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Wellsburg approves paving, fireworks

WELLSBURG — City Council on Tuesday accepted bids for paving several city streets and the fireworks display for the city’s New Year’s Eve celebration.

City Manager Steve Maguschak said at the city’s request, separate bids were submitted for each street, but the total of those submitted by Kelly Paving of Parkersburg, at $255,068, was less than the total submitted by Cast & Baker of Canonsburg, Pa.,which was $290,565.

He said Kelly Paving expects to complete the paving before winter.

The streets approved by council are Sycamore Street from Highland Avenue to Pleasant Avenue; Beallmore Drive; Caldwell Avenue; Charles Street from Eighth to 13th streets; Franklin Street from Ninth to 11th streets; and 11th Street from Main Street to the lift station.

Two sections of Valley View Drive between the city’s border and Pleasant Avenue were designated as alternatives to be done if funds remain afterward.

First Ward Councilman Dan Dudley and 4th Ward Councilwoman Della Serevicz asked whether basketball courts in their wards could be resurfaced. Dudley said the 1st Ward Playground is in poor condition.

Second Ward Councilwoman Angel Adams, who has led efforts to improve the 4th Ward Park, said though she supports improving city parks, streets should receive first priority in this case.

Maguschak said he will approach the contractor about resurfacing the parks as a separate project.

Council also accepted a lone bid of $3,500 from the American Fireworks Co. for the fireworks display to be launched during the New Year’s Eve party held on the town square.

The event usually includes music, light refreshments and the lowering of a lighted ball onto the square from a flagpole there at midnight.

Also on Tuesday, council:

• Approved the first reading of an amended ordinance establishing conditions for building construction set by the National Flood Plain Insurance Act. City Solicitor Ryan Weld said without the ordinance, the city’s property owners may not receive flood insurance.

• Approved the second reading of an ordinance setting conditions for the construction of any new single family dwellings. They include having a ceiling height no less than 7 feet, 6 inches for corridors, living and dining rooms and other habitable spaces, and no less than 7 feet for kitchens, bathrooms and storage rooms.

In related business, council amended an ordinance for double wide trailers, calling for them to be no less than 24-feet wide and to have permanent utility connections.

• Approved the second reading of an ordinance calling for anyone who violates the city’s health and sanitation code to be fined an additional $500 for each day he or she fails to correct the problem, which may include trash, feces, stagnant water and other conditions that create a health hazard or nuisance.

• Approved was the second reading of an ordinance allowing the city to impound vehicles deemed to be abandoned or junk, illegally parked and creating a hazard or obstruction or related to a crime.

• Tabled an ordinance calling for city cruisers to be black and white when it was noted it didn’t address whether vehicles currently in use should be those colors and disagreement arose over whether the police department should use an unmarked vehicle. City Police Chief Rich Ferguson said uniform markings have been applied to the current vehicles, which vary in color because they were purchased from other police departments. Ferguson said the move was made in response to complaints by some residents that his department should be more visible, but he supports using at least one unmarked vehicle.

• Tabled a proposed ordinance limiting the number of recreational vehicles, trailers and boats that may be parked in front of a residence or in an adjacent lot and how long they may be parked. Both proposed ordinances will be discussed by the ordinance committee at 6 p.m. Sept. 25 at City Hall.

• Approved a resolution supporting the establishment of the West Virginia Home Rule program as permanent. Pending approval by a state board, municipalities in the program may adopt measures not otherwise permitted in the state code. Mayor Sue Simonetti noted the resolution doesn’t commit the city to participation in the program itself. It was requested by Weld, who said as a state senator he’s attempted to pass legislation for the program’s permanence as it has faced legal challenges.

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