News

Moorefield Council Meeting Wide-Ranging

Ed Kesecker provided the Moorefield Town Council with an update on the levee bike trail at the Council’s meeting on February 4. The Town has partnered with the Hardy County Parks and Recreation committee to construct the trail.

Kesecker sought approval to forward a permit to the Army Corps of Engineers for a gravel path with ramps on and off the levee.

Kesecker said long-term plans are to both pave the trail, and ensure it’s lighted; for now, cameras are planned to provide security.

The Council approved his request.

Moorefield Police Department

Moorefield Police Department answered 190 calls in January. They made 131 felony arrests and 62 misdemeanor arrests, and wrote 195 combined traffic citations and warnings.

Chief Stephen Riggleman reported that the department has a suspect in custody for multiple burglaries, and an arrest is pending following thefts of power tools. 

Riggleman said the MPD collaborated with the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office on a drug raid on South Elm Street. Approximately one ounce of crystal methamphetamine was seized.

MPD received a donation of two BC300 Body Cameras. The department previously [private]recovered two stolen cameras that belonged to PSSI. PSSI donated those cameras, and said they may donate more.

Riggleman and Police Sergeant Kevin Helmick plan to visit Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, Pa. to tour the facility and select MPD’s K9 officer.

Public Works

Water crews installed a new 6” water meter in the back boiler room at Pilgrims Cook Plant; the old one was not working correctly. 

They repaired a water leak at the end of Cold Spring Road. This line must still be uncovered, and all the bolts, nuts and washers must be replaced with stainless steel at a total cost of $8994. 

Water personnel traveled to Wilmington, Ohio and Wellsburg, W.Va. to look at water meter systems. They’re looking for meters that can be checked from the office, which will save time each month. Water meters will be replaced as part of Moorefield’s downtown water line work.

Sewer personnel installed a new pump at the South Moorefield Station; it went bad on a Saturday and wouldn’t work. 

They pulled pumps several times at the South Branch Inn Station. Several times each month, pumps at this station get stopped up. This station covers South Branch Inn, American Woodmark, and Caledonia Heights, and was intended to cover a fraction of that.

The Sewer department received the new Vactor truck, which is now in service.

Moorefield Town Park crews built a new trash bin for outside the Town Office, and began building new benches and planters for use around the Park. They’re still installing new exercise equipment around the Park trail.

Street personnel plowed and cindered roads during a winter weather event, and took down Christmas lights on Main Street.

Other

The Council approved two property subdivision requests. Both were previously approved by the Planning Commission. 

One, from Robbie Harper, involves a USDA grant-funded apartment complex on Beans Lane. It will consist of 20 apartments in two buildings, with a third community building. 

The complex is expected to take three acres of a nine-acre field.

The second request, from Lary Garrett, involved sub-dividing a garden from a home on Washington Street.

The Council appointed Billie Jo Biddle to the Planning Commission.[/private]

Then next meeting is Tuesday, February 18, at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall. The public is invited to attend.