Patrolman Austin Simms receives the Life Saving Award from Mayor Jim Auxer, right, and Shepherdstown Police Department Chief Mike King, left, at this month’s Town Council meeting. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — In their monthly meeting in Town Hall on Nov. 14, the Corporation of Shepherdstown’s Town Council delved into several updates and discussions regarding infrastructure projects, the Market House and Christmas in Shepherdstown preparations.

During the meeting, a resident expressed his frustration about the recurring incidents and the associated costs of repairs to the Shepherdstown Public Library.

He highlighted the urgent need for action and proposed various solutions that have been suggested by the community, including the establishment of a loading zone area, creating more green space, implementing a pedestrian area and expanding parking options.

The meeting saw key figures from the community, including Peggy McKowen, the artistic director of the Contemporary American Theatre Festival, seeking funding of $5,000 for the adaptation of “Our Town” to “Our Shepherdstown.”

Her proposal envisions an annual holiday event that will feature localized renditions of Thornton Wilder’s classic play, with each performance growing to include new characteristics of the town. McKowen requested the Town Council to join the effort, proposing a $5,000 donation to fund the initiative.

Town Council members (from left) Leah Rampy, Marty Amerikaner, Jenny Haynes, Town Recorder Lori Robertson, Mayor Jim Auxer, Cheryl Roberts and Chris Stroech stand with town administrator Stephanie Grove, during the Nov. 14 meeting in Town Hall. Larissa Mendy

The proposal was well accepted by the Town Council, with members expressing their enthusiasm and support for the effort. The funding proposal was accepted, indicating the council’s commitment to encouraging community cultural efforts.

“This is our effort to help serve the community better, to bring more people to Shepherdstown and to have more opportunity to be a part of the community,” said McKowen.

Following McKowen’s proposal, Elizabeth Ricketts, a Saint council member in Charlestown and Jefferson County Municipal HEPMPO Representative, took the floor to discuss crucial transportation and infrastructure matters affecting Shepherdstown.

Ricketts shed light on the HEPMPO’s role in comprehensive transportation planning, emphasizing the importance of advocating for the town’s needs at both the state and federal levels. She presented upcoming initiatives, including a Regional Safety Action Plan and a Congestion Management Process, designed to address safety concerns and manage traffic issues in the region.

The Town Council engaged in discussions about ongoing projects, including resurfacing efforts, the Shepherdstown Bypass and pedestrian safety features, such as the Maddex Square pedestrian crossing at Sheetz.

Among these ventures, the U.S. Route 340 Detour Project stands out, proudly declaring its 65 percent completion milestone. As poles rise and netting weaves its intricate patterns, the town us anticipating the enhanced connectivity and smoother traffic flow that will accompany the project’s conclusion.

Stakeholders recently met to discuss the progress made since their last meeting. Coordination with property owners has been smooth, work sites have been properly plotted and critical information has been shared to ensure successful communication. This open and collaborative approach guarantees that the community is kept informed and involved in the changes taking place around them.

Following these advances, the restoration of the Old Market House suffered a setback, due to a damaged door jamb. However, prompt action has been taken, and insurance has been notified. Meetings with insurance representatives and Hoffenberger of Latimer, the dedicated contractor, are on the horizon, ensuring a fast settlement of the matter. Simultaneously, a request for interior renovations has been initiated, breathing new life into this historic monument.

Shepherdstown will soon sparkle with the warmth of Christmas traditions as the town prepares for the holiday season. The Christmas spirit will be spread by replacing existing lights with LED counterparts that look like traditional screw-in Christmas tree lights, according to the Town Council.

One final item of note was the franchise agreement between the Corporation of Shepherdstown and Shenandoah Cable Television, LLC, the competitive edge of Shentel’s fiber optic cable television and broadband service would bring improved service to Shepherdstown residents. Shentel’s representative outlined the technical advantages, including superior speed, reliability and symmetrical speeds, addressing the growing importance of upload speed in the era of video conferencing and content creation.

The Town Council signaled the need to make a decision on the franchise agreement. A motion was made to remove it from the table, prompting a vote. The meeting concluded with the anticipation of further deliberations and decisions regarding the Shentel infrastructure project.

Town Administrator Stephanie Grove said that this month’s meeting showed the importance of local government, because it holds significant influence over everyday life.

“I think that local government is the closest government that you get, and it impacts your life the most. And for tonight, so we did the Shentel franchise agreement, and you heard some debate about what the lines are going to, you know, how that’s going to crowd [things],” Grove said. “But through this agreement, we’re also getting better internet service.

So local government is great because it’s the closest to the people,” Grove said.

The town council meeting covered various facets of Shepherdstown’s development, addressing infrastructure, Market House repairs, Christmas preparations, financial updates, and plans for securing grants for community projects. These discussions underscored the town’s commitment to progress, community well-being, and fiscal responsibility.