Part 2 of Bath’s Board March meeting

This is part two of a pair of reports on Bath Board of Supervisors’ March meeting.

Following a presentation by Phil Deemer of Preservation Bath, the board agreed the organization should pursue a grant for some survey funds related to a possible future historic district. Despite an initial motion from Warm Springs District’s, Matt Ratcliffe to poll all Warm Springs District residents to learn how they felt about a historic district, the board reevaluated. After Mike Wildasin, also of Preservation Bath, clarified that community meetings are a requirement of such a grant if they were even awarded it, supervisors accepted the organization’s effort to have the application completed and turned in by April 8^th.

After the unanimous adoption by the board of the Economic Development Authority’s strategic plan, there was strain surrounding several board members’ desire to appoint additional members to that committee.   Pending counsel, if state code allows two new members to be appointed, they will be, and if not, they won’t.

John Loeffler, a current member of the committee commented regarding this issue.

“You don’t pull your starters, your veterans in the fourth quarter of the championship game. You let them bring home the Championship. I think that is what this board is trying to do from the bottom of my heart, and I really believe we need to give them the opportunity to do that, and that if we do, we will all be rewarded.”

Finally, although Board Chair, Claire Collins did mention there is a comment period open regarding the Atlantic Coast Pipeline on Forest Service land, the supervisors said very little on the subject. Harold King of Burnsville has been following the issue closely in surrounding counties. He encouraged all residents to pay close attention to developments.

“We need time to react in a thoughtful, rational, calm manner. Maybe I’m an alarmist and overreacting, but I may not be. Let’s find out.”