The Bath Board of Supervisors Declares A Local Emergency And Bans Outdoor Burning For 60 Days

Warm Springs, VA – The Bath Board of Supervisors has declared a local emergency and enacted a burn ban in the county. At Tuesday night’s Bath Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board heard from Emergency Services Coordinator Andy Seabolt about the lack of rain, low humidity and wind conditions which are creating a dangerous situation for potential wildfires.

The Board passed an emergency ordinance to ban open outdoor burning in Bath for 60 days, with the option that the County Administrator can declare the ordinance void if weather conditions improve. Violation of the burning ban is a Class 1 misdemeanor and conviction can bring large fines and jail time.

Supervisor Claire Collins announced a new prescription discount card program that will be available to Bath residents. This program is offered through the National Association of Counties and it will offer, on average, approximately 24% off prescription costs. There is no cost for this program to the county or to residents.

She explained that it is not an insurance program and there’s no cost, no forms to fill out and no age or income requirements in order to participate. This program can be used by senior citizens and anyone who is uninsured or underinsured and it can even be used by pet owners for pet prescriptions. The discount card will be accepted by local pharmacies and by several state wide pharmacy chains.

Emergency Services Coordinator and Building Code Official Andy Seabolt gave the Board an update on the work being done to address blighted structures in the county. Property owners have been notified and Seabolt has had responses from some of them with plans to address the problems with their properties. The Board voted to take the next step in the process for addressing blighted structures by declaring the remaining properties a public nuisance.

The Board also approved giving Seabolt authority to work within parameters and ordinances on any building permit issues related to the blighted structures. Seabolt will also decide, on a case by case basis, time limits on renovation work after a building permit is issued, to be sure work is being completed.

For more from the April Bath Board of Supervisors meeting, tune in to Noon Hour on Friday.