CIVILITY

Dear Town Folk,

For years I have appealed for civility and discretion in written and

spoken discourse concerning town issues. Never has the need for temperate

discussion been required more than now. Recent communications, written

and on the internet, have provided an urgency to my appeal. While individu-

als have the right to speak their minds, please do not join the brigade of

confrontation. Remember a soft voice turns away wrath!

All of us have a huge stake in prospering the neighborliness that

seems to be lacking in our community. We were taught “ to love one

another even as Christ loved us.” Let us do so.

While words are cheap, actions do provide the test of intent. As we

enter the election season, temper your positions as you speak to the issues on

public utilities, policing, the financial future of the Town and the day to day

operations vital to Harpers Ferry and Bolivar.

In the words of Abraham Lincoln uttered in his first inaugural, “ We

are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies.” In the spirit of that

statement I ask of you and myself that when we disagree let us do so

agreeably. We all know one another. Pray that civility shall prevail.

Sincerely,

James Addy

Mayor

May 2011 Volume 8 Issue 5

Meet & Greet

Calendar of Events 2 2

Visioning steering committee

Library Vacancy 2 2

Music on the Ridge

Police Report 2 3

Delinquent Water Bills

Community Garden 3 3

In Memoriam

4

Harpers Ferry Historic Town

Foundation News 4

Town Council Meeting

H.F. Candidates Forum 5 6

Inside this issue:

Visioning Steering Committee

If you wish to volunteer for the Visioning Steering

Committee, Please submit a letter providing your

skills and qualifications, simply tell why you think

you are qualified to be one of the steering committee

volunteers. Submit to Davidbeniamino@gmail.com

or drop off to Town Hall deadline is May 27,2011

Calendar of Events All meetings in Town Hall are held in meet-

ing room, unless noted.

May 18– Canal Town 5PM

May 25-H.F. Foundation 5:30PM

May 26-Tree Committee 7PM

May 30-Landmarks 7PM

June 1– Court 7PM

June 7-Planning 7PM

June 13– Council 7PM

June 14– Elections 6AM

Music on the Ridge

Location: Columbia Paper Street over looking the

Potomac River

When: Saturday 6/11/12 4PM-8PM

Schedule: 4PM artists and merchant displays

6PM music begins

This years venue is expanded to include local mer-

chants and artists to show and sell their wares. This

music variety and type will include a professional

jazz ensamble as well as local musicians.

for question/information or if you would like to participate call 240 723 5554

Meet & Greet

By:Tess Bishop

We are fortunate to have Caitlyn DeLashmutt (French and German Heritage) as a town employee. Caitlyn was recommended for the town secretarial position in Septem-ber, 2010 and has since been promoted to town clerk. Caitlyn is a 2010 graduate of Brunswick high school where she was accepted into the elite Career and Technology Center in Frederick, MD. Caitlyn has taken over "broad and challenging responsibili-ties in an exceptional way" states her supervisor Shauna Johnstone. Her responsibilities

for the town include assisting with accounts payable, water and sewer management, and she is the smiling face of the town. She has actually been nick named "smiley" by some which exemplifies her excellent customer ser-vice skills. Caitlyn is the youngest of three and enjoys country music, shopping, and vacationing at the beach. Caitlyn has exceeded our expectations in every way for the town of Harpers Ferry.

Library Vacancies

There are 2 vacancies on the Bolivar/HarpersFerry Library

Board. If you are interested please send a letter for

consideration to Mayor Jim Addy before June 1, 2011

Harpers Ferry Police Dept.

April 2011 Monthly Report

CITATIONS: 145 No evidence of registration 39 One way violation 2

Expired/ No MVI 15 Improper/ defective equipment 8

Speeding 60 Possession 2

No Insurance 11

No Operators 1

Driving suspended 4

Seatbelt 1

Flr. Obtain WV operators 1

No passing zone 1

Bolivar citations: 71 Harpers Ferry citations: 74

Complaints: 39 Driving susp. 3 Trespassing 1 Possession 2 Harassment 1

Disturbance 5 Malicious wounding 1 Welfare check 2

Petit larceny 2 Stolen property 1 MVA 2 Burglary 1

Shoplifting 1 Suspicious person. 1 B & B 1

Alarm 4 Disable vehicle 1 Animal 1

MVV 2 Property damage 1

Bolivar complaints: 24 Harpers Ferry complaints: 39

Assisted with other departments: 4

Mike 60 J.D. 15 Jeremy 28 Matt 22

In our May 9 council meeting the idea of using the town owned property be-

hind town hall for a "community garden" was discussed. please contact town

hall 304 535 2206 or harpersferry3@yahoo.com with comments, ideas, or

suggestions.

Changes are being made to the Water Co. billing process to comply with PSC regula-

tions. Water bills will be sent out each month on the 1st unless it falls

on a weekend or holiday. Penalties will be assessed on the 22nd day of

each month unless it falls on a weekend or holiday. The next bill

received won’t be until July 1st.

Delinquent Water Bills

Notices for excessive delinquent water and public service district bills have

been mailed to the concerned parties. The Town will require payments or arrangements for

payments by May 24, 2011 or service will be terminated.

Water and Public Service District customers need to know that delinquent customers will

pay outstanding bills or face legal consequences. People who pay their bills should not

subsidize those who stiff the town.

In Memoraim

Two long time residents of Harpers Ferry died within the last month, Anita Brown and

Jean Franzen. Anita Brown succumbed to cancer near the end of April and Jean Franzen

from an apparent heart attack in May.

