Bath Board of Supervisors Discusses Old Landfill And New Animal Shelter

Warm Springs, Va – The Bath Board of Supervisors is working to close off an old landfill and open up a new animal shelter.

At the first meeting of the New Year, with a new board, there was a presentation by Sandy Warner of CHA/Olver and Associates. She outlined the Department of Environmental Quality’s monitoring of the groundwater at the closed landfill in the county. The landfill closed in 1995 and Bath County has asked the DEQ to be released from closure care requirements. Last fall, the DEQ removed the requirement on some groundwater monitoring, but it is still requesting additional monitoring data. As a result, additional monitoring wells will need to be installed and a survey of the property will need to be done. Warner said the closed landfill will probably be under monitoring by the DEQ for three more years. The board approved the signing of a contract for services with CHA/Olver and Associates to begin work to ensure the closed landfill meets DEQ requirements. The board also authorized County Administrator Matt Walker to solicit quotes for a survey of the property.

The Bath County Animal Shelter is scheduled to be replaced this year, in order to meet state requirements. The Board authorized execution of a professional services agreement with Balzer and Associates for the design of the new shelter. $480,000 has been budgeted by the county for the shelter replacement.

The board also began the process of addressing blighted property in the county, by voting to send certified letters to property owners.

The board voted to hold a public hearing at next month’s meeting on the disposition of a piece of county owned property. It’s .38 acres located in the Warm Springs District near Star Bolar United Methodist Church. The property is assessed at $1,000.

And the Board approved the regular meeting calendar for 2012. It’s different in that one monthly meeting will be held in each of the five districts of the county this year. The February meeting will be held at the Valley Elementary School cafeteria.

And on Tuesday night the board appointed Supervisor Claire Collins to the Regional Library Board, The Shenandoah Valley Partnership Board of Directors and the Pinehurst Heights Community Block Grant Development Project.

And Jamie Lowry was appointed to the Industrial Development Authority and Supervisor Bart Perdue was appointed to the Bath County Service Authority.

Supervisor Bruce McWilliams was appointed to the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission and Supervisor Cliff Gilchrest was appointed to the Bath County Department of Social Services Board.

And the board will forward to the Circuit Court its recommendation of Scott Miller to serve on the Board of Zoning Appeals.