Paden City maintenance superintendent Josh Billiter addressed the council about long standing issues facing the city and stated that the time has come to make serious work project determinations. Billiter said the Public Service Commission is requiring the city to have a plan in place by 2027 to remove PFAS (groundwater contaminates) from the city water supply. Failing to do so by 2029 could result in the city water department being taken over by the state or another company. .

Billiter said he believes the PSC wants to eventually have only seven water systems in the entire state. He informed council members that PFAS can be removed with a carbon filter or by reverse-osmosis, however both processes are expensive and need planning. Billiter said the money is there and the town needs to get moving and make the repairs.

He went on to say the city water supply lines are in need of attention, estimating there are 52 water lines that are cast iron and those are the cause of the brown water customers are complaining He said there is about 30,000 feet of lines that need to be replaced at a cost of $65 per foot or $1.9 million dollars. He again brought up the need for water meters which he said would cost another $1.5 million dollars. He said his intent was to make council members aware that since 1960 the city has “kicked the can down the road” and the end of the road is coming soon and the council needs to make some tough decisions. Billiter said he would like for the city to spend $600 per month on PFAS testing.

“Everybody deserves clean, safe drinking water,” stated Billiter. Council members had little or no response to his evaluation of Paden City’s water and its future.

PFAS and PFOS are synthetic chemicals that have been widely used in various products. They have been found to contaminate drinking water and can remain in the environment for thousands of years.

Mayor Clyde Hochstrasser presiding over the meeting asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the February regular and special meetings. With all council members present and accounted for the motion received unanimous vote of approval.

Hochstrasser said homes in the community should have house numbers four inches in size to help identify them in case of emergencies.. He also told about a citizen from Sistersville who stopped him and to give the town thanks for the help of the Paden City Fire Department in responding to a fire in Sistersville.

Several citizens voiced complaints to council with Lloyd “Bird” Lewis stating he believed the city was only enforcing the abandoned vehicle ordinance in his area of town. Police Chief Anthony Lauer assured the man that the department is trying to enforce the ordinance equally. Another citizen said her daughter’s car had been tagged then impounded all in a 24 hour period. She questioned why and was told that her car had no license and was parked over a shut-off valve and the city needed to have access to valves to perform maintenance work. She responded he should have informed her before towing the vehicle.

A citizen complained that the new construction site of the Dollar Store on Route 2 should have some type of security fence around the area. Mayor Hochstrasser dismissed the complaint.

Council was advised by B.B. Smith of the PC Labor Day Committee that plans are in the works for this year’s Labor Day Celebration.

Under city finances the Mayor asked for approval to pay February bills. Council gave unanimous approval.

Water, Street and Maintenance Superintendent reported that Thrasher Engineering will present reports on city projects at the April council meeting.

Hochstrasser requested the city hire an additional city maintenance worker. After a brief discussion of options about hiring, Hochstrasser called for a vote. A motion was made and seconded and council voted 5 to 1 with Councilwoman Linda Duke voting against the motion.

The council discussed a request from Justin Dennis to close the alley alongside his property. City attorney Carolyn Flannery explained, there is a legal procedure that must be followed to close the alley. She stated that she could assist Mr.Dennis in preparing the application.

A request to allow Josh Billiter to purchase a light bar for the city’s new truck was unanimously approved by Council.

Council Person Linda Duke said many of the town street signs need to be straightened and reset. She said this issue has been an ongoing issue and the maintenance department has not responded to correct this issue. She also said street curbs need to be painted. Hochstrasser responded that this summer the WV WorkForce Program may have employees who can help with the project. Duke said what if the program does not have workers.

Josh Billiter said that bids would go out for the Broadway Street storm sewer project work in the next two weeks.

Police Chief Lauer asked the council for permission to take applications for a new officer. His request was approved.

Fire burning season begins April 1 and was approved by the council.

Discussion was held concerning the town swimming pool. It was stated the pool is 60 years old and needs many repairs. Mayor Hochstrasser announced last month that the pool wouldn’t open due to needed repairs. Billiter stated the only time kids use the pool is when it’s free.

Rodney McWilliams spoke to the fact the park and pool committee has been given money from the Paden City Foundation and the foundation is willing to help with raising community support. McWilliams said the foundation gives the park and pool a check every year, yet they’re never informed of the needs. He said it seems like the “optics is that nothing is being done, there is no rush”. He added it was evident that the different areas of the city government are not communicating to help solve the town’s problems.

Josh Billiter spoke about the efforts and the cost of making repairs to the pool. He stated with only five employees in his department, it would be difficult to complete the work needed to open the pool. He pointed out that in town there are eighty-seven backyard pools. One community member felt that number was not factual.

Under unfinished business, the topic of PEIA insurance and its increasing cost was discussed by the council members. Hochstrasser explained that the city has contacted two brokers hoping to find a less expensive employee insurance plan. Currently the city pays $12,000 a month for coverage.

Under new business; the current city recorder Sheila Erwin will be retiring at the end of the year. She requested the council’s permission to post in a legal ad, for applications to fill her position. She explained that her replacement needed to be on board as soon as possible to learn the various parts of the job that come into play at various times of the year. Council unanimously approved her request.

The council has set the annual budget meeting to be held on March 13 at 6:00pm. They also set April 15, 2025, as the Lay the Levy date.

Meeting adjourned. The next regular council meeting will be Monday April 7, at 7 pm.