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Water Problems In Paden City

By Staff | Dec 8, 2015

Beverly Gibb and her husband Bob sought answers Monday from Paden City Council about the water problems they endure at their home in Meadow Heights. Sometimes their home has no water pressure, but more recently they’ve had no water.

“We kept hearing (from the city), low pressure, low pressure,” she said. “Well, there is no pressure.”

Beverly Gibb ticked off several dates when her home had no water, sometimes for hours at a time.

“It’s getting to the point now when you’re getting ready for work and boom the water is off,” she said.

She didn’t blame the city’s police or street department for the couple’s water woes, she just wanted answers as to what and when City Hall was going to do to permanently keep the wet stuff flowing.

“We’re taking this very seriously,” Mayor John Hopkins said.

Hopkins announced that Thrasher Engineering of Bridgeport is drafting a proposal to address the low pressure situation in Meadow Heights.

In October, the state’s Public Service Commission inspected water pressure problems associated with Meadow Heights. The PSC reported that the city has the ability to pump more water to that area and recommended increasing water pressure as well infrastructure improvements.

City Hall has been studying two proposals to accomplish this aim. First, run a 6 inch water line from an existing booster station to the affected low pressure area or second, pay for a booster station that would provide better water pressure for more residents. During November’s council meeting, Public Works Superintendent Josh Billiter said the second option would cost more money.

In other business, Tim Shreve, interim police chief, said there are six potential applicants for two vacancies within the department, who have taken physical fitness tests. The applicants passed the physical fitness portion of the application process, so they can now move onto the interview phase among other aspects of the selection process.

Council will hold a special meeting at 4 p.m. Friday to potentially hire a police officer(s).

On a related note with regards to the police department, police advise people to aware of holiday scams. Someone has been calling residents saying they owe back taxes and, unless they pay, the police will issue an arrest warrant. Shreve advises people to avoid getting ripped off by these scams and to report any incidents to the police department.

Speaking of holidays, council opted not to have a staff holiday party, but gave the city’s 17 employees a total of $2,015 in holiday bonuses. Thirteen full-time workers will receive $135 each about $100 after taxes and four part-time employees will receive $65 each about $50 after taxes.

And council approved plans to purchase two old police cruisers so as to salvage parts for the department’s needs. Council accepted an $1,800 bid from Speedys Auto Body Shop of Paden City for painting and body work for a police cruiser.

In other business, council:

  • Tabled a motion that would have provided Park and Pool Commission with $2,000.
  • Discussed possibly removing a tree on Fifth Avenue between Elliott and the Yoho property. Council is uncertain as to who owns the property where the tree is located.