Town Council members, from left, Marty Amerikaner, Leah Rampy, Town Recorder Lori Robertson and Mayor Jim Auxer sit together on Tuesday night at the monthly Town Council meeting in Town Hall. Ainsley Hall

SHEPHERDSTOWN — The Shepherdstown Town Council met for its monthly meeting on Tuesday night. Topics on the meeting agenda ranged from the Planning Commission’s request to approve the formation of an ADHOC committee to an event request for the Freedom’s Run route.

Dr. Mark Cucuzzella spoke to the Town Council, requesting the approval of the new route for Freedom’s Run, which will be taking place at a later date this year, on Oct. 22. The new route will be safer for everyone, which will make the event more enjoyable for all of its participants.

“There will be only one road crossing,” Cucuzzella said. “It’s great!”

The new route was approved by the council members.

The town Parks and Recreation committee brought two recommendations to the table for the council to consider. First, they discussed whether to send bids out for a path they plan on having built at Cullison Park. The path location has not been firmly decided on, as its route might need to change, due to tree roots or other obstacles in its way. The council agreed that “the public should have [a] say in the route.” The council approved the bids for the path.

The council also discussed a proposal by Hank Walter to build stairs by Rumsey Park, which would help make it more accessible to the public. Walter offered to give back to the town by building these stairs. However, two town citizens expressed their concerns, saying it would take away from the park’s natural beauty and encourage more kids to play in that area.

“I just don’t think it’s a good idea, but I appreciate the sentiment,” one citizen said.

The council said they believed the stairs would make that area safer.

“We aren’t trying to invite kids to play there, but make it safer to view the monument,” council member Cheryl Roberts said. “There are other places to play. I would encourage them to go there.”

Mayor Jim Auxer added that, because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, they were reminded of the importance of having places where people can spend time outside.

“We want to get the maximum use out of our parks,” Auxer said.

In the end, the council approved the proposal.

The Shepherdstown Planning Committee requested the formation of a committee to review the 2014 Comprehensive Plan goals and see what changes need to be made to the 2024 plan. The council agreed that it was time to access the plan and agreed to create an ADHOC committee to do so.