Mayors of four of Jefferson County’s five municipalities signed a certificate of appreciation for outgoing Bolivar Mayor Helen Detmer that was presented at Wednesday’s mayors meeting, the final one before Detmer leaves office. Shown, from left, are Jefferson County Commissioner Steve Stolipher, Ranson Mayor Duke Pierson, Harpers Ferry administrative officer Pat Morse, Detmer, Shepherdstown Mayor Jim Auxer and Charles Town Mayor Bob Trainor. Toni Milbourne

BOLIVAR — The mayors of four of Jefferson County’s municipalities, along with county commission representatives, bid farewell to Bolivar’s outgoing mayor, Helen Detmer, at their bi-monthly meeting held last Wednesday.

Detmer, who did not seek reelection, completes six years as the town’s mayor at the end of this month when newly elected Mayor Steve Paradis steps into the seat. The mayors from Charles Town, Shepherdstown, Ranson and Harpers Ferry jointly signed a certificate of appreciation for Detmer and presented it at the start of Wednesday’s gathering.

Detmer hosted the meeting, where mayors, commissioners and other staffers joined to discuss a short list of items of importance to all in the county. Top on the list was a continued discussion on the safety of train travel through the area.

In March of this year, the mayors all signed letters to both Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), outlining safety concerns. Letters were also submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration.

The letters, sent in March, advised the senators that town officials remain “deeply concerned about the safety and security of the rail lines traversing through our five jurisdictions.” The letter pointed out there are two principal rail systems running through the county and that within any given 24-hour period, the number of freight cars likely exceeds 1,000.

“The disconcerting fact is that a significant percentage of these freight cars are tankers, and a high percentage of these tanker cars, most assuredly, are transporting hazardous and flammable materials,” the letter said.

Specific concerns highlighted in the letter included a focus on dramatic track curves and all of the crossings throughout the county, as well as train speed.

Each of the five municipalities represented at the mayors meeting Wednesday confirmed they had received no response from either senator. Ranson Mayor Duke Pierson indicated he would reach out to Sen. Manchin’s local representative, while Charles Town Mayor Bob Trainor will do the same for Sen. Capito.

Other topics discussed at the meeting included the county’s ambulance service. Jefferson County Commissioner Steve Stolipher assured the town representatives that nothing has changed as far as service provided to residents after the county took over the ambulance service.

“It is just in a spotlight, because there is change,” Stolipher said.

The question then arose on whether the county plans to put a fire levy on an upcoming ballot for approval by voters. Stolipher said that while the county has not yet officially heard from the Fire and Rescue Association requesting such a ballot item, he believes it is likely.

Discussion of a potential fire fee through a levy led to the question of whether the county as a whole can legally charge an additional 1 percent tax, as does each of the municipalities, via the Home Rule. The answer given was that yes, the county could add an increase in the sales tax. Pierson suggested perhaps placing a fire levy on the ballot and, if that did not pass, then going to the institution of the 1 percent tax. Trainor, on the other hand, said it would be better to do both.

Commissioner Jennifer Krouse voiced concern over adding additional tax burdens to county residents and instead, indicated a look at “tightening the belt” may be the best course of action.

Pierson reported that Ranson officials recently had a brief discussion with the county board of education members regarding the new school being constructed in the town. He indicated that the school officials shared that the new Ranson Elementary School was going to be “the best in West Virginia,” having the most advanced technology.

Pierson said he hopes that is the case, but he continued to voice concerns that the school will no longer be walkable for Ranson children, which adds to transportation costs as a whole.

“I don’t know when it will be finished. Some of us — I don’t know how old some of you are — but we may not see it in our lifetime,” he said, adding that no real work has been done for the project he was told at groundbreaking would be complete by the fall of 2024.

Shepherdstown Mayor Jim Auxer said he and his council have not heard any update at all on the proposed Shepherdstown Elementary School.

The next meeting of the mayors will be held in Shepherdstown in August.