Harpers Ferry Community Newsletter

January 2018 Volume 15 Issue 1

Fire Department: A schedule of annual payments The Mayor’s Note has been established to help support the financial needs of Friendship Fire Department. We appreciate At the January town council that they stand ready to serve.

meeting I presented this agenda for the New Year: Traffic and Highway Safety: We are working on a number of additional safety measures and ideas in Public Works response to the terrible collision experienced in December by Hardwick Johnson. There have been The Town Water Project fatal accidents in the past. Additional police patrols awaits approval of the USDA will enforce speed limits and the influx of drugs that loan. We hope to hear this make their way into our county via this part of 340. month that the long term low Additional signage will be studied within the city -interest loan is about to be approved. This will allow limits and beyond. the logistics and construction phase of the project to (Continue on next page) begin. The design documents have been completed.

In order for the project to proceed, Harpers Ferry IN THIS ISSUE

National Historical Park will need to approve a 40-year easement/right-of-way request submitted by the Town Page 1-2 Mayor’s Message of Harpers Ferry. This easement/right-of-way is required where the main water piping feed to our tanks Page 3 Notices crosses park property. Page 4 Visit to Library of Congress, Hardy

Note: The major water plant infrastructure and systems Page 5 Artifacts upgrade project has been a focus for over a decade. We Page 6 Harper Cemetery are currently moving forward with the project process. Page 7 Community Garden

Public Safety Page 8 Graffiti in Underpass

Page 9 Student Writer, Katherine Johnson, NPS event Police: The town is currently in the process of hiring new police officers. Chief Brown has finalized the Page 10 Blast from the Past budget, which includes new equipment that will assist Page 11 Town Calendar, Contacting Council our police in the performance of their duties. We thank our police force for their dedication to duty, diligence Page 12 Water Works in keeping our town safe, and for enduring life- threatening risks in the daily performance of their jobs.

Page 1 (Mayor’s Note continued)

Plans for Building and Development

Questions, clarifications, and information have been submitted back and forth between Hilltop Hotel owners, SWaN Investors, and the Town of Harpers Ferry during the final quarter of 2017. The SWaN group has stated that they are in the design/concept phase of the proposed project. They will continue to update the town at the regularly scheduled town council meetings regarding their upcoming project and the proposed path forward. Public forums will be held as needed. Reconstruction in the lower town is not yet complete. Concepts and designs have been submitted to the town. Potomac Street lighting, and street and sidewalk amenities will be studied and completed, with public input.

Business Development, Tourism, Arts and Culture

The Town of Harpers Ferry will continue to foster its relationships with our local businesses, merchants, committees, organizations, neighboring towns, Jefferson County, the County Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the State of West Virginia, and to avail itself of resources available to our community. The mayor will continue to meet with mayors of other municipalities for mutually beneficial sharing of ideas.

Reviving our Parks and Recreation Commission has been a big step towards re-establishing seasonal programs, arts and events, celebrations, and new events in our town, for the pleasure of residents and visitors. Parks and Rec has begun interfacing with the Merchants Association, in an effort to enhance communications, as we move forward in a new economy that has seen 20% + growth across the board with tourism, and hotel, motel, and B&B occupancies.

The Greenway Trail connector project is alive and well. Hikers and walkers will be able to venture from the lower town to Bolivar Heights, utilizing the town’s paper street network. Surveying and phasing is currently being planned.

The Armory Canal Bike and Hike Trail is currently in the scope and design phase. Construction is targeted for early 2019. Funding, in the form of $580,000 in grants, has been committed to the project. Progress meetings will be held and the schedule will be posted for the community.

All business development efforts are shared in monthly meetings with Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, along with budgets and long and short term plans for the park.

Regular communications with our West Virginia elected officials, Senators Manchin and Capito, and their staffs, will continue.

Parking

The Parking Committee will continue to meet, to review, evaluate, and modify, the town’s parking policy. WiFi/Internet must be improved and provided for the current system to work fairly.

