Hillsboro Council Appoints Hyer As Town Recorder

Hillsboro, WV – Hillsboro Town Council appointed Gail Hyer as its new recorder during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday. Hyer will fill the position vacated by Anne Walker, whom council named mayor in the wake of Mayor Richard Workman’s resignation.

Walker contacted Hyer personally, after the town received no response to advertisements in The Pocahontas Times for the position. Hyer was unable to attend Tuesday’s meeting, but Walker says Hyer is interested in serving through June 2011, when a newly elected recorder would take office. Council voted unanimously to appoint Hyer to the post. She will be sworn into office during council’s May meeting.

Like many small towns, Hillsboro maintains a budget that doesn’t allow much leeway beyond providing basic town services. With increased auditing requirements from the state, several small towns in West Virginia have been lobbying for a waiver of audit fees, which can amount to several thousand dollars each year. During Tuesday’s meeting, Walker read from a letter to State Senators Walt Helmick and Clark Barnes in support of legislation being proposed by the West Virginia Municipal League.

“It has recently been brought to our attention that the West Virginia Municipal League is planning to introduce legislation that would waive the fees for state-required audits of Class IV towns ” reads Walker. “The town of Hillsboro has just recently completed the audits required for fiscal year 2008 and 2009, at the cost of $4,000. With limited financial resource available to Hillsboro, these CPA fees use much needed monies that could be used to better our small town.”

Council members agreed to sign the letter with the mayor.

In other matters, Walker said she has filed suit in Magistrate Court against 32 delinquent water and sewer accounts. The accounts total approximately $10,000, says Walker.

Council tabled an application of up to $100,000.00 to the Safe Routes to School Program to repair town sidewalks until more information becomes available.
Another grant application got the go-ahead from council, however. The town voted unanimously to apply for Energy Efficiency Block Grants being made available through the state for town halls and other government facilities. Council plans to apply for new windows and doors, a new heat pump and added insulation for the town office.

A work day is also being planned to spruce up the town office. On May 22, with the help of the local Odd Fellows and other volunteers, council plans to spread gravel in the parking area, add skirting to the office, paint the roof and clean the gutters.

Hillsboro Town Council’s next regular meeting is 7:30 p.m. May 11, in the Hillsboro Library conference room.