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County commission to send clarification letter on Capon Bridge rescue squad building after volunteers decline purchase
Summary
Hampshire County commissioners instructed staff to draft a letter to the Capon Bridge mayor and council clarifying a 99‑year lease and the county's desire to retain the rescue squad building for EMS services after local volunteers declined to buy it; one commissioner abstained from the vote because of a municipal legal relationship.
Hampshire County commissioners voted Feb. 25 to draft a letter to the Capon Bridge town council clarifying a 1977 99‑year lease for the rescue squad building after volunteer rescuers said they no longer wished to purchase the property.
The action came after commissioners said volunteers who had operated the rescue squad building informed the county they preferred to transfer ownership back to the county rather than pursue a purchase. President Epplinger proposed sending the town a copy of the lease and a short note explaining the county's intent to retain the building for continued paid emergency medical services in Capon Bridge and the surrounding area.
The move matters because the lease includes a first right of refusal for the town of Capon Bridge should the volunteer rescue squad elect not to buy the property. Chief Hammock of the Hampshire County Emergency Services Agency confirmed he had contacted the town mayor and that the town council would review the matter at an upcoming meeting.
Commissioner Bridal noted a potential clause could provide for reversion of the building to the town if it ceased to be used for rescue services; Epplinger said that provision would match the apparent original intent of the lease.
Commissioner Bridal also disclosed he is outside counsel for the town of Capon Bridge and said he would recuse himself from any vote affecting the municipal client. The commission then moved to direct staff to draft and send the clarification letter; the motion passed with two votes in favor and Commissioner Mance abstaining because of his municipal legal relationship.
The clerk said she would draft the letter and circulate it to the commissioners for approval before sending it to the town, and Chief Hammock said the town council was likely to meet in about two weeks.
Background: commissioners said the 99‑year lease dated from the late 1970s, and that the county was asked to clarify ownership and intent after volunteers changed course. The county manager included a copy of the lease in the meeting materials.