Communication/Technology

The town hall must move forward with upgraded technology systems and equipment to keep up with the needs of the community. As always, I thank you all for your support, and welcome your suggestions and ideas. Volunteers are always needed and appreciated! Let’s work together for a great 2018!

Wayne

Page 2 A Message From Your Water Commission: Water Ordinance Update

The Town Council approved at its regular meeting on January 15 the first reading of Ordinance 2017-09. This is an ordinance for increasing water rates for customers of the Harpers Ferry Water Works in two steps. The first step is an increase of 5% and will become effective when the ordinance is adopted. The first step will raise the minimum water bill from $28.52 to $29.95 (an increase of $1.43). This increase is needed to cover ongoing operation and management of the system. The second step of the ordinance is designed to cover the cost of the major water treatment facility and distribution system upgrade project. It will be an effective 28% increase but won’t go into effect until just prior to the start of the debt service for the infrastructure project. A second reading of the ordinance will be held on February 22 at 7 pm at a Town Council meeting at the Town Hall followed by a public hearing and a Council vote on adoption. The ordinance is available for review at the Town Hall or on the Town’s website at: http://www.harpersferrywv.us/water/misc/ord_2017-09.pdf Further information will be sent to you in your water bill that you will receive in March. Stay tuned.

MEETING NOTICE

A public information meeting on the draft parking permit policy and parking permit process will be conducted on Saturday, February 17, 2018, at 10 a.m. at the Town Hall. It will be repeated on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at 7 p.m. also at the Town Hall.

NOTICE OF VACANCIES IN COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES The Town of Harpers Ferry is actively seeking individuals interested in serving our community. There are currently vacancies on the following Commissions and Committees.

Planning Commission

Historic Landmarks Commission Tree Committee Town office: Help needed! Archiving and record storage

The Town snow plows were out clearing the streets during our recent snow events.

Page 3 Visit to The Library of Congress

Mayor Wayne Bishop visited The Library of Congress in December for a special tour of the Geography and Map Division and the Thomas Jefferson Building. He was accompanied by Councilwoman Midge Flinn Yost, Taylor and Margie Fithian, and Elayne Edel. Harpers Ferry resident, Mike Buscher, who served as Head of the Geography and Map Reading Room until his retirement this month, showed Mayor Bishop and his party historical maps of Harpers Ferry, maps of George Washington’s surveying and properties, and Lewis and Clark’s hand drawn maps, among other treasures. Dr. and Mrs. Fithian own the Washington Family home, Cedar Lawn, in Charles Town, and are board members and Mike Buscher and Mayor Bishop donors for Happy Retreat, another Charles Photo by Midge Flinn Yost Town Washington Family home.

Mike Buscher has spent more than 40 years working at The Library of Congress, 37 in the Geography and Map Division. He is already enjoying his retirement, walking with his Great Pyrenees, Casper, newly adopted from the Humane Society in Hagerstown, up and down the hills and trails in and around Harpers Ferry.

Best Wishes to Hardy By Elayne Edel

We all send our best wishes to Hardwick Johnson, Town Council member, neighbor, and friend. Hardy suffered catastrophic injuries as the result of an auto collision at the intersection of Route 340 and Union Street on the morning of December 15, while driving to work. He spent Christmas in Critical Care at Winchester Medical Center, endured at least three major surgeries, and was finally transferred to Jefferson Hospital, December 29, for further care and recovery. On January 5, he was thrilled to come home to Harpers Ferry! Hardy is fortunate to be married to Shaun Amos, a registered nurse at Jefferson Hospital, who has overseen his care, recovery, and rehabilitation, every step of the way, and will continue to do so in hopes that Hardy can soon rejoin him walking up Maryland Heights most days, as they enjoy doing. The community has rallied around to help. Shaun and Hardy’s next door neighbors loaned them a wheelchair accessible home for the winter, and Elayne Edel organized a meal service for Shaun, while he was commuting to Winchester constantly, and for both fellows now that Hardy is back in Harpers Ferry. Hardy is recovering well, but was very seriously hurt, and will be in a wheelchair until Spring. He expects at least one further surgery. Hardy attended January’s Town Council meeting via telephone, participated in a meeting of the Harpers Cemetery Commission (who brought the meeting to him), and is recovering day by day. Hardy and Shaun send their sincerest thanks to everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and so many acts of kindness throughout their ordeal. If you would like to contribute to the meal service, or send a cheering baked treat, please email Elayne, address below. [email protected]. Page 4 Archaeologist Explains Artifacts Found Under Potomac Street Excerpts taken from The Journal article, Archaeologist to explain artifacts found under Harpers Ferry Street by Tim Cook, January 25, 2018

