Commission Adopts Pine Grove Flood Plain Ordinance
During its regular July 10 meeting, the Wetzel County Commission met with Rhonda Spencer, recorder for Pine Grove, regarding a flood plain ordinance. After reviewing the ordinance, the commissioners passed a motion to accept the ordinance and sign the documents accordingly.
Spencer also spoke with the commission regarding the Phase III sewer project that is supposed to go into Pine Grove. However, in order to go through with Phase III, there must be a sewer rate increase. Council denied a rate increase at a previous meeting, so there are some questions surrounding the project. The commission had previously donated $139,000 toward Phase III, so they would have to be reimbursed should Phase III not occur. More information will be known after the next Pine Grove city council meeting.
Spencer also brought forth a wish list of items from Mayor Richard Price. Items included a 10 horsepower sewer pit pump, three grinder pit pumps, battery powered cleaning pump, CL17 chlorine analyzer, 60-inch commercial mower, four – four horsepower pumps, rebuilding old pumps for backup, a police cruiser, handheld radios, and hot patch for asphalt repairs – all totaling $94,846. The commission discovered there had been no formal motion made by council in support of the letter, so the commission deferred the letter of request until a later date.
The commission also met with President Joan Billiter, of the Paden City Senior Citizens, who requested $10,000 for the purpose of rewiring the senior center. Billiter explained the wiring in the building is very old, so much that the center still uses the old fuse style of electric box. Billiter also explained the building recently received new windows and a new heating system installed. Another reason to get the building rewired is to make sure the new heater works at an optimal level. Therefore, the commission passed a motion granting $10,000 to the Paden City Senior Center.
Sherri Huggins of the Wileyville VFD spoke with the commission to request funding toward a new fire truck. Wileyville is currently running a 1983 model truck. Wileyville has purchased a new 2,100 gallon tanker truck for approximately $250,000, because if they waited, it would cost even more. Wileyville also looked into trading in the older model vehicle, but with the age of the vehicle, no companies were willing to trade-in. It may be possible to sell the old model truck as a novelty item. The commission decided to donate $100,000 to the Wileyville VFD.
Kristi Early, of Friends of the Pine Grove Park, spoke with commission concerning the possibility of building a new restroom facility and concession stand at the park. Early explained the old restrooms were easily flooded, so the new facility would be built further uphill to prevent future flooding. The park had recently been using portable restrooms, but kids were having trouble changing clothes to prepare for sports. Early presented a couple of estimates to the commission, the lowest being around $69,765. The commission suggested Early speak with the board of education to request funding as well. After some discussion, the commission agreed to pay half the costs of the facility upon the agreement the BOE is willing to also pay half. Early is to meet with the BOE to request funding.
The next Wetzel County Commission meeting will be held on July 24 beginning at 9:30 a.m. and located at the commission office on Main Street in New Martinsville.