Bath Supervisors address truck trouble on Route 606

Hot Springs, Va. – At its monthly meeting on Tuesday night, the Board passed a resolution restricting through truck traffic on Route 606. Route 606 crosses Warm Springs Mountain and trucks and buses have gotten hung up on the curves.

Drivers who use GPS are directed to take Route 606 as the shortest route to Clifton Forge in Alleghany County. Currently there are signs on both the Alleghany and Bath County sides advising drivers that the route is not GPS recommended and that it has vehicle length restrictions. In order for the Virginia Department of Transportation to post an enforceable through truck restriction, both counties need to pass the resolutions restricting through truck traffic.

The Board also approved a rezoning request on Tuesday night. The application was to rezone property at 5295 Sam Snead Highway from residential to convenience business with proffers. The property is formerly known as Nelson’s Service station. The rezoning approval is only for an antiques and gift shop, office space or residential rental property. The property had been on the county’s dilapidated structure list, but the owners James and Lori Skeens have renovated it with plans to open the gift shop. During the public hearing on the rezoning, three people spoke in favor of the rezoning request.

County Treasurer Pam Webb reported that the Treasurer’s Office can now accept credit cards for payment of county taxes. The credit card system has just been installed and there is a processing fee of 2.25%.

The Board addressed a personnel matter in closed session. The Board approved changing the position description for the Executive Assistant to the County Administrator to include serving as deputy clerk for the Board of Supervisors. For the additional duties the Board approved a $6,000 increase in compensation annually.

Also on Tuesday night the Board approved the recruitment methodology for a full time County Administrator. The Board also approved having Interim County Administrator Bill O’Brien handle that process.

During Board comments, Supervisor Bart Perdue said he has had interest from citizens in creating a fishing area for senior citizens and those with disabilities in the Poor Farm or Hidden Valley area. He asked those that might be interested in helping with this to contact him.

And the Board approved the holiday schedule for county offices. For Thanksgiving, offices will close at noon on Wednesday November 21 and will be closed Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving. County Offices will also be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day.