Utilities For Summit Point, Shepherdstown Snapshot, Huntfield Changes Nixed
Published about 20 hours ago • 11 min read
Observer Weekly
February 12, 2026
Jefferson County, WV news & events
In this issue:
This month’s Shepherdstown Snapshot
Ranson annexation
Summit Point water and sewer project developments
Events calendar
And more...
Both the City of Charles Town and the Jefferson County Development Authority have meetings scheduled next week to discuss options for moving forward with the Summit Point water and sewer project — we’ll be there, and elsewhere around the county, to keep you updated on what happens.
— Steve Pearson
The Observer is proud to be the "Best Small Local Newspaper" in West Virginia — WV Living's Best of West Virginia - 2025 Gold Award Winner
Financing Questions For Summit Point Utility Project
CTUB meeting, February 11 2026
At its February 11 meeting, the Charles Town Utility Board (CTUB) expressed support for a project that would provide water and sewer service to the Summit Point Motorsports Park.
In December 2025, CTUB had applied for a grant from the West Virginia Water Development Authority to fund the project. At the time, CTUB expected the grant amount would be $10.6 million, based on assurances from the state entities involved in the process. According to information provided prior to the February 11 meeting, the state received more applications than expected for the grant fund, so the amount awarded to CTUB for this project was reduced to $4 million.
During this week’s meeting, CTUB reviewed financial projections that included the reduced grant amount, but noted that while CTUB could analyze its ability to construct and operate the project, any debt issued for the city-owned utility must be authorized by the Charles Town City Council.
A Vote Of Support
Board member John Maxey introduced a motion to support the project, which passed by unanimous vote. The first part of the motion confirmed CTUB’s interest in the project:
“I move that the Charles Town Utility Board reaffirm its prior support for providing water and wastewater services to the Summit Point Motorsports Park project, as previously contemplated under a State-funded structure.”
Questions About Financing
Maxey’s motion also left the door open for other funding options if the City Council declined to issue debt to cover the project investment:
“The Board recognizes that the State grant amount has been materially reduced and that this change alters the financial assumptions underlying the Board’s prior action. As a municipal utility without independent bonding authority, CTUB cannot finance development-related infrastructure and will not support any financing structure that places development-related financial risk on utility ratepayers or City resources. The Board looks forward to working with the Jefferson County Development Authority, the Jefferson County Commission, and other partners to identify a lawful and financially sound structure consistent with these principles.”
The financing question is expected to be on the agenda for the Charles Town City Council meeting on Monday, February 16. The Jefferson County Development Authority has the project on its meeting agenda for February 17. According to information provided during the CTUB meeting, the state has set a deadline of February 18 for accepting the $4 million grant.
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Shepherdstown Snapshot – A Periodic Roundup of Town News
Shepherdstown Town Council, February 11
Frosty Fest Skating Rescheduled
In-town ice skating and other Frosty Fest festivities, postponed from late January due to frosty weather, will now take place March 6, 7 and 8. A temporary ice skating rink and related activities will be set up behind the Market House, made possible by the Shepherdstown Rotary Club in coordination with several other community groups and the Shepherdstown Fire Department. The event coincides with the countywide Restaurant Week which runs March 1-8 this year.
Rumsey Monument Park To Bloom This Spring
During the February 11 Town Council meeting, Council Member and Parks and Recreation Committee Chair Cheryl Roberts previewed draft plans for spring plantings and continued improvements at Rumsey Monument Park (image below). Phase 1 renovations are complete, she reported, with results of fall plantings to become visible as warmer weather arrives. To pay for Phase 1, the Town Council accepted a $49,000 donation from Hank Walter, who has also committed to funding future improvements including two new parking spaces, a pad for a future bike rack, a rain garden, and restoration of a pad for the park's C&O Canal historical marker, which was vandalized and removed years ago. A formal proposal for the additional improvements and the associated donation will come before the Council in March.
Rumsey Park landscaping concept plan
Path to Morgan's Grove Has a New Finish Line
After nearly two decades of planning, the pedestrian and bicycle path connecting downtown Shepherdstown to Morgan's Grove Park along Route 480 has a new completion date. Mayor James Gatz reported that the Deputy Secretary of the West Virginia Division of Highways committed on February 10 to finishing the project by November 2026, with construction underway over the summer. The half-mile path was originally slated for construction in 2017.
Annexation Petition Advances, To Be Studied
As part of its February meeting, the Town Council held a public hearing on a petition to annex approximately 4.7 acres on River Road formerly owned by George Kalathas. One town resident urged the Council to carefully weigh the costs and benefits before approving; two neighbors of the property who live outside town limits also raised concerns about future development. Following the hearing, the Council voted unanimously to approve the first reading of an annexation ordinance but agreed that additional research — including review of the Town's Planned Unit Development ordinance — should occur before scheduling a second reading. No timeline has been set.
