By Hannah Heishman
Moorefield Town Council members voted to drop the speed on Maple Avenue from 25 to 15 mph, starting as soon as they can get the signs. They met Tuesday, Sept. 16.
Maple Ave.’s extended straight stretch has tempted Moorefield drivers for years, particularly those trying to get around school traffic. With the construction of Maplewood Gardens, both walking and driving traffic have increased — as has the number of children.
Maple Place, senior living apartments, is next up for construction and will have a crosswalk north of Maplewood Gardens.
Council reasoning including Maple’s width, its proximity to schools and the Town Park, and that non-English speakers will understand the signs more easily.
The Council also discussed new signs to mark Town limits. Their plan is to use stone signs (similar to Town Park, but not digital) on U.S. Route 220 north and south of Town; less elaborate, possibly ‘wrought iron’ signs on the South Fork and State Route 55; and then simpler, sturdier, and larger signs on Corridor H.
The signs will replace older signs placed for an Eagle Scout project in the mid-1990s ahead of Moorefield’s 250-year anniversary in 2026.
The Council tabled decisions on the signs’ exact designs until they receive pricing quotes.
Mayor Scott Fawley recognized Ed Cole, Jr., representing Oak Hill Cemetery. The Town helped Oak Hill with funding for ground-penetrating radar to detect unknown locations of human remains within the cemetery.
The testing found at least 174 sets of remains, and put to rest a rumor that bodies were buried on top of others: They are not.
The cemetery is open on Saturday, Sept. 27 during Heritage Weekend, with tours scheduled for 9 and 11 a.m., and 1 p.m.
Fawley presented Cole with a check for $250. Fawley assists different organizations each month by donating from his mayor’s salary back into the community.
Fawley introduced the Town’s new public relations specialist, Shayna Helmick, who was recording the meeting and conducting a limited live stream as a rehearsal to live stream future meetings.
Fawley also publicly thanked those who worked on the Sept. 12 Celebrate Moorefield event at the Town Park, before the Moorefield High School football game with Hampshire High School.
The Council meets again Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m., at the Town Hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
