The Moorefield Town Council met Nov. 2, because Town Hall was a polling place Nov. 3 for the general election.
The Council approved a draft agreement with Hardy County regarding payment for the dog warden’s services. The discussion began at the Oct. 20 meeting, during which Council members asked questions requiring additional information.
City Clerk Rick Freeman clarified that the Town will pay the County. The County will pay the warden, currently Jim Shupe, a specific sum each year from the Town. The rest of what the Town pays will go towards things like dog food and pound maintenance.
The amount the Town will pay the County is still undetermined and unapproved, as the County Commission must also review and approve the agreement.
Public Works director Lucas Gagnon reported that sewer lines at several locations, such as Vetter’s Car Wash, are cleaned monthly, now, to keep them from becoming problems.
Water crews installed a new fire hydrant on Kuykendall Lane; the old one was leaking too badly to be repaired. They installed three water taps on Hedrick Drive and a commercial water tap on Cold Springs Road for chicken houses. They are short a water plant operator, so one employee is getting hours to become a Class I water operator. Another employee completed the Class II operator course and test.
Fortiline has installed 790 of 1300 new water meters, with help from Town personnel. Gagnon estimates it will take two more months to finish.
Sewer personnel cleaned the line from the DMV to East Brighton twice in the last month. They also cleaned and jetted manholes that the Department of Highways uncovered and located during repaving.
Park personnel removed grass and weeds from infields, started leaf removal, and received their new mower. They winterized the park, and began work on the new park entrance sign. The park also sponsored the Run for Joy.
Street and levee crews mowed the island upstream from the Hester bridge, mowed the levee, patched streets, and conducted vehicle maintenance. The Army Corps of Engineers completed their annual levee inspection. “It went well,” Gagnon said.
Before adjourning, the Council approved the second budget revision for the General Fund, necessary to fund previously approved raises and in case the Town must fund the Landmark Commission’s efforts to add the expanded historic district to the National Register of Historic Places.
Freeman said grant requests for the Higgins House renovation were denied. He’s working on a grant for the Landmark Commission that is due the end of the month, but expressed concern it would also be denied. The budget change is an increase of $90,173.
Gagnon thanked the Council for approving employee raises. “Employees were very grateful for the raises,” he said.
Freeman concurred, adding that several employees made a point of asking him to thank the Council, because the raises were going to “make real differences” for them.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall. The public is encouraged to attend. Masks are required and social distancing is in effect.