Those who knew them are saddened by their passing Condolences are extended to

their families and survivors.

William Donald Schaefer, former Mayor of Baltimore, Governor of Maryland and

Comptroller, died last month of age related complications. He was 89 years old. Gover-

nor Schaefer was an honorary citizen of Harpers Ferry, visiting with Mayor Addy who

had known him for many years. The former mayor, governor, and comptroller was a

friend of Dixie Kilham, long time owner of the Hilltop House. Both graduated from the

University of Baltimore law school.

Harpers Ferry Historic Town Foundation News

The Month of May has seen the Foundation reach both a momentous milestone and the completion of a 2-year effort.

First, the completion of a joint, two-year effort by the Appalachian Trail Community / Canal Towns Committee, a sub-

committee of the Foundation that is chaired by Councilman Joe Anderson – the official designation of Harpers Ferry

and Bolivar as an Appalachian Trail Community.

The celebration was attended, among many others, by Senator John Unger, Mayors Addy and Hardy, ATC Executive

Director Dave Startzell and the Harpers Ferry Middle School Band. Both Towns were presented a certificate of appre-

ciation from the West Virginia State Senate.

The designation as an Appalachian Trail Town will, through many avenues, increase awareness of the many unique

opportunities available in the Harpers Ferry/ Bolivar region. There are more than 15,000 trail visitors as well as two

million visitors to the Appalachian Trail every year. Approximately 1,500 of these visitors are “thru-hikers” and this is

the time of the year that they begin arriving mid-way on their trek from Georgia to Maine or, alternately, for those who

choose to hike in the southerly direction, in early fall. Providing for the needs of these visitors helps diversify our com-

munity and gives a boost to the local economy.

Second, funding for the Potomac Street Project has officially arrived. This Project was initiated from the Compre-

hensive Plan’s goal to expand the town’s commercial tax base. The Foundation’s Potomac Street Committee, chaired

by Don Alexander, put together a formal presentation to apply for the $1.67 Million Dollar Grant. The grant was desig-

nated to fund a revitalization and preservation project for Potomac Street. Senator Byrd was able to get a Transporta-

tion Grant in 2008, but Harpers Ferry had to provide Matching Funds in the amount of 20% of the Grant - $333,450.00.

The Foundation has spent the better part of the last two years and much of its volunteer resources successfully working on obtain-

ing that Match. Through direct contact, presentations, persuasion and sheer persistence, the Foundation was able to secure the fol-

lowing donations.

Allegheny Energy (in–kind Engineering) $ 25,000

Comcast (in-kind Engineering) $ 10,000

Jefferson County (in-kind Engineering) $ 22,568

Jefferson County Commission (cash) $ 60,000

State of West Virginia (Senate Finance-cash) $ 55,000

Total of Numerous Private Donations (cash) $ 39,276

Town of Harpers Ferry Force Account $129,584

Total: $341,428

The only funds the Town had to commit to the Project were the “Force Account” costs that would be incurred by the Town to actu-

ally implement and support the Grant.

Town Council Meeting May 9,2011 Town Council Approved

Minutes of April 19,2011 with correction concerning a motion that passed by a vote of 3 for and 2

against

Minutes of April 27,2011

Financial report with details of expenditures( See report at Town Office)

Sign permits

Filomena Ariano 914 Washington St.

Mena’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant

Laurie Potteiger– 799 Washington Street– Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Building Permits

McLoughin 371 Henry Clay Street– Replacement windows– letter lifting stop work order sent

Guy & Michelle Hammer 390 Fillmore Street– replacing rear porch roof

Brett Koonse 470 Fillmore Street apply real stone to concrete foundation

Compensation for June, 2011 municipal election workers and owner of voting facility

Comp time for Treasurer, Shauna Johnstone

$1,500 to support “Music on the Ridge” from Hotel/Motel Tax fund

Town Council Heard

Police Department report

Citations: 145 Complaints: 63

Bolivar does not want a representative on the Harpers Ferry Water Commission Delta Associates

visited Harpers Ferry preparatory to Storm water drainage survey

Police budget appropriation approved by Bolivar Town Council thanks to Shauna Johnstone

Elks Run Study Committee report see Barbara Humes for details

Emerging response details from session that Dan Riss attended at an Emergency Services exercise

Don Burgess states Canal Town brochure under design

Merchants Association details to improve and reward business shopping in lower town( Gary De

Brueler, Chairman of Merchants Association has additional information)

Police Commission taking form, Representatives are next section of community to determine needs

for a permanent police chief for Harpers Ferry/ Bolivar . Mayor Addy reported

Foundation grant of $ 1333,000 was received from Department of Highways. Work can begin on

Potomac Street in the near future

Hydrant RFP advertised bids are being received

Community Development approved revised grant specs for interior Town Hall alterations

Mayor Addy has requested $75,000 for another Town Hall grant through Community Development

grant

Community garden proposed( See advertisement on page 6 of newsletter)

Tree committee report( contactKevin Carden for details)

Conflict resolution procedure discussed

Mayor to contact Greg Bailey for response to State Senator Unger’s letter on Town riparian nghts

Placement of sign for Appalachian Trail Town designation for Harpers Ferry– Joe Anderson re-

sponsible

Vision statement by David Benamino on hold until he contacts us

Trash can purchases on hold

“Dog station” still in question

Council adjourned at 9:20P.M. next regular Town Council meeting Monday, June 13,2011 at 7PM