Federal Agencies Plan Harpers Ferry Land Swap, Charles Town Votes To Raise Sewer Fee
Published 8 days ago • 9 min read
Observer Weekly
November 20, 2025
Jefferson County, WV news & events
Every week, The Observer digs into the details that matter in Jefferson County. Our content is free for everyone to read, but producing well-researched local news isn’t free.
Federal Agencies Plan To Swap Land In Harpers Ferry
The four members of West Virginia’s Congressional delegation have introduced legislation to authorize a long-planned transfer of 71.5 acres of land from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to the National Park Service (NPS) in exchange for 25 acres of land to be transferred from NPS to CBP.
The land to be transferred to NPS consists of three parcels that lie just to the east of Schoolhouse Ridge (click here for full map and images) and fills in the gap surrounded by existing NPS land that sits along Route 340 and Millville Road.
The 25 acres of current park land to be transferred to CBP are located just south of the existing CBP training facility, adjacent to the CSX rail line. NPS has restricted public access to this area since 2019 because of the danger posed by several sinkholes in the vicinity of the trail that runs along the southern portion of Schoolhouse Ridge (the trail that runs northward from the Schoolhouse Ridge parking area remains open to the public).
Senators Jim Justice and Shelly Moore Capito introduced legislation on July 15 2025 (S. 2280) to authorize the transfer. Congressman Riley Moore, along with Congresswoman Carol Miller, introduced the corresponding legislation in the House (H.R. 6062) on November 17. The text of the House bill is not yet published, but it likely mirrors both the Senate legislation and an earlier version of the House legislation that was included in the markup for the FY26 appropriations bill that included the Interior Department budget.
According to an NPS spokesperson, “The 71.5 acres proposed for transfer to the National Park Service would become part of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park’s Schoolhouse Ridge cultural landscape, which is nationally significant for its role in the 1862 Battle for Harpers Ferry and John Brown’s 1859 raid. The proposed land transfer would improve access and stewardship of park lands and allow for the expansion of Customs and Border Protection's Advanced Training Center. This has been a shared goal of the National Park Service and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for more than a decade.”
Congressional Action To Complete The Transfer
The General Services Administration administers land held for both NPS and CBP. Individuals familiar with the GSA told The Observer that the land exchange process can take many years. According to the land exchange process outlined on the GSA website, the requirements include surveys, environmental studies, and public review. The map for this project was completed in May 2021, suggesting that the survey and other preliminary work were completed several years earlier.
The information available on the GSA website indicates that transfers typically involve property of equivalent value. The Observer’s sources say that Congressional approval is required for property valued above a certain amount. While the value of the parcels involved in this exchange is unclear, the disparity in the acreage between the two parcels likely triggered a requirement for Congressional approval.
CBP Plans For New Land Not Announced
Congressman Moore issued a press release on November 17 indicating that expansion of the Harpers Ferry CBP Advance Training Center (ATC) had been constrained and that this new land would “clear the final barrier to expanding the ATC’s critical training infrastructure.”
Despite the characterization of constraints at ATC, CPB celebrated the ribbon cutting for the newly-constructed Monarch Hall on June 24, 2025 (both Congressman Moore and Senator Capito attended that ribbon cutting ceremony) and there appears to be ongoing construction on the site. CPB has not provided any information about whether they have any immediate plans for construction on the parcel they expect to receive.
Most Dangerous Intersections: Harpers Ferry - WV Rt 340 at CW Shipley School Road
Drivers on WV Rt. 340 and Shipley School Road face fast-moving traffic and limited visibility near a busy school zone. One hesitation can lead to disaster. Watch Skinner’s Most Dangerous Intersections Series today as Stephen and Andrew Skinner highlight why this Harpers Ferry intersection demands your attention and extra caution behind the wheel.
Charles Town Utility Fee Increase Faces Likely Challenges
George Street sewer plant operated by Charles Town Utility Board
The Charles Town City Council voted 5-4 on November 17 to raise the “sewer capacity improvement fee” (sewer CIF) charged to new residential and commercial development projects.