At the January Town Council meeting, Elizabeth Comer, president of EAC/Archaeology, Inc. who monitored Harpers Ferry Potomac Street Project, presented the Baltimore company’s findings recovered during the 2016 $2.4 million Potomac Street Project. Dr. Comer brought numerous photos and diagrams, as well as many artifacts. About 1,200 artifacts from were found underneath an original thoroughfare during the recent street reconstruction project.

Comer remained on hand throughout the project’s excavation to identify and recover whatever artifacts turned up during the digging. “We identified multiple walls and at least two structures,” she said. “There was a lot going on.” Potomac Street is near a former federal foundry and a long-established railroad line, according to Comer. Stone foundations Laurie Potteiger examines artifacts. uncovered during Potomac Street’s excavation appeared to have Photo by Midge Flinn Yost supported several kinds of buildings, but one likely industrial building that was close to the old federal foundry complex in town, she said. A tuyere, a metal pipe used to blow air into a furnace to boost heat and combustion, was also found at the site.

She reported that several stone-lined storm drains with large flagstones were exposed during the street digging. In addition to more than 460 ceramic fragments of bowls, cups and plates, silverware kitchen pieces were recovered. Old construction materials were found as well as two separate fragments of an old Civil War-era bayonet, she said.

“It was very rich archaeologically, but that was not at all surprising,” Comer said. “What we found made sense given the setting.”

The town and residents of Harpers Ferry own the objects, Comer said, because they were found under a public street. She called the historic artifact recovery an opportunity to glimpse everyday life in Harpers Ferry’s rich Recorder Kevin Carden and Mayor industrial past. “It of interest Bishop look at relics. Photo by Midge because it’s not what people said Flinn Yost they did, it’s what they did,” she said. “That’s why you do archaeology.”

A funding stipulation from the West Virginia Department of Transportation required the site have an archaeologist looking for and recovering historic artifacts during the project, Comer said.

The tuyere found at the site was used to blow air into a furnace. Page 5 More Pictures from Archaeologist Presentation Photos by Midge Flinn Yost

Union Belt Buckle Kevin Carden examines buckle Kevin Carden, Laurel Ziemianski, reporters

Historic Harper Cemetery By Hardwick Johnson

Restoration work continues at historic Harper Cemetery. Most recently, Robert Harper’s grave stone, the founder of Harpers Ferry, was one of 14 select gravestones repaired, restored and reset.

The Trustees are preparing to launch Phase II this Spring when another 17 select gravestones will be repaired, restored and reset. Much of the difficult work is completed by Robert Mosko, Chief Conservator, Mosko Cemetery Monument Services.

The Trustees rely on individual contributions, money raised by the Friends of Harper Cemetery, Inc., and the sale of burial/cremains sites to fund these restoration projects. Financial contributions may be made payable to either “Harper Cemetery” or “Friends of Harper Cemetery, Inc.” and mailed to P.O. Box 106, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425.

Long term projects include a Memorial Garden, restoration of the iron work fencing, and the addition of more ironwork fencing, as well as restoration of all gravestones that are in need of repair, restoration and/or resetting.

Traditional burial and cremains burial sites are available in historic Harper Cemetery. For more information please contact Hardy Johnson at [email protected] or Anne Dungan at [email protected].

