Shepherdstown meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Shepherdstown boards meet on property code, pipe funding, tree requests; no decisions published

Shepherdstown's Town Council, Tree Commission, Age-Friendly committee, and Finance Committee all met over the past two weeks, but none of their minutes have been published yet, so no official decisions are confirmed. The agendas include a property maintenance code, a planned unit development amendment, funding for pipe replacement, and tree requests.

Town Council (Aug. 12)

The Town Council held public hearings on a second reading of a Planned Unit Development Ordinance Amendment and Replacement (continued) and a first reading of an amendment to Chapter 13 to adopt the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code. The council was scheduled to vote on special event requests: Constitution Day Parade (Sept. 19), Rubber Ducky Race (Sept. 20), Appalachian Heritage Festival (Sept. 25-26), and Homecoming Parade (Oct. 17). It also planned to vote on community grants for Jamie Byron (landscaping) and the Shepherdstown Chess Club (tournament), and on a resolution to update the online display of town ordinances. Project updates were also on the agenda.

Tree Commission (Aug. 13)

The Tree Commission reviewed its Tree Action Log for pending and completed actions, discussed the 2026 tree planting, and received an update on the Arborscope/tree inventory. New tree requests were considered at 213 E German, Church & New St, and High & King St. The commission also discussed updates to the Town Landscaping contract.

Age-Friendly Shepherdstown (Aug. 19)

The Age-Friendly Shepherdstown committee met via Zoom to review and approve the July 14, 2026 minutes, wrap up the 2026 Action Plan and tracker, and discuss new business including a Crash Studio discussion and a Pedestrian Plaza survey. The meeting was open to the public via Zoom or phone.

Finance Committee (Aug. 20)

The Finance Committee considered a first FY27 budget amendment, approved funding for a preliminary engineering report on the "Galvanized Pipes Requiring Replacement" project, and discussed financing for a school property purchase. The committee also discussed a donation and began FY28 budget planning.

Coming up

Parks and Recreation Committee (Aug. 25) – The committee will consider a funding request for an engineering study for the Rumsey/Riverfront Trail, receive updates on Rumsey Park Phase III Step 1, a bike rack update at Rumsey Park, and follow-ups on the James Rumsey replacement panel and Historic Bridges panel requests. The meeting is open to the public.

Water board approves $25K engineering study; council to weigh property maintenance code

Shepherdstown's Water and Sanitary Board approved a $25,000 engineering report for a lead service line replacement project, the most consequential decision from the past week's town meetings. The Town Council meets Aug. 12 to vote on a property maintenance code and other items.

Water board approves engineering study

The Water and Sanitary Board voted July 28 to accept a $25,000 proposal from GHOSH Engineers to develop a Preliminary Engineering Report for the Lead Service Replacement project. The project will replace 422 galvanized service lines that cannot be proven to have never been connected to lead lines. The board added a requirement that the report include all engineering information needed to apply for construction funding from the WV Drinking Water Revolving Fund. The vote tally was not recorded in the minutes.

Parks committee reviews park conditions

The Parks and Recreation Committee met July 28 and approved its agenda and the May 26 minutes, both unanimously. Members reported that Rumsey Park is in its best condition in years and that the text for a replacement panel honoring James Rumsey is acceptable. The committee forwarded the panel text to the mayor and council for review and approval, but took no formal vote on that action.

Agenda-only meetings this week

Three other committees met this week but have not yet published minutes, so no decisions are confirmed.

• **Historic Landmarks Commission (Aug. 3):** Will consider a roof replacement application at 205 W. Washington St., workshop a porch restoration at 201 N. Mill St., and discuss an interpretive plan and historic preservation award nominations.
• **Grants Committee (Aug. 4):** Scheduled to review grant opportunities including a shuttle concept, Chesapeake Bay Trust Green Streets, and trail grants, and to adopt a final intake form and discuss a draft committee charter.
• **Finance Committee (Aug. 5):** Will review community grant applications from The Wall Native Garden, Boots-on-the-Ground Youth Leadership Academy, and Shepherdstown Chess Club, and plan the FY28 budget timeline.

Coming up: Town Council

The Town Council meets Aug. 12 with public hearings on a planned unit development ordinance amendment and adoption of the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code. The council will also vote on special event requests (Constitution Day Parade, Rubber Ducky Race, Appalachian Heritage Festival, Homecoming Parade), community grants for Jamie Byron and the Shepherdstown Chess Club, and a resolution on online ordinance display. Updates on ongoing projects are also on the agenda.