The Warm Springs Mountain Communications Tower May Be Back Up By Mid April

Warm Springs, VA – The Warm Springs Mountain communications tower may be back up by mid April. At Tuesday night’s Bath Board of Supervisors meeting, County Administrator Bonnie Johnson reported on actions taken since the tower fell on February 13. The tower carried Bath’s emergency services radio transmissions and WCHG radio’s broadcast signal.

The board declared a local emergency regarding public safety communications on February 28 and on Tuesday night the board ratified that emergency proclamation and emergency procurement to replace the tower. The tower collapse impacted emergency services in Bath County and knocked WCHG off the air for about a week. WCHG is now back on the air at about 75% capacity.

Also on Tuesday night School Superintendent Sue Hirsh reported on the development of the school budget. She said with news from the General Assembly it looks like the budget amount will increase from the state. Supervisor Jon Trees asked about two items that are on the schools Capital Improvement Plan – high school locker room repair and a new activity bus.

Supervisor Trees asked for prices on repairing just the ceiling, lights and plumbing in the locker room, instead of the entire renovation that was requested. He also asked if a new activity bus would be used as a regular route bus. And he requested a quote for that bus without the option of air conditioning.

Hirsh said it was her understanding that a new activity bus will be used on a regular route and quotes for the locker room repairs are being collected. The School Board will present its budget to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday March 22.

County Administrator Bonnie Johnson reported on redistricting that needs to be completed based on recent Census data. The Cedar Creek and Warm Springs districts need to be revised in order to meet regulations. The Board set two public hearings, one on Tuesday April 12 and one on Monday April 18 in order to get input on mapping alternatives that might be available.

The board appointed Frank Johnson to the Board of Zoning Appeals, and Carl Cleek was appointed to the Warm Springs Sanitation Commission.