The increase in the sewer CIF had been recommended to the Council by the Charles Town Utility Board (CTUB), the independent five-member board that oversees the utility that is owned and operated by the city. The utility board also provided a recommendation to reduce the water CIF, which the City Council adopted at the November 17 meeting as well.
Both the water and sewer CIFs will be reviewed by the WV Public Service Commission. CTUB officials say that the new fees will be filed with the PSC on November 20. If the process follows the typical PSC schedule, that three-member commission would review the fee proposal within 30 days and the new fees would go into effect on January 1, 2026. However, if the PSC receives a complaint it will schedule a hearing and review, which could extend the process by six to nine months.
The Ranson City Council has been following the CIF discussion and has expressed concerns that the burden for the increased sewer CIF would fall disproportionately on development within its jurisdiction. The Council plans to decide at its December 2 meeting whether it will file a formal complaint with the PSC.
An attorney representing a local developer has also indicated that his client will be filing a complaint with the PSC.
A Split Vote By CTUB
CTUB hired a consulting company earlier this year to review its operations and capacity projections for purposes of calculating the costs of future expansion to serve future growth. These cost projections are used to justify the capacity improvement fees when they are presented to the WV Public Service Commission for review.
The consultant presented its expert analysis to the board in September. Utility board member John Maxey provided alternative cost projections during the meeting and convinced his fellow board members to use his numbers rather than the consultant's projections to calculate a higher sewer CIF.
When CTUB met in October, the utility’s outside counsel advised the board members multiple times against relying on numbers that had not been vetted by an independent expert and pointed out that CTUB could not ask its consultant or engineers to testify at the PSC in support of the fee increases if it disregarded their advice.
The chair of the utility board asked for a reconsideration on the fee decision during the October meeting, but was outvoted 3-2 to allow the original vote to rely on Maxey’s numbers to stand.
City Council Follows CTUB Lead
The November 17 vote at the Charles Town Council followed a public hearing and a second reading of the ordinance that adopts the new fees. During the public comment, Todd Wilt, the Ranson city manager spoke on behalf of the City to question whether Charles Town was considering the broader impact on the county, suggesting that CTUB’s chosen course on the sewer CIF threatens the economic strength of the county and weakens the trust between the cities of Charles Town and Ranson. He asked that the Charles Town Council hold off on a decision until the Ranson Council had the opportunity to review the data justifying the fee increases.
Following the public hearing, the Charles Town Council quickly adopted the new fees with little discussion. Mayor Mike George remarked that he was “disappointed that there was no discussion. We already have two entities who say they will challenge this decision… and I don’t think we can defend it.”
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Valley Health Opens New Primary Care Facility In Ranson
Valley Health celebrated the upcoming opening of its new primary care facility off Fairfax Circle on Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by several state legislators, county commissioners, and Ranson Mayor Ken Suits.
Dr. Iyad Sabbagh, the chief physician of Valley Health, said that the state-of-the-art facility represents Valley Health’s commitment to expanding access to primary care in West Virginia. Brad Rogers, COO of Valley Health said the current practice located near downtown Ranson would be moving to this new facility in early December, with the goal of expanding to seven primary care physicians and nurse practitioners within the next six months.
Mark Baker, Valley Health VP of Facilities said the company has invested approximately $10 million to construct and equip the 18,000 square foot facility, which includes 15,000 square feet of space that will be occupied immediately and 3,000 square feet available for future expansion. Baker also said the company purchased an adjacent parcel of land that could accommodate a second 10,000 square foot building in the future.
The communications team said the existing Valley Health Ranson website will be updated with new practitioner information, hours and service details when the facility opens next month.