Page 6 Page 7 Graffiti in Underpass By Midge Flinn Yost

There's been a dramatic increase in offensive graffiti spray painted on the walls, windows and floors of the underpass at the Harpers Ferry train station. While graffiti is typically seen as an annoyance that we all have to live with, local commuters and residents see it as a safety hazard.

"When people choose to cross the railroad tracks at grade level so they can avoid the graffiti-filled underpass, passenger safety is at risk," said Harpers Ferry Town Council member Midge Flinn Yost. Residents of lower town have seen people parking in and walking around the train station grounds late at Photo by Midge Flinn Yost night.

Recognizing the safety concerns, Police Chief John Brown said he hopes to "increase patrols around the train station and collaborate with the National Park Service as we add new police officers." Chief Brown encourages residents to report any suspicious activity in light of the graffiti issue. The underpass is not just for commuters. For visitors arriving on Amtrak or MARC trains, this passageway is the gateway to historic Harpers Ferry, and the first stop in West Virginia.

Resident Patrick Tierney said, "It's very inappropriate graffiti for a family friendly tourist town. We've got to do something." Angler's Inn and White Fly Outfitters owner Bryan Kelly suggested that "whenever someone has paint left over, we should be encouraged to roll over this pollution." Resident Greg Dean Sherry offered the first gallon of paint.

Tierney added, "Any ideas on how we can coordinate constructive communication to somebody to get some action?" Resident rail expert Robert Brzostowski suggested the town "contact the WV State Railroad Maintenance Authority, who is the proper agency that maintains the passageway."

Council member Midge Flinn Yost reached out to Cindy Butler, Executive Director of the WV Rail Authority, who said the community is welcome to paint over the graffiti. "I asked the Division of Highways about the washable paint, unfortunately they have tried numerous products claiming to be graffiti resistant and haven’t had any luck. So I guess it will have to just be painted over with regular paint for now. I know it is a terrible eye sore and I will try to get someone to do it as soon as possible. It probably should be power washed again ahead of time, so we need to do it around the weather. If you want to paint the tunnel of course it is fine."

Residents and local merchants are coordinating a paint-over date. If you'd like to participate, please email [email protected].

Photo: Midge Flinn Yost (graffiti smeared and blurred for publication)

Page 8 Meet our Student Writer: Celeste Haynes My name is Celeste Haynes and I am a 6th grade student at Harpers Ferry Middle School. I have a keen interest in writing. Each month I plan to write articles for the Harpers Ferry Community Newsletter about our historical town and beautiful state. I hope you enjoy my first article.

Katherine Johnson’s Life at NASA By: Celeste Haynes Katherine Johnson is a brave, intelligent, African American woman who changed history, and she was friends with my very own grandparents and father. Although I have never met her, my dad remembers as a young boy, Katherine Johnson and her husband visiting his family’s home during the holidays. My grandparents went on several vacations, including cruises, with the Johnsons. Katherine accomplished many outstanding things. Here’s the bumpy road she took to get from West Virginia to NASA. Katherine Johnson was born on August 26, 1918 in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. When she started school, she was found to be very smart. Incredibly, she was just 10 years old when she went to college at West Virginia State University. When she graduated, she became a teacher in elementary schools and high schools. After many years of teaching, NASA hired Katherine. While she was at NASA, she faced many challenges as an African-American woman in a white, male dominated profession; however, she persevered and became known as a “human computer.” One of her greatest accomplishments was completing the calculations that helped Apollo’s Lunar Lander orbit the moon. She worked at NASA for a total of 28 years. At age 97, Katherine Johnson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor. I wrote my first article for the newsletter because Katherine Johnson is an amazing, accomplished African -American woman and a family friend. To find out more about her, check out the awarding winning book, Hidden Figures, by Margo Lee Shetterly, or the movie.

Learn about the Contributions of Storer College Students in World War I

On February 4, 2018 at 2 p.m., Harpers Ferry National Historical Park will recognize Black History Month with the opening of a special exhibit entitled Storer College Students in World War I. The exhibit will focus on the contributions made by the students and alumni who served in the Great War.

