Food Issues Discussed By Bath Supervisors

Warm Springs, VA – At their meeting on Tuesday night, The Bath Board of Supervisors considered a couple of issues regarding food in the county. The board looked again at a draft ordinance for a county exemption to some state regulations on food at county festivals and athletic activities. Supervisor Richard Byrd explained that the current law requires a non profit organization serving food out in the community to get a health permit.

With a permit, the food booth would be inspected. Under the proposed ordinance, the county has the authority to exempt non profits from being inspected. But non profits would still be required to notify the health department about what they are serving.

Byrd said the only difference between the current requirements and the proposed change is the inspection. This proposed ordinance applies only to non-profit organizations who are not required to get a permit if they are preparing and serving food on their premises. A public hearing on this proposed ordinance will be held at next month’s meeting.

Supervisor Byrd also gave an update on the meals tax. Last November Bath County voters passed a 4% meals tax. Byrd explained that the board was asked by area businesses to implement the tax at a lower rate and raise it on an incremental basis. The board then set the rate at 1%.

There was a question as to whether that was appropriate action and the county asked for an opinion on it from the State Attorney General. Byrd said a recent letter from the attorney general’s office indicated it will expedite the county’s request and will hopefully provide an answer soon.

Also on Tuesday night, Animal Control Officer Robbie Chestnut reported on a complaint about aggressive dogs in Millboro. He said he spoke with a Millboro resident who feels threatened by some dogs that are in a fenced yard. Chestnut explained he couldn’t do anything about it, because according to the state’s dangerous dog code, a dog has to bite someone before any action can be taken.

The resident has provided a petition with 85 names on it, with 10 of them from outside of Millboro. Supervisor Carol Hardbarger said people are afraid to walk by these dogs even though they are in a fenced yard. Hardbarger said some action should be taken to protect both people and dog owners. Supervisor Byrd plans to appoint a committee to look at the issue.

The board appointed Percy Nowlin to another term on the Rockbridge Regional Community Services Board. They also approved William Manion, Mary Ann Bogan, Michael O’Ferrill and alternate Karen Wallace for consideration for appointment to the Board of Equalization

Story By

Heather Niday

Heather is our Program Director and Traffic Manager. She started with Allegheny Mountain Radio as a volunteer deejay. She then joined the AMR staff in February of 2007. Heather grew up in the Richmond, Virginia, area and now lives in Arbovale, West Virginia with her husband Chuck. Heather is a wonderful flute player, and choir director for Arbovale UMC. You can hear Heather along with Chuck on Tuesday nights from 6 to 8pm as they host two hours of jazz on Something Different.

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