Berkeley Springs briefs

December 05, 2006|by TRISH RUDDER

New Bath police chief selected

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - James L. Minton, a deputy U.S. Marshal supervisor from Washington, D.C., was unanimously approved Monday night as the new chief of police by the Bath Town Council and was sworn in by Mayor Susan Webster.

Webster said Minton will begin as chief of police Jan. 1. The yearly salary is $31,033.60, she said.

Minton will take over for Tony Lynch, who resigned in October to accept a position with the U.S. Coast Guard, she said.

Lynch, the acting police chief, said he will assist Minton in the transition.

Minton, 46, who resides in Stafford, Va., said he is from Beckley, W.Va., and began his career as a police cadet there. He said he and his family are familiar with Berkeley Springs.

"I really enjoy the small town and want to come home," he said.

"Tony has done a good job here, and I hope to continue to move forward," Minton said.

Bath Police Officer Craig Pearrell, the other candidate being considered for the job, recently removed his name from consideration, Councilman David Crosby said.

A one-way Mercer street is approved

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - The Bath Town Council approved an ordinance Monday night making Mercer Street one way going south from Fairfax Street to Martinsburg Road (W.Va. 9).

The ordinance "will not go into effect until appropriate signage is in place," Mayor Susan Webster said.

Before the council voted on the ordinance, Councilman David Crosby said Citizens National Bank (CNB) "is protesting the one-way street" idea and a letter to the town is forthcoming.

CNB has a bank entrance on Mercer Street and on Washington Street.

Councilman Kenny Easton said he wanted to move forward with the one-way street. "The street is not safe," he said.

Easton and Councilwoman Nancy Harvey, who chairs the ordinance committee, voted for the one-way street. Councilman Dale Lutman voted against it.

Crosby abstained from voting because he is a significant stockholder at CNB, he said.

Councilman Tom Hall and Town Recorder Garnet Marsh were absent from the meeting.

Free meter parking until Christmas

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - The Bath Town Council unanimously approved free meter parking in town from Dec. 18 to 25.

"This is a gift from the town," Mayor Susan Webster said.

Paid meter parking resumes Tuesday, Dec. 26, she said.

The Town of Bath is the local government within Berkeley Springs.

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