Harpers Ferry News and Updates

Harpers Ferry held its municipal elections for Mayor, Recorder, and five Councilmembers on Tuesday, 8 June 2021. The following unofficial results were tabulated by the counting board (successful candidates' names are marked with an asterisk):

For MAYOR

• Greg Vaughn* – 74 votes

For RECORDER

• Kevin Carden* – 69 votes

For COUNCILMEMBER

• David Simmons – 45 votes
• Laurel Drake* – 63 votes
• Zachary Morse – 58 votes
• Chris Craig* – 64 votes
• Greg "Storm" DiCostanzo* – 74 votes
• Christian Pechuekonis* – 71 votes
• Jim Jenkins* – 65 votes

The Board of Canvassers will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, 14 June 2021 to determine the eligibility of provisional ballots and certify the results of the elections.

To maintain social distancing recommendations, in-person seating for the Board of Canvassers meeting will be limited to invited attendees only (Board members, candidates, the Zoom Webinar administrator, and a representative from the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office). The meeting will be live-streamed for viewing by the general public on the Corporation of Harpers Ferry’s YouTube channel.

Opportunity for a Bolivar resident to serve on the Harpers Ferry Water Commission

The Corporation of Harpers Ferry has opened a seat on the Harpers Ferry Water Commission for a representative from Bolivar to serve on the Water Commission. Click here for further information.

Virtual meetings information

Until further notice, the Corporation of Harpers Ferry will hold meetings virtually via Zoom Webinar, which provides for public participation during public comment portions of a given meeting’s agenda. Alternatively, they may watch via YouTube video live-stream or listen by telephone. Click here for more information.

Advice for Visitors to Harpers Ferry

Harpers Ferry welcomes visitors to our tiny, historic, amazing town. Please remember that Harpers Ferry is a real town with families, senior citizens, children and pets who hope that the multitude of people who come to experience our history and beautiful scenery will respect the property, health and safety of our residents.

To ensure that your visit is pleasant and successful, please consider the following information:

Parking

The National Park Service has opened its large parking lot at Cavalier Heights but offers no bus service into town at this time. If you park there you will have to walk about 2 miles to get to town. If you wish to park in Harpers Ferry, you need to download the ParkMobile app to your phone. Paid parking is available on Washington Street in upper town Harpers Ferry, and along Potomac street in lower town. Some visitors may have difficulty getting a wi-fi signal at first, so try moving slightly away from your parking spot. If you can’t get a signal and don’t want a parking citation, you should consider finding a different place to park. Do not block driveways, mailboxes, or fire hydrants. Parking is not allowed in the residential side streets or the streets that parallel the main street through town. Heed the “Residential Parking Only” signs if you do not want a parking citation.

Trash

The National Park Service has adopted a “Leave No Trace” policy, which means that visitors must be prepared to dispose of their trash by carrying it out of the park when leaving. There are no trash or recycling receptacles on Park property. If you accidently drop something on the ground, please be considerate and pick it up. Facemasks can easily fall out of your pocket and they are especially unsafe for other people to have to pick up. A limited number of trash receptacles are found along the commercial side of Potomac Street that are maintained by the town.

Sanitary facilities

The National Park Service has reopened its public restrooms along Shenandoah Street. Public restrooms at the train station remain closed. Please do not relieve yourselves in the woods or on private property or in backyards. Not only is it illegal, but it is a serious health and safety concern for visitors and residents alike.

We hope you enjoy your visit to Harpers Ferry.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park operational changes to prevent the spread of COVID-19

In response to guidance from the CDC and the U.S. Public Health Service, the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park has modified its operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. All facilities are currently open except the Harpers Ferry Visitor Center. For more information, please see the Park's Current Conditions webpage.

Notice of vacancies on boards of Town government

The Corporation of Harpers Ferry is actively seeking volunteers to serve on the following boards of the Town government:

• Board of Zoning Appeals (two alternate vacancies)
• Historic Landmarks Commission (two vacancies)
• Water Commission (two vacancies)
• Parks and Recreation Commission (one vacancy)

Those individuals interested in seeking appointment to any of these commissions should send a letter of interest to the Town Clerk at clerk@harpersferrywv.us.

Information on paid parking in Harpers Ferry

Harpers Ferry has instituted three paid parking zones to improve safety and better regulate the very limited parking within the Corporation. Two of the zones, 7510 and 7520, are on Washington Street (Alt. U.S. 340). The third is on Potomac Street in Lower Town. The cost for parking is $1.00 per hour in Zone 7510, $2.00 per hour in Zone 7520, and $3.00 per hour in Zone 7515. Parking may be purchased in half-hour segments. Payment may be made using the Parkmobile cell phone app. To use Parkmobile, open the app, enter zone number, select amount of time desired, and pay by major credit card or PayPal. Visitors may find it easier to download the app to their cell phones before visiting Harpers Ferry to simplify their parking experience at the following link: http://us.parkmobile.com/mobile-apps.

Paid parking is strictly enforced in all three zones between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Sunday through Saturday. Violators may be fined and /or towed. Parking is free in all paid parking zones after 6:00 p.m. and before 8:00 a.m. Sunday through Saturday.

All sides streets within the Corporation of Harpers Ferry are parking by residential permit only. Violators may be fined and / or towed. Permits for residents and their guests may be purchased at Town Hall.

Harpers Ferry Water Works customers can pay online.  To learn more, click here.

List of businesses licensed in Harpers Ferry

The Corporation maintains a list of operators and companies licensed to perform business in Harpers Ferry. To review the list, click here.