The Envisioning Jefferson in 2045 Public Survey is now live! This public survey is focused on living in Jefferson County and is open until November 20^th. Anyone who lives, works, or plays in Jefferson County is encouraged to fill out the survey by using the link here. The survey can also be accessed through the Jefferson County website. We would ask everyone to share the link so we can hear from as many members of our community as possible. If a paper copy is required, visit a Jefferson County library or the Office of Planning and Zoning. The survey only takes 5-7 minutes to complete and your input will help guide Jefferson County for the next twenty years

For complete information, click here.

Best of West Virginia 2023

On the evening of October 1^st, the West Virginia Department of Highways will begin milling and paving work in Shepherdstown. Without notification to the Town, the West Virginia Department of Highways awarded a contract in June of this year for the paving and milling of WVDOH maintained streets in Shepherdstown.* These roads are owned and maintained by the State of West Virginia, and the Town does not have jurisdiction over any of those state roads, even though they are located within the corporate boundaries.  Town officials have been requesting the WVDOH complete this work for over three years as it may assist with alleviating flooding in some areas. However, the Town was unaware work would begin until the contractor reached out to the mayor earlier this week to discuss the project prior to beginning the work. The following is the information provided and discussed during that meeting:

• Milling and paving work will begin Sunday, October 1, 2023. To receive federal funds, WVDOH is required to complete all work by November 17, 2023.
• In an effort to keep traffic disruption to a minimum and in light of the increased traffic from the Route 340 closure, all work related to this project will be performed in the evening between the hours of 7pm-6am. Parking and travel will be impacted during these hours.
• All streets will be available for travel and parking during the day.
• No work will occur on Friday or Saturday evenings, and streets will be open for travel and parking during this time.
• The project will begin with the W. German Street portion.
• The last area to be milled and paved will be E. Duke Street/WV 480.
• The entire project is estimated to last for 3 weeks.

A map of the proposed route and a tentative work schedule can be viewed here (schedule updated 10/11/2023). This schedule is subject to change due to delays caused by weather or other unforeseen conditions. As work progresses, the Town will continue to monitor the project and issue updated notices on our website, e-mail list, and social media pages. If you have any questions please contact Stephanie Grove, Town Administrator, at (304) 876-2312.

-Mayor Jim Auxer

* The following sections of streets are scheduled for work:

• German from Duke to Princess
• Princess from Washington to High
• Washington from Church to 230
• Church from Washington toe Kearneysville Pike (WV 480)
• Duke from Church Alley to German

A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall (104 North King Street, Shepherdstown, WV) for the purpose of considering a franchise agreement between the Corporation of Shepherdstown and Shenandoah Cable Television, LLC. The franchise agreement pertains to the Town granting a nonexclusive right and privilege to Shenandoah Cable Television, LLC, for the operation of a community antenna television system (CATV) within all areas of the Corporation of Shepherdstown. The term of this agreement is 20 years. The franchise fee to be paid to the Corporation of Shepherdstown is $250,000 and .05% of the gross revenue derived from the operation of the CATV system during the preceding quarter. The draft franchise agreement can be viewed at Town Hall, 104 North King Street, Shepherdstown, WV or by clicking here.

Amy L. Boyd, Town Clerk

For the Corporation of Shepherdstown

A water repair is scheduled to take place on South Princess Street on Monday, July 24^th.  North bound traffic will be closed, but the street will be open to south bound traffic.

Traffic coming from Washington Street will not have access to Princess Street.  Traffic from German Street will have access to Princess Street (south bound). Work will begin at approximately 8:00 a.m. and will last an estimated 3 hours.

May's glass recycling collection will be moved from Tuesday, May 30 to Thursday, June 1.  Please call Town Hall at 304-876-2574 with any questions.

From the Shepherdstown Planning and Zoning Office:

Beginning July 2023, the deadline for Certificate of Appropriateness / Project Permit applications will be the second Monday of the previous month.  No applications will be reviewed in June.  Please email questions to abeall@shepherdstown.us or call (304) 876-6858.

The Shepherdstown Council is pleased to announce that for the first time in its 261-year history, Shepherdstown has a town administrator. On March 21, 2023, the Shepherdstown Council voted to hire Stephanie Grove as the Town’s first administrator. Grove’s first day at town hall was on March 29, 2023, and she attended her first council meeting that evening, when the Council convened a special meeting to review applications for the Market House.

The Town Council began working on creating the Town Administrator position in late summer of last year. However, Mayor Jim Auxer indicated that the idea of hiring a town administrator has been informally discussed among the Council for years.  “The Town is fortunate to have been able to attract such an experienced and competent candidate,” Auxer said.

Grove, a native of Jefferson County, has over seventeen years’ experience in Jefferson County local government service. She began her career as an assistant prosecutor in the Civil Division of the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s office, representing county boards and elected officials. After that, she served as the Jefferson County Administrator for six years and then briefly as the City Manager of Ranson.  “I really got to know Stephanie during the pandemic, when she organized meetings between the County Commission and the County’s five mayors and other stakeholders in the County. During that time, she assisted me and the other mayors with navigating the various state and federal directives related to COVID-19. Both the Council and I are thrilled to have her join the staff here at Shepherdstown.”

The Shepherdstown Water Department has scheduled its annual fire hydrant flushing program to begin on April 17, 2023 through May 17, 20230.  During this time, customers may experience lower than normal pressures, as well as water that is cloudy in appearance. This should correct itself as we progress throughout the system. This is an important maintenance task that must be completed, we apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause to our customers. Questions should be directed to Charles Coe, Chief Water Plant Operator, at 304-876-2394.