Water board approves $25K engineering study; council to weigh property maintenance code
Shepherdstown's Water and Sanitary Board approved a $25,000 engineering report for a lead service line replacement project, the most consequential decision from the past week's town meetings. The Town Council meets Aug. 12 to vote on a property maintenance code and other items.
Water board approves engineering study
The Water and Sanitary Board voted July 28 to accept a $25,000 proposal from GHOSH Engineers to develop a Preliminary Engineering Report for the Lead Service Replacement project. The project will replace 422 galvanized service lines that cannot be proven to have never been connected to lead lines. The board added a requirement that the report include all engineering information needed to apply for construction funding from the WV Drinking Water Revolving Fund. The vote tally was not recorded in the minutes.
Parks committee reviews park conditions
The Parks and Recreation Committee met July 28 and approved its agenda and the May 26 minutes, both unanimously. Members reported that Rumsey Park is in its best condition in years and that the text for a replacement panel honoring James Rumsey is acceptable. The committee forwarded the panel text to the mayor and council for review and approval, but took no formal vote on that action.
Agenda-only meetings this week
Three other committees met this week but have not yet published minutes, so no decisions are confirmed.
- **Historic Landmarks Commission (Aug. 3):** Will consider a roof replacement application at 205 W. Washington St., workshop a porch restoration at 201 N. Mill St., and discuss an interpretive plan and historic preservation award nominations.
- **Grants Committee (Aug. 4):** Scheduled to review grant opportunities including a shuttle concept, Chesapeake Bay Trust Green Streets, and trail grants, and to adopt a final intake form and discuss a draft committee charter.
- **Finance Committee (Aug. 5):** Will review community grant applications from The Wall Native Garden, Boots-on-the-Ground Youth Leadership Academy, and Shepherdstown Chess Club, and plan the FY28 budget timeline.
Coming up: Town Council
The Town Council meets Aug. 12 with public hearings on a planned unit development ordinance amendment and adoption of the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code. The council will also vote on special event requests (Constitution Day Parade, Rubber Ducky Race, Appalachian Heritage Festival, Homecoming Parade), community grants for Jamie Byron and the Shepherdstown Chess Club, and a resolution on online ordinance display. Updates on ongoing projects are also on the agenda.