Highlights of upcoming events around Jefferson County:
Covenant Food Pantry — Monthly food distribution serving local residents. 7485 Shepherdstown Pike, Shepherdstown. Thursday, Nov 20, 3 – 4 pm. Free. Info…
St. Isidore Thanksgiving Market — Affordable locally-grown food co-presented by St. Isidore Market and Community Markets Inc. for the Thanksgiving season. 49 Crosswinds Dr, Charles Town. Thursday, Nov 20, 5 – 6:30 pm. Free. Info…
Third Thursday Open Acoustic Jams — Monthly community jam session welcoming local musicians. Barn of Rose Hill, 95 Chalmers Court, Berryville, VA. Thursday, Nov 20, 5 – 8 pm. Free. Info…
Wind Symphony Concert — Performance by the Shepherd University Wind Symphony. Frank Arts Center, 260 University Drive, Shepherdstown. Thursday, Nov 20, 7:30 pm. Free. Info…
Art Market by Shepherd University Alumni — One-of-a-kind and affordable artwork created by Shepherd University alumni. Evolve Shepherdstown, 106 West German St, Shepherdstown. Thursday, Nov 20, noon - 6 pm, Saturday, Nov 21, 11 am - 7 pm, and Sunday, Nov 22, 11 am - 7 pm. Free. Info…
Loving Our Community — Free community meal, clothes, hygiene products, and other resources offered by a group of local congregations. St. Thomas Lutheran, 111 S Seminary St, Charles Town. Friday, Nov 21, 5 - 7 pm. Free. Info…
Storywalk in the Park — Self-guided children’s storywalk along a nature trail. Yankauer Nature Preserve, 438 Whitings Neck Road, Martinsburg. Saturday, Nov 22, 8 am to Sunday, Nov 30 at 6 pm. Free. Info…
Bake Sale at City National Bank — Fundraiser for Christmas Cash for Kids. City National Bank, 1034 South George St, Charles Town. Saturday, Nov 22, 9 am - noon. $ Info…
Handmade Christmas Market — Holiday market featuring local and handmade goods. War Memorial Building, 102 E German St, Shepherdstown. Saturday, Nov 22, 11 am - 5 pm. Free. Info…
Book Talk: The Lovetts and Their Hill Top House — Presentation on the history of the founders of the Hill Top House by local author Lynn Pechuekonis. Jefferson County Museum, 200 E Washington St, Charles Town. Saturday, Nov 22, 11 am. Free. Info…
A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story — Screening of new documentary film on the Japanese photographer whose work inspired the creation of the Appalachian Trail. Q&A with film maker to follow. Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 West German St, Shepherdstown. Saturday, Nov 22, 7 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Morgan’s Grove Park Star Party — The public is welcome to this stargazing event hosted by the Shepherdstown Community Club at Morgan’s Grove Park, 4198 Kearneysville Pike, Shepherdstown. Saturday, Nov 22, 7 - 10 pm. Free. Info…
Motown Christmas — Holiday Motown performance. Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 West Patrick St, Frederick, MD. Saturday, Nov 22, 8 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Sip & Screen at the Opera House — Free film screening with purchase of drink or snack at the Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 West German St, Shepherdstown. Sunday, Nov 23, 3 pm. Free. Info…
Christmas in the Park — Annual holiday event’s lights and decorated tree displays will be viewable starting Wednesday, Nov 26. War Memorial Park, 500 N Tennessee Ave, Martinsburg. Free. Info…
Spotlight — Alma Bea Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Mary Ellen Diaz, founder and Executive Chef at Alma Bea invites Jefferson County residents to a Thanksgiving Dinner at Alma Bea (202 East Washington, Shepherdstown) on November 27 from 12-3 pm (or until food runs out).
According to Diaz, the meal is for anyone who wants to share a Thanksgiving celebration in community with neighbors, including those affected by government layoffs or SNAP reductions, those who are far from family on the holiday, or anyone who is looking for the fellowship of neighbors this Thanksgiving. The dinner is free, but donations to Shepherdstown Shares and Community Markets Inc. are accepted. Reservations are not required.
Diaz says she also welcomes volunteers-to help make dinner, slice turkey, serve food and beverages, slice pie, set up an activity table for kids, play music, donate your creativity to decorate tables, and crucially, help to clean up! If you are interested, contact Diaz at info.almabea@gmail.com.
