Berkeley Springs briefs

September 19, 2007|By TRISH RUDDER

Parking fines could be on the rise

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - Higher fines for parking violations were proposed Tuesday night at the Town of Bath Council meeting, and the ordinance's first reading was unanimously approved by council members.

The new fine for an expired meter violation will be $8, an increase of $3.

The fine must be paid within 30 days or the fine is increased to $30.

The ordinance lists 16 parking violations, from an expired meter - the lowest fine - to parking in a handicapped zone, which is the highest fine of $100, and increases to $150 if it's not paid within 30 days.

After 90 days of nonpayment, the vehicle will be booted.

"Payment of all fines and a charge of $50 booting fee will be required within 24 hours of boot placement," the ordinance states. After 24 hours the vehicle will be towed and impounded at the owner's expense.

A public hearing and the second reading will occur at the Oct. 2 Bath Council meeting.

Town considers 10 percent trash hike

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va.- A new garbage truck is needed for the Town of Bath, and Councilman David Crosby, who chairs the Finance committee, suggested the town council get started on it, and the process to begin was approved by the council members at Tuesday night's meeting.

Crosby said the town garbage rates have not been raised in three years and in order to pay truck payments, increased landfill fees and higher gas prices, he suggested "we raise the fees about 10 percent."

Crosby said the public needs to be notified and public hearings will be held, and "we need to be ready to go" for Jan. 1.

"If we want to keep the business in town, there is no other way," said Councilman Kenny Easton, who chairs the town's Public Works committee.

Bath Police officer expects to be deployed

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - Town of Bath Police Department Cpl. Craig Pearrell told Bath Town Council members Tuesday night that he might be deployed overseas sometime next year.

Pearrell, 36, is a member of the 167th Airlift Wing, stationed in Martinsburg, W.Va.

He said he wanted to let the council members know as soon as possible so that plans could be made for Butch, the K-9 that Pearrell has been working with since the dog was acquired in March.

Bath Police Chief James Minton said since the department has only three full-time police officers, including himself, it will be a real hardship on the town.

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

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