Snow Emergency Exposes Equipment Gaps
Mayor Gatz distributed to the Town Council a list of water main and equipment failures during the recent snow and ice storm. He noted that the breakdowns reflect years of deferred maintenance and will factor into budget discussions for the next fiscal year (which starts July 1). Despite the challenges, Gatz praised town employees for their response to the recent weather challenges.
Other Town Updates
The Town Council has approved new financial management software that will allow Shepherdstown utility customers to pay online without fees and access billing history — a 15-month implementation process begins now.
At the fiscal year's midpoint, the Town reports a $306,000 operating surplus, with revenues tracking ahead of budget.
The Police Department is back to its full complement of six officers, including one officer who returned after briefly leaving for another position.
Town Council and mayoral elections are scheduled for June 2.
Shepherd University Search for New President Advances
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Developer Asks For Changes In Huntfield, City Says No
Huntfield Master Plan (updated 2024)
The developer of the Huntfield community in Charles Town left empty-handed from the Planning Commission meeting on February 10.
DR Acquisitions, a subsidiary of DRB Group (formerly Dan Ryan Builders), came into the meeting with a request to modify the current Huntfield master plan to allow townhouse units to be built in place of single family homes in two neighborhoods in the core area of the community.
The members of the city’s Planning Commission heard from several residents of the community, all of whom cited parking congestion as their primary concern for not allowing the increased density in the core area of the community. That concern was echoed in all of the written comments that were submitted to the commission as well.
The Planning Commission acknowledged the community concerns and also noted that the City and the developer had come to an agreement in 2024 to significantly modify the master plan from its original design (see below). Several members of the commission questioned why the developer was coming back so soon to ask for changes and voted unanimously to deny the developers request.
A Brief History of Huntfield
The City of Charles Town approved the master plan for the Huntfield community in April 2005. That plan called for a central commercial district surrounded by 3,200 residential units on 998 acres. The breakdown of the residents were
1,283 Single-family homes
692 Townhomes
381 Multi-family units
800 Age-restricted single family homes
44 Live/Work units
There were approximately 140 homes built in the community by the time Greenvest, a Virginia-based developer, suspended its investment in the project after the 2007-2008 recession
In June of 2021, the DR Acquisitions subsidiary of DRB Group bought the rights to the project. DRB initially sought to change the design parameters of the community from “neo-traditional” housing with rear-loading garages to a more suburban style layout with front-load garages. The company spent 3 years negotiating with the City of Charles Town, ultimately signing a modified master plan agreement in August 2024 that kept the core of the community under the “neo-traditional” design guidelines and allowed for the more suburban style housing around the perimeter of the development.
According to the county land records, approximately 20% of the planned housing units are built as of January 2026, with roughly 60% of those built as single family units and 40% as townhouse units. The developer has not submitted plans for any of the commercial development, but does say that the pool and clubhouse amenities will be completed by the summer of 2026.
A message from the Shepherdstown Opera House
We’ve added two more shows of "You Got Gold" this weekend (our first 4 showings sold out). Info and tickets at OperaHouseLive.com.
QUICK UPDATES...
Ranson expands — Todd Wilt, the City Manager of Ranson, presented an annexation request for the Briar Run subdivision to the Jefferson County Commission on February 5 for approval. The Ranson City Council had previously voted on December 16 to accept a petition for annexation from the residents of the Briar Run subdivision located between Flowing Springs Road and Oak Lee Drive. The annexation petition signed by a majority of the subdivision’s residents was certified last fall and the Council held a public hearing before taking the final vote during its December 16 meeting. The annexed area is within the Ranson Urban Growth Boundary previously established by the County Commission, so the County Commission was required to approve the annexation.
Secretary of State refuses request to release voter information — Kris Warner, West Virginia’s Secretary of State issued a statement on February 11 that his office will not release personally identifying information of West Virginia voters to the U.S. Department of Justice. According to the Secretary of State’s statement, the Department of Justice has sent requests to all 50 states asking for Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and other identifying information about registered voters. You can reat the Secretary’s statement here.
Commuter notes — The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors will be awarding a contract to begin construction on a new intersection at Route 7 and Route 690 (Hillsboro Road) according to a February 10 report by LoudounNow.com. According to documents posted on the Loudoun County website, the project will include entrance/exit ramps for both east and west bound Route 7 with traffic circles on Route 690 on either side of Route 7.
Upcoming Meetings
Feb 18 (Wed, 5:30): Open House: Planning A New Park Near Shepherdstown. The Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Commission will present draft plans for a Jefferson County Park that will be located on the campus of the new Shepherdstown Elementary School. After the presentation, there will be break-out sessions where attendees can discuss the concept plan and provide written comments. The open house will be held at the Parks and Recreation building in Sam Michael’s Park (235 Sam Michael’s Lane, Shenandoah Junction).
