed Taser training.
He said officers assisted with a bridge dedication ceremony, and did a Storytime event for children at South Branch Smokehouse.
Riggleman said he’s working on mutual aid agreements with partnering agencies.
He requested new computers, citing aging equipment that is no longer reliable or usable across the department. He’d like to get officers laptops that could be used in the office and their cruisers, and included the docking stations required for vehicle use.
“I have attempted to exchange old computers for credit for new devices, and the current computers we are using are so old and obsolete that I was advised to recycle them,” Riggleman said.
“I have attempted to update hardware and software, and it has only minimally helped.”
As the discussion began to include updating all of the Town’s computers and debate over different needs across different offices, the Council tabled the discussion.
Tayare Meade, from Eastern Allegheny Council for Human Services (EACHS) Head Start, talked to the Council about October being National Head Start Awareness Month.
She told the Town their last contribution was used to buy three desktop computers for three classrooms, and six tablets.
Meade said Hardy County’s program, which includes Moorefield, is growing.
The Council approved the American Legion Riders’ request to use the Main Street/Winchester Avenue square during Trick or Treating on Nov. 1.
They approved Justin Murray’s request for a $1000 donation towards the Rockin’ New Years Eve celebration, to be held at the Moorefield Town Park.
“Anything helps,” Murray said. “It all adds up.” No alcohol is permitted, and the event will run from 10 p.m. until just after midnight.
Following a brief executive session the Council hired a new Moorefield Police Officer. He will start Oct. 20
The Council meets again on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
