Bath Board of Supervisors Considers Outdoor Lighting Ordinance

Hot Springs, VA – The Bath Board of Supervisors is moving ahead in it’s consideration of an outdoor lighting ordinance. At Tuesday night’s monthly meeting, the Board set a public hearing on the proposed outdoor lighting ordinance for its March 13th meeting. The Planning Commission voted to recommend this ordinance to the Board of Supervisors.

The proposed ordinance establishes standards for business and industrial zoning districts. The standards will reduce the impacts of glare and over lighting, while encouraging energy conservation and safety.

The Board also heard from Bath County Emergency Services Coordinator Andy Seabolt about a Medevac helicopter plan that has been developed. The plan outlines the roles of Bath emergency responders and medevac units that may transport patients. As part of the plan, forty five predetermined landing zones have been established in Bath.

The Board tabled action on the plan until next month’s meeting. Supervisor Kevin Fry, who is the Director of Emergency Services, said he wanted to look a little more at any potential liability and also look more at the landing zones.

Also on Tuesday night, the Board approved a request from the School Board to appropriate about $51,000 back to the school system, to be used to meet fuel costs for the remainder of the year. The school system received the money unexpectedly from stimulus funds, but had to request the money back from the county.

The Board also discussed some confusion about the changes on public comment guidelines at meetings. Supervisor Bart Perdue said he had received calls about the guidelines, saying people don’t want to have to come to the podium to speak. Board Chair Cliff Gilchrest also explained that there was a misunderstanding and some were concerned that all public comments had to be submitted in writing.

He explained that submitting written comments was not required. It can be done when an individual can’t attend a meeting or if he or she wants the comments included in board materials. Supervisor Claire Collins stressed that there was no intent on the part of the board not to take public comments.

And the Board made the following appointments Tuesday night: Ramona Garcia to the Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Board, Pam Webb to the Pinehurst Community Development Rehab Board and Sharrie Woodzell was appointed to fill the county employee slot on the Health Insurance Review Committee. Andy Seabolt was appointed as Emergency Services Coordinator and County Administrator Matt Walker was appointed as the Public Information Officer for Emergency Services.