×

Annexation in Follansbee nearly finished

WELLSBURG — Follansbee’s annexation of Par 3 Drive is nearly complete, with the Brooke County Commission slated to accept public comment next week on the incorporation of about 13.7 acres of the street.

On Tuesday the commissioners were reminded they will preside over a public hearing Tuesday on the annexation, which is expected to bring all of Highland Hills into the city’s borders.

The hearing will be held at 11 a.m. as part of the commission’s regular meeting, which will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Several years ago Follansbee officials began pursuing annexation, by minor boundary adjustment, of homes and lots on the street, which once was occupied by a golf course built by Mott Contracting, which developed Highland Hills.

Though the subdivision was annexed by the city in 1975, Mott chose not to seek the golf course’s incorporation.

Following the death of Mott Contracting head Stanley Mott in 2001, the golf course closed and the property was developed by Lombardi Development and P&K Development.

Surrounded by the incorporated areas of Highland Hills, residents there have received water, wastewater treatment and other city services, including garbage collection and at times, snow plowing.

In other business, Ruby Greathouse, volunteer curator of the Brooke County Museum and Cultural Center, said the museum will be closed for the next two months while volunteers work to clean the second floor of the building.

Greathouse said visits by appointment may be arranged by calling (304) 737-4060.

Following the meeting, Greathouse said she and other museum board members hope to create additional displays on the floor.

She said the board is awaiting a replacement part for the building’s elevator. After an estimated 76 years in use, the part is deteriorating and must be replaced, at a cost of about $11,000, so the elevator can be approved for use by people.

For now, museum volunteers are using it to transport materials upstairs while taking the stairs themselves.

Greathouse said the museum continues to seek mannequins on which to display vintage military uniforms.

The museum moved into the former G.C. Murphy Department Store building at 704 Charles St. in 2013 after receiving a $90,000 grant from the state Division of Culture and History to purchase it.

In related business, Greathouse said students in James Haizlett’s graphic design course at West Liberty University will be designing brochures to promote the museum, which contains a wide variety of locally produced glass items and assorted antiques reflecting work, home, school, military service and other aspects of life over the last 200 years in Brooke County.

In other business:

¯ County Clerk Sylvia Benzo advised a canvass of ballots, including about 50 provisional ballots, from the recent election resulted in no changes in its outcomes.

¯ The commission reappointed David McGowan to the Hammond Public Service District.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)

 

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today