WELLSBURG -- Efforts to remove, repair or clean up dilapidated structures and property filled with trash were discussed Tuesday by the Brooke County Commission.
Brooke County Sheriff Larry Palmer said in years past a sheriff's deputy was charged with investigating illegal salvage yards on properties in the county outside the city, and such efforts will be revived in the near future.
Kenny Fletcher, a Wellsburg resident, asked if action can be taken against an illegal dump site in the city.
Palmer said state code prohibits such sites and action has been and can be taken by city police.
State code Chapter 17, Article 23, identifies a salvage yard as "any place which is maintained, operated or used for the storing, keeping, buying, selling or processing of salvage, or for the operation and maintenance of a motor vehicle graveyard." But it also identifies salvage as "old or scrap brass, copper, iron, steel, other ferrous or nonferrous materials, batteries or rubber and any junked, dismantled or wrecked machinery, machines or motor vehicles or any parts of any junked, dismantled or wrecked machinery, machines or motor vehicles."
The code requires a permit and $200 fee for the operation of salvage yards and establishes fences and other conditions for such locations. Owners of property found to have illegal salvage yards may be fined $100 to $1,000 for each month they continue to exist.
In related business, Palmer thanked Anthony "Butch" Rotellini and Frank Lucero for their efforts as part-time investigators of dilapidated structures and illegal dumping in the county.
Rotellini said since such efforts were begun several years ago under the direction of Richard Ferguson, more than 100 properties, with deteriorating buildings or piles of trash, have been addressed.
A county ordinance against dilapidated structures gives the owners 30 days to repair or remove them. After that, they may be fined $100 per day. If the owner fails to act, the county may condemn a structure, order its demolition and place a lien on the property so if it is ever sold, the commission may recoup the costs for demolition.
Rotellini said so far property owners have cooperated and the commission hasn't needed to pursue condemnation.
In other business, County Commissioner Stacey Wise said a car cruise benefiting the Make A Wish Foundation and planned for last weekend was postponed because of rain and will be moved to June 22. Sponsored by the Ohio Valley Mopar Club and the commissioners, it will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. outside the Dollar General Market at state Route 2 and Cross Creek Road. The commissioners are involved in the fundraiser as individuals, with Commissioner Jim Andreozzi planning to serve Italian sausage and meatball sandwiches.
The commission also reappointed Brian Taylor to the Washington Pike Public Service District board and Wise to the Northern Panhandle H.O.M.E. Consortium, which oversees the first-time homebuyers program. It will accept letters of interest, through the county clerk's office, in two others seats on the consortium and one seat each on the West Virginia Route 2 and Interstate 68 Authority and Healthways Inc. board. Applicants may include individuals who currently serve on the board.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)