The main discussion during the Moorefield Town Council meeting on Tuesday, May 19 was COVID-19, and County Health Administrator Bill Ours was there to advise and discuss what he knew and what to expect.
Ours told the Council that there are several people in Town limits with COVID-19. Many had what he compared to allergy symptoms: “a runny nose, sore throat, a headache…or nothing at all,” he said.
“I think it’s a good idea to have Town employees tested,” Ours advised, adding that E.A. Hawse is about to start community testing.
He went on to explain that, because West Virginia was one of the last states to “get” COVID-19, “It will hit here, later.”
He said he expected more cases, but increasing numbers are also due to increased testing.
“I’m scared to death to open things up,” he said, then observed that businesses can’t stay closed forever.
“Even at the Health Department,” Ours said, “I’ve got to get some income.”
The Health Department opened for clinic appointments for the first time in two months the same day as the Council meeting. “We’re managing with the same procedures as doctors’ offices,” Ours said,
Ours praised the Town for closing the Town Park, calling it “a good public health move.”
Council member Terry Hardy asked about sunlight’s ultra-violet rays, and whether they’re efficient at killing the virus at places like the Town Park.
Ours expressed uncertainty, saying that different data, and different report say different things. He said the virus spreads in droplets.
The Park has a lot of surfaces that aren’t easy to clean, and locations such as the bathrooms and the rocket slide that are not exposed to the sun.
Ours advised those surfaces, especially the bathrooms, should be cleaned at least every two hours when the Park opens.
Council members asked about Little League, currently starting on June 8, based on guidance already put out by the state.
“Little League is starting back before Major League Baseball; that concerns me,” Ours said. “My grandsons won’t be playing. I know how many asymptomatic people I think are out there.
“We’re going to battle this all summer, and we’ll see it again in the Fall (when flu season starts).”
“You’ve done a great job. Hardy County has a done a great job. It’s just hitting us, now.”
The Council followed Ours’ comments with discussion on returning Town employees to a full-time work schedule, and whether or not to open the Pool.[private]
Yes, and No
“We have to go back to work,” said council member Carol Zuber. “I see four (employees) in a Mule. That’s not separating them. I see two or three on the road in a truck. That’s not separating them.”
Zuber was referring to comments about current operations, in which Town street, water, sewage and Park crews are divided into teams with the idea that if one team becomes infected and quarantined with COVID-19, the other team will still be safe and able to work.
While the intent also was to ensure employees were better able to maintain social distancing by having fewer workers at a time, in practice, that part hasn’t worked.
Council members Scott Fawley and Terry Hardy agreed with Zuber.
“We can’t be afraid forever,” Zuber said. “We can protect ourselves.”
“Biggest problem is at the shop, just need to keep them separated,” said council member Roger Pratt. “It’s a tough call.”
“What if an entire team gets it?” council member Mary Jo Johnston asked.
By putting all employees back to work full-time, it’s more likely that complete crews, rather than roughly half of them, would be exposed to the virus if any single employee contracts it.
Fawley asked if the Town has protective gear such as masks and gloves for employees. Both Clerk Rick Freeman and Public Works Director Lucas Gagnon said “no.”
Discussion resulted in a few suggestions, such as staggering start and end times for the work day and providing hand sanitizer.
“It seems like everyone was open, and considered essential,” Fawley said, about businesses in Moorefield. “Most people are working.”
In the final vote to completely re-open the town offices and put all employees back to work full-time, the vote was 4-1, with Johnston opposing.
Then the Council discussed opening the Pool.
“I think it’s pretty obvious what we need to do,” said Mayor Gary Stalnaker. “Just close it.”
Initially the Council seemed poised to wait on a decision until after Governor Jim Justice addressed it in a press conference.
Hardy asked for Park Manager Juwana Bridger and the Council’s thoughts on opening the tennis courts, as tennis is not a sport that encourages close contact between players.
The Council talked about Justice’s decision to start Little League on June 8, but that he’d left the decision to open municipal facilities, like parks, up to each municipality.
Fawley said that Brighton Park, operated by Hardy County, had never closed.
“Before we open the park,” Gagnon said, “We need a good sanitation plan.”
Discussion redirected back to Bridger, who had mixed views on opening the Pool.
The public pool loses money every summer, but some of that is mitigated with money the public spends for admission and food. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, such as the number of people allowed in the pool at any time, those income sources would not exist.
Bridger explained the town would have to not only pay lifeguards and buy chemicals, but also pay other personnel to clean bathrooms and pool-related surfaces, and monitor the numbers of people both inside and waiting.
The Council unanimously decided to close the pool for the summer.
“If we’re gonna put people back to work, then, just focus on projects,” Stalnaker said, noting that the pool often prevents park crews from working on other areas of the park during the summer.
“If we decide to open the park,” Bridger said, “Open the whole thing, and not in sections.”
Gagnon added a proposal that if Little League starts, they be required to sanitize their sections.
The Council did not make a decision on the Park, as it was not on the agenda.
Other Business
• The Council approved a purchase agreement with Pendleton Community Bank. The agreement involves paying Fortiline for the new water meters; part will be paid back with a USDA grant.
• The Council approved USDA money draw #9 for the Water Plant Project. The total amount of the draw is $722,094.95. Triton Construction, the contractor doing the work, receives the bulk at $692.440.95; Gwin Dobson & Foreman, the engineering firm with supervisory oversight, receives the rest.
• The Council also approved a lease agreement with the Hardy County Convention and Visitors Bureau regarding the Higgins House. [/private]
• The next meeting is June 2 at 7 p.m. A location or whether the meeting will be conducted via phone will be determined closer to the meeting. Please contact the Town Office at 304-530-6142 with questions. The public is welcome to attend.