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FOLLANSBEE -- Follansbee Council made no decision, Monday, on whether to reopen the city's swimming pool but approved the hiring of 15 part-time summer workers and three supervisors.
Mayor David Velegol Jr. said he awaits a ruling from Gov. Jim Justice on public pools among the various orders he's issued in an attempt to gradually reopen public and private enterprises in the state.
Velegol said until then the city's park supervisors -- Gus DiMarzio, Paul Julio and Frank Sisinni -- will prepare for the pool's opening while overseeing five summer workers in grass cutting and other maintenance of Follansbee Park and the 10 others in tasks at the city's other parks as well as streets and sidewalks.
Last week the mayor expressed concern about excessive hours among the seasonal workers, some of