Highlights of upcoming events around Jefferson County:
Arsenic and Old Lace — The classic dark comedy presented by the Old Opera House over a two-week run. Old Opera House, 204 North George St, Charles Town. Friday–Sunday, Feb 13–15. $ Tickets & Info…
You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine — Recently-released film of a tribute concert celebrating the music and legacy of singer-songwriter John Prine. Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 West German St, Shepherdstown. Friday, Feb 13, 7 pm and Saturday, Feb 14, 3 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Musical: Next to Normal — A production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical exploring mental health and family dynamics. Frank Center Auditorium, 260 University Drive, Shepherdstown. Friday, Feb 13 - Sunday, Feb 15, times vary. $ Tickets & Info…
Lord Dunmore's War — A discussion with Christopher Rizer, Director of Main Street Point Pleasant, examining the 1774 conflict on the Virginia frontier. Byrd Center Auditorium, 213 North King St, Shepherdstown. Friday, Feb 13, 6 - 7:30 pm. Free. Info…
Concert: Voices of the Past — The Maryland Symphony Orchestra performs works by Dvořák, Perkinson, Ballard and Haydn. Maryland Theatre, 21 South Potomac St, Hagerstown, MD. Saturday, Feb 14, 7:30 pm and Sunday, Feb 15, 3 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Shepherdstown Farmers Market — Winter farmers market featuring local produce, baked goods and handmade goods. Indoors at the War Memorial Building, 102 East German St, Shepherdstown. Sunday, Feb 15, 10 am - 1 pm. Free. Info…
Spinning & Weaving Demonstration — A demonstration of traditional spinning and weaving techniques. Brunswick Branch Library, 915 North Maple Ave, Brunswick, MD. Sunday, Feb 15, 2 - 4 pm. Free. Info…
Pool Roll Session for Kayakers — An indoor pool session for kayakers to practice rolling techniques organized by Mason Dixon Canoe Cruisers. Shepherd University Wellness Center, 164 University Drive, Shepherdstown. Sunday, Feb 15, 4 - 6 pm. Free. Info…
Music Major for a Day — The Shepherd University School of Music invites high school juniors, seniors and transfer students to attend classes, meet faculty and students, and explore campus during a daylong visit experience. Frank Arts Center, Shipley Recital Hall, 260 University Dr., Shepherdstown. Monday, Feb 16, 8 am - 3 pm. Free.Info…
Jazz Piano Trio — A concert featuring the Robert Sykes Piano Trio. Frank Arts Center, Shipley Recital Hall, 260 University Drive, Shepherdstown. Tuesday, Feb 17, 7:30 pm. Free. Info…
Taxes for Farmers Workshop — An informational workshop covering tax considerations for farmers. Shepherd University Farm, 482 Billmyer Rd, Shepherdstown. Wednesday, Feb 18, 5:30 - 7 pm. Free. Info…
Martinsburg Public Library: Ribbon Cutting — A ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the re-opening of the Martinsburg Public Library after extensive renovation. 101 West King St, Martinsburg. Thursday, Feb 19, 11 am - 1 pm. Free. Info…
STEM Program: Marshmallow Tower Building Contest — A STEM program for ages 6-12 featuring a marshmallow tower building contest. Charles Town Library, 200 East Washington St, Charles Town. Thursday, Feb 19, 6 pm. Ages 6-12. Free. Info…
Ongoing
Firehouse Gallery Y"ART" Sale — A multi-day gallery sale featuring affordable artwork and gifts. Firehouse Gallery, 108 North George St, Charles Town. Thursday, Feb 12–Sunday, Feb 22. Free. Info…
Phaze 2 Gallery: ToUgH sHaPes Opening Reception — Exhibit explores geometric form and perception. Phaze 2 Gallery, Shepherd University, 92 West Campus Drive, Shepherdstown. Gallery is open 4-7 pm M-F. Free. Info…
Diana Suttenfield Art Exhibition – A new exhibition of Diana Suttenfield’s work at The Bridge Gallery, 8566 Shepherdstown Pike, Shepherdstown. Exhibit runs until Feb 28. Free.Info…
Art Exhibit: The Audacity of the Mundane — Photography by Charlee Brodsky. Shepherdstown Public Library, 145 Higbee Ln, Shepherdstown. Tuesday, Feb 3–Tuesday, Mar 31. Free. Info…
St. Isidore Market — Community market offering locally produced food and goods. St. James Church, 49 Crosswinds Dr, Charles Town. Thursdays, 5:00 - 6:30 pm. Free. Info…
Spotlight — Rossy’s Place Finds A Home In Charlestown
The “lunch counter” at Needful Things Emporium in downtown Charlestown (216 West Washington St) is open for business again as Rossy’s Place.
Rossy Vallejo and Francis Olivares opened their original Rossy’s location in Ranson on Flowing Springs Road several years ago, then switched to a food truck model for the past couple of years.
Rossy’s Place in Charles Town will be celebrating its “official” opening this weekend. Regular hours will be 8 am to 8 pm Tuesday through Sunday. You can find links for Rossy’s menu on Facebook.
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.
