Impact Fees

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. -- Jefferson County's IT specialist has sued Commissioner Patricia A. "Patsy" Noland, claiming she said disparaging things about his professional abilities and implying he was incompetent earlier this month on a Yahoo! Groups forum Web site. A complaint filed Thursday by attorney Harry P. Waddell on behalf of George Privitera, the county's IT specialist, claims Noland acted with "malice, reckless disregard for the truth and/or negligence in publishing ... false defamatory statements" on "OJ -- An Open Forum for Jefferson County, WV" on March 11. Noland said Friday she had not talked with an attorney since being notified of the libel complaint filed against her and declined to discuss what was alleged.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. -- In 2006, Washington Township was leading the growth boom in Franklin County, Pa., with construction of 142 living units started during the 12-month period. In 2008, that number was cut nearly in half, with 74 units started in what the township manager identified as a year reminiscent of those before the housing bubble. Although the township budget has been based on average years, rather than extraordinary ones like 2006, the revenue funds that carry over every year are diminishing.

CHARLES TOWN, W.VA. -- It's been four years since Jefferson County implemented the first impact fee ordinance in West Virginia. The Jefferson County Commission learned Thursday morning that it has paid off. F. Mark Schiavone, director of the county's impact fee program, told the five board members the county is $12.5 million richer than it was before the fees took effect. The first one, paid by a developer in January 2004, bought a new cruiser for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, Schiavone said.

RANSON, W.Va. - Ranson City Council members Tuesday night decided to stop funding about six local agencies over a recent circuit court ruling on Jefferson County's impact fees. Impact fees are fees collected from developers to help pay for services demanded by growth and the Jefferson County Commission passed impact fees to help fund schools, parks and recreation, fire and emergency services and law enforcement. But Ranson city officials do not believe the fees apply to cities and they initially withheld some school money collected in the city.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. -- Two Jefferson County Commission candidates who have deep concerns about the direction of Jefferson County government will square off in the Nov. 4 general election. Democrat Patricia A. "Patsy" Noland and Republican Frank Kubic are competing for the Kabletown district seat on the commission. Commissioner Rusty Morgan currently holds the position but is not running for re-election. The seat pays $30,800 a year, has a six-year term and all county voters can cast ballots in the race.

SHENANDOAH JUNCTION, W.Va. - When Jefferson County Commission candidate Paul Ashbaugh was asked Tuesday night to comment on protecting the county's rural landscape and how he would address light pollution at night, he got suspicious. "I don't know who came up with that idea," Ashbaugh said, referring to the notion that there was a problem with too much lighting in the county. "Must have been a no-growther," Ashbaugh said as he also took a parting shot at the Jefferson County Commission's recent decision to pass a law controlling excessive dog barking in the county.

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - New subdivision regulations were not approved Tuesday night by the Morgan County Commission. The regulations will be discussed and could be voted on at the Oct. 17 commission meeting, Commission President Glen R. Stotler said. About 25 people attended the public hearing and voiced their opinions about the draft subdivision regulations that were approved by the county planning commission. Most sections were accepted at the hearing, some needed further review and some alternative language was suggested for better clarification.

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - New subdivision regulations were not approved Tuesday night by the Morgan County Commission. The regulations will be discussed and could be voted on at the Oct. 17 commission meeting, Commission President Glen R. Stotler said. About 25 people attended the public hearing and voiced their opinions about the draft subdivision regulations that were approved by the county planning commission. Most sections were accepted at the hearing, some needed further review and some alternative language was suggested for better clarification.

RANSON, W.Va. - The City of Ranson is not giving up in its fight over Jefferson County's impact fees. The Jefferson County Commission passed impact fees to raise money for new schools. When a developer applies for a building permit in the county, the builder pays a certain impact fee based on what type of project it is. School impact fees went into effect Jan. 26, 2004, but some of the money initially collected in Ranson was not forwarded to the county, officials said.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. -- A judge has ruled that Jefferson County government can collect impact fees in the city of Ranson, ending a long legal battle, officials said Thursday. Impact fees are collected from developers by the county to help fund schools, parks and recreation, fire and emergency services, and law enforcement. When a developer applies for a building permit, the builder pays a certain amount for those categories. School impact fees went into effect Jan. 26, 2004, but some of the money initially collected in Ranson was not forwarded to the county, officials said.