Mr. Algernon Ward, a member of the Ebony Doughboys, 93rd Infantry, World War I Reenactors, will be the featured speaker. Founded in 2014, the Ebony Doughboys are living historians committed to accurately portraying African American servicemen during World War I. Based on extensive research, group members share stories of the outstanding service provided by the original Doughboys during the “war to end all wars.”

The program will take place at the Mather Training Center, located at 51 Mather Place, Harpers Ferry, WV. For more information contact the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Visitor Center at 304-535-6298.

Page 9 Blast from the Past Odds and Ends of Harpers Ferry History curated by Dan Riss

Siege of the Fort

We have all seen the woodcut depictions of the U.S. Marines under the command of Robert E. Lee attacking the John Brown raiders holed up in the armory fire house. For example:

Well, here is another, full-color, version, which you might not have seen, as envisioned in a diorama in the National Museum of the Marine Corps at Quantico. Photo by Daniel Gurle.

Page 10 COMMUNICATING WITH THE MAYOR OR COUNCIL

Mayor Wayne Bishop [email protected] Recorder Kevin Carden [email protected] Council Barbara Humes [email protected] Hardy Johnson [email protected] Charlotte Thompson [email protected] Ed Wheeless [email protected] Midge Flinn Yost [email protected]

Town Calendar All meetings are at Town Hall, unless noted otherwise.

Jan. 25 Tree Committee meeting, 7 pm

Jan. 29 Historic Landmarks Committee meeting, 7 pm

Jan. 30 Planning Commission meeting, 7 pm

Feb. 7 Municipal Court, 7 pm

Feb. 12 Town Council Meeting, 7 pm OFFICE STAFF 304 535-2206

Feb. 19 Presidents’ Day, Town Hall office closed Water Clerk Angie Cummings Ext. 1

Feb. 19 Trail and Town Alliance meeting, 5 pm Town Clerk Nancy Cummins Ext. 2 Feb. 19 Historic Landmarks Commission meeting, 7 pm Ordinance Compliance Officer Kevin Hamilton Feb. 20 Planning Commission meeting, 7 pm Ext. 1 or 2 Feb. 21 Budget & Finance Committee meeting, 4 pm Police Clerk Susan Waters 304 535-6366 Feb. 21 Water Commission meeting, 7 pm

Feb. 22 Tree Committee meeting, 7 pm Newsletter Information: Editor/Layout: Nancy Cummins [email protected] NEXT DEADLINE: Feb. 15, 2018

Page 11 HARPERS FERRY WATER WORKS

Water Works emergency number : (304) 676-4659

How to pay your water/sewer bill: Mon-Fri, 8:30 am -4:30 pm: Town Hall will be open. (Closed for lunch from noon-1:00 pm)

7 days a week: Leave payment with stub in the slotted box on the Town Hall door downstairs at the east end of the Town Hall. Mail your payment: HF Water Works, PO Box 217, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425

Pay online: Go to https://harpersferrywv.epayub.com.

Did you know?

 If you are moving to Harpers Ferry or Bolivar and want to start water service, you must apply for new water service and new sewer service for each unit and pay a deposit for each: $50 for water and $70 for sewer. Deposits are Water Department Staff 304 535-6555 refundable. Water Plant Manager Brandon Chuvalas  When you get ready to move out, you must fill out a Water Plant Operator II Chris Styer Termination Form, giving the effective date, so that the Water Dept. can read your meter, shut it off and send you Operator In Training Chris Spanos a final bill. Water Clerk Angie Cummings 535-2206, ext. 1  The New Water Service, New Sewer Service and Termination Forms are downloadable on the town website under the Water Dept. tab. They are also available at Town Hall.

FYI - Angie Cummings will be out for a knee replacement for the next few weeks. We wish her well! While Angie is out, we are happy to have Stephanie Howard as her replacement.

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