By Hannah Heishman
Cindy Corbin and Joanna Reed from the Eastern Regional Family Network (ERFRN) spoke to the Moorefield Council about services they provide, including an emergency shelter opening January 2026 on Elm Street, at the Council’s Nov. 18 meeting.
ERFRN is prevention-oriented, and assists the community with programs from a baby bank in their office, to anti-drug coalitions and a drug incinerator, to transitional housing for young adults.
In January, they will open an emergency shelter in Moorefield near the courthouse. The shelter is intended to be very short-term, three to four weeks at most. It will be available for those actually homeless: a home is destroyed; tenants are evicted with no family or money; heat is turned-off in midwinter; or if someone is fleeing — for example — domestic violence.
Guests will receive the support they need to find stability and self-sufficiency. Staff will meet with them several times each day to help develop personalized plans. Staff might help acquire identification, find employment, and get into housing.
There will also be an addiction recovery coach on site.
Reed said, “The need’s out there. You don’t really see it until it comes knocking on your door.”
Corbin later added, “I know the work that we do, is gonna be good. We’re gonna provide a service that is needed in this community.”
Corbin spearheaded a similar program in Hampshire County and listed ways residents in the emergency shelter might also be able to help the community.
“When you get people up on their feet, they are contributing to the community,” Reed said.
Kriston Strickler and Bob Cross approached the Council about a culvert near the levee behind Beans Lane.
The culvert was installed, allegedly incorrectly, in part of the Town’s easement, and affects an intentional ponding area created to further prevent flooding into Town.
Strickler said the culvert was installed in August 2024. There are still no retaining walls, and the fill around it was not compacted.
Strickler expressed concern that a ‘gully washer’ like that which hit Durgon a few months ago would be sufficient to overpower the culvert, overflow the ponding area, and cause water to damage or destroy industry and homes nearby.
Her primary concern was establishing responsibility for the culvert and situation with the ponding area, and getting them fixed.
FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) were both affected deeply by government funding cuts and downsizing, making it challenging for Strickler and her mother, Carolyn Strickler, to get information and assistance.
Locally, the Potomac Valley Conservation District and the Town both have potential responsibility, but there is no apparent paper trail establishing which actually is.
Cross worked for the ACOE in quality assurance and control when the levee was built. He said the ponding area as it is now, is not big enough to handle water that would come down from above with 4” of rain, would still flood properties on the other side.
Mayor Scott Fawley confirmed with Public Works Director Lucas Gagnon: The Town will perform maintenance and repair on the culvert.
Gagnon reiterated that, due to downsizing and reduced funding, getting answers from the ACOE has been a challenge.
Gagnon acknowledged the culvert is not finished, not on grade, and will be fixed.
One point on which the Stricklers and Gagnon definitely disagreed, was whether the Town ever requested deeded access through the Stricklers’ land, and what response was given.
The Stricklers say they were never asked. Gagnon said the Town asked, and was told “no.”
Fawley observed no answers would be reached during the meeting. Gagnon offered to host a meeting with all interested parties.
The Council approved the use of fire barrels at Rockin’ New Years Eve, scheduled for the Moorefield Town Park on Dec. 31.
The Moorefield Volunteer Fire Department will be responsible for the barrels, and for extinguishing them after the event.
The Council approved appointing Elizabeth Metheny to the Town Planning Commission.
They also approved an $8800 change order to the Tennis Court project, which will account for work not anticipated and an additional timer for the lights around the court.
The approved City Clerk Rick Freeman’s request to move forward with posting a financial clerk job.
The financial clerk will learn the Town’s utility system, help with bill payments and, depending how the person does, possibly move into the Clerk’s job when Freeman retires.
The Council denied Moorefield Police officer Jeremy Fultz’ request for light duty, but did approve his request to seek additional employment while he is still recovering from a knee injury and repair.
The Council’s meetings are open to the public and streamed online at the Town’s Facebook page. Meetings are at 7 p.m. on each month’s first and third Tuesdays, unless otherwise posted, at the City Hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
