October Bath BOS meeting report

The Bath Board of Supervisors met last Tuesday evening for their regular monthly appointment.  Vice Chair Bart Purdue, Warm Springs district chaired the meeting in Richard Bird’s absence.  The agenda indicated the meeting might move fairly quickly, and it did.  During public comment, Rockbridge Regional Library Director, Julie Goyette reminded those present about a presentation at the Bath Branch on October 23rd about the Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918.  Everyone is welcome and it begins at 6:00.

Sheriff Robert Plecker introduced three new county deputies who were hired so more officer time could be available to the schools.   Cody Smith, Laura Roberts, and Chase Altizer, who wasn’t present at the meeting, are these new deputies.  Millboro Supervisor Eddie Hicklin recognized Kari Sponaugle for her outstanding work with the Bath County Fair Committee, and success with the fair in its 5th year.  

Warm Springs and James River District Ranger, Elizabeth McNichols gave her quarterly report.

She reviewed the ongoing Lower Cowpasture Restoration Project which will be fully funded for 2018, and described two future projects: the first, restoration in Hidden Valley, and  secondly a combination of treatments for areas of Duncan Knob impacted by gypsy moth defoliation.  

Ranger McNichols also mentioned two changes in recreational areas during the 2018 season.  One is the McClintic Point campground need to be closed due to well-failure, and secondly the Poor Farm Camping area is closed due to rehabilitation in the Pines, but day use and and dispersed camping is still available.  

The most Board discussion taking place Tuesday evening was around increasing the parks and recreation administrative assistant from part time to full time.  Some of the reasons for assigning more hours to this employee are: the need for recruitment and sign-up of participants in all seasons’ sports, and  the fact that because often the whole current staff is required for facilities maintenance or coaching time, the office can’t be attended full-time during business hours.  All four board members present voted in favor of making the part time position into a full-time one.  They also agreed to appoint Mark Hall as the Cedar Creek representative to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, and Clifford Williams to the Bath County Building code board.  Ashton Harrison, County administrator will serve as the alternate representative to the Virginia Association of Counties as needed.   N the second round of public hearing, County Planning and Zoning Administrator, Sherry Ryder reminded the board, the Architectural report for the future Visitors Center in Mitchelltown will be part of the November meeting.

The Bath County Board of Supervisors meets the second Tuesday of every month in the Courthouse in Warm Springs.  The public is always encouraged to attend.