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Town Council talks Old Market House building, police officer retirement

By Tabitha Johnston - Chronicle Staff | Jul 21, 2023

SHEPHERDSTOWN — July’s monthly meeting in Town Hall for the Corporation of Shepherdstown Town Council began with a quick public hearing.

During the public hearing, the second reading was given to an ordinance re-enacting Section 9-902 XIV., entitled “Project Permit Fee Schedule” to add a fee for the publication of legal notices. It was unanimously approved.

A public hearing was held for the consideration of a lease agreement between the Corporation of Shepherdstown and The Jefferson County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, pertaining to the town leasing to the Jefferson County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau the Old Market House building at 100 East German Street in Shepherdstown. The Town Council unanimously approved the resolution to enter into the agreement, as well as the lease agreement itself.

Shepherdstown Police Department Chief of Police Mike King then spoke to the meeting’s attendees about the retirement of Officer Michael Moats.

“Officer Moats has been here 42 years! He started [his career as a police officer] in 1982,” King said, mentioning Moats came to Shepherdstown after working for the Brunswick Police Department, Hagerstown Police Department, Hagerstown Community College Campus Police and Maryland Department of Mental Health & Hygiene. “He was hired on here in July of 2015 and, unfortunately, he’s calling it quits.”

The Town Council and meeting attendees expressed their appreciation for Moats’ years of service with a round of applause.

“I have really enjoyed working out here. It was my kind of job,” Moats said, reminiscing on his fond memories of watching football and basketball games with Mayor Jim Auxer. “In Hagerstown, it had started developing into a type of community police work, and this town fit right into that! It was that kind of police work that the chief wanted and the mayor and council wanted, and it was right up my alley. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it!”

King then introduced Moats’ replacement to the room.

“Austin Simms comes to us from the West Virginia State Police,” King said, noting Simms went through the police academy in Jan. 2022. “He graduated in July and, in March, he decided that the state police was not the type of policing he would like to do. He went through a very rigorous background [check]. He’s working out very well!”

Simms, who was attending the meeting, introduced himself and his girlfriend, Jennifer.

“I’m originally from Greenbrier County. The state police moved me up here about a year ago, and I like it up here,” Simms said. “I’m having a good time here in Shepherdstown. It’s a lot different than the state police — they’re a lot more stress inducing!”

Shepherdstown resident Mary Buffington then approached the Town Council, requesting for three street closures to be made in conjunction with Boo Fest: 5-8:30 p.m. on Oct. 31, from Duke Street to Princess Street; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 15, from the Shepherdstown Farmers Market to the alley of North King Street; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 28, from the Shepherdstown Farmers Market to the alley of North King Street.

“As a parent of a young child that likes to run away from me right now, because he’s two, I would be horrified if something happened to him while walking on the street, and I think a lot of parents feel the same way,” Buffington said, mentioning she has a number of new ideas for this year’s Boo Fest, including a chainsaw pumpkin carving contest and teen movie night in Reynolds Hall.

Bryan Byrd then spoke to the Town Council on behalf of Shentel Telecommunications Company, which is a telecom service provider, requesting for a Shentel Franchise Agreement to be made with the town. The Town Council moved to begin publicizing the agreement idea after the meeting, to determine the public’s interest in it being made.