New Bath Board of Supervisors Holds Its First Monthly Meeting And Doesn’t Get Far Before Hitting An Impasse

Warm Springs, Va – The new Bath Board of Supervisors held its first monthly meeting on Tuesday night and didn’t get far before hitting an impasse. Board members Cliff Gilchrest, Claire Collins, Bruce McWillams, Kevin Fry and Bart Perdue couldn’t agree on the election of vice chairman.

In the first order of business, Cliff Gilchrest was elected chairman. Then Bart Perdue nominated Claire Collins as vice chair, but there was no second to his motion. Kevin Fry then nominated Bruce McWilliams, but there was no second to that motion either. Claire Collins nominated Kevin Fry and there was a second to her motion. But before the vote there was discussion. Supervisor Fry was asked if he’s comfortable serving as vice chair since he has a full time job. Supervisor Fry said he felt the chair and vice chair should be readily available and since he works out of town, he would rather not serve.

After discussion with County Attorney Mike Collins, the board voted to table the election of vice chair until later in the meeting, but never went back to it.

Then the board moved on to approving Roberts Rules of Order. The Bath Board of Supervisors has been using Roberts Rules with the exception that only one member is required to make a motion, without the need for a second. The board approved continuing that on a vote of 3 to 2. Supervisors Claire Collins and Bart Perdue were opposed. Supervisor Collins explained she felt the Bath board should use a second to a motion, which is standard rule of practice in the use of Roberts Rules. Supervisor Gilchrest said he was not opposed to that and would like to revisit it at some point.

In other business, the board heard an update on the replacement of the Sheriff Department’s HVAC system. The county received a grant for the energy conservation study and Spectrum Design of Roanoke did the plan layout and bid specifications. The boiler will be replaced with a variable refrigerant flow heat pump which is estimated to save about $350 to $400 a month. The low bid received for the project is $67,500 from Hamden Services LLC in Blacksburg, Virginia. With grant money and budgeted funds the county has $42,000 for the project. The Board authorized County Administrator Matt Walker to search for additional grant money for the project and authorized Spectrum Design to negotiate a professional services agreement and a lower price with Hamden Services.

Also on Tuesday night, the Board appointed Supervisor Kevin Fry as the Bath County Emergency Director.

The Board also voted to close Bath County offices on Monday January 16 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

And the board continued its meeting to Friday January 13th at 9am in Room 115 of the Courthouse. A closed session is planned along with a work session with Constitutional Officers.