The Moorefield Town Council tabled a decision regarding opening the Town Pool for the 2020 season until May during their meeting by telephone on April 21.
Park Manager Juwana Bridger spoke to Hardy County Health Administrator Bill Ours. She said he suggested she, “err on the side of caution.”
Bridger and the Council discussed options and the tasks that must be completed before the pool can open, including hiring life guards and preparing the pool facility itself. Bridger said it normally takes “four to five solid weeks” to get everything ready.
“I think it’s better to err on the side of safety,” Bridger said, “but it’s not a decision that’s easy to make.”[private]
Generally, the pool is busiest from when it opens on Memorial Day Weekend through the Fourth of July holiday. After that, practices start and college students begin leaving.
The Council advised Bridger to move forward with pool preparations at minimal cost. Efforts will focus on cleaning and repairing rather than painting. The Council will make a final decision in May.
Utilities
At their first April meeting, the Council opted to waive March utilities late fees due to novel coronavirus-related concerns. Public Works director Lucas Gagnon reported that “four or five people” had their utilities cut off for not paying at all.
“We made every effort before, to not turn off their utilities,” Gagnon said.
The Town charges $25 to turn utilities back on.
In April, the Town will not waive late fees.
“Last month, we had a lot going on, (including) reduced hours, that influenced our decision to waive,” noted council member Scott Fawley.
Many local businesses are still working and hiring, including Pilgrims. Additionally, many citizens have received their stimulus checks, which were intended to help with bills.
City Clerk Rick Freeman estimated it would cost the Town approximately $9000 to waive the fees again in April.
The Council also discussed a contract with Fortiline to replace water meters. Current meters were installed in 2003. As they age, they slow.
The new meters will be read from the Town office, and will pay for themselves in five to six years, Gagnon said.
The total cost will be around $550,000, most of which will be paid with a U.S. Department of Agriculture loan.
During the loan discussion, council member Carol Zuber recused herself, as she is an employee at Capon Valley Bank, which provided a quote.
Freeman said the Town received three quotes, all the same: All had 1 percent origination fees, and were 2.99 percent interest for five years.
Fawley asked about paying off the loan faster, as that would reduce the interest. Council members also discussed splitting the loan between the local banks that provided the quotes.
Freeman said he would ask about shorter-term loans, and the possibility of splitting the loan. The Council tabled the decision.
Other Business
The Council approved payment for renovations to the Moorefield Police Department office, to better accommodate the addition of K9 officer Riso. The department received three bids, and the Council accepted the bid by Jay Kesner Construction for $4,614.
The Council approved continuing existing levy rates as they were presented, with no changes.
The Council approved the eighth money draw for the water plant project. Gagnon said the project is moving forward, on schedule.[/private]
The Council next meets on May 5 at 7 p.m. Whether the meeting is in person at the Town office, or by telephone, is unknown, but the public is invited to attend either way. Please contact the Town office with questions at 304-530-6143.