Weirton board trying to get resolution on tower project
By CRAIG HOWELL, City editor
POSTED: August 19, 2008
The Weirton Area Water Board is trying to find some resolution with what members say has become an issue in completing the construction of the new Bellview water tank in the city.
Weirton Utilities Director Butch Mastrantoni explained the board continues to face problems with the installation of a garage door at the tank site.
Board members explained the seal has yet to be completed for the garage door, which is causing higher heating costs to the board because of cool air getting into the area. Mastrantoni said this is expected to cause additional problems in the winter.
“There’s still no resolution,” Mastrantoni said.
It was stated, numerous calls have been placed to the contractor for the garage door portion of the tower project; however, nothing has been done.
Mastrantoni said he would like to give the contractor another month to finish the work, and if there still is no resolution by September, he would like to contact a local contractor to install a new garage door at the tower.
“We’re going to be approaching the winter months,” Mastrantoni said, explaining as it gets colder it may be more difficult to get the work completed as well as leading to higher heating costs.
In a related matter, it was stated Verizon currently is on site to install communications equipment for its cellular service. However, there have been some setbacks in scheduling and installation.
“They’re a little behind schedule,” Chief Operator Rocky Bragg said.
Bragg said, however, Verizon has agreed to pay the board an additional $1,000 per week in order to bring a vehicle on site, which will operate the company’s equipment until it can get its building completed.
Verizon also has agreed to add some trees to the area and perform a portion of the maintenance.
Board member Dale Moore asked if there had been any more complaints from nearby residents about the lighting from the water tower.
Mastrantoni said he had met with one resident two months ago and discussed some options, but has not heard back from anyone since. Mastrantoni added some of the lights also had been repositioned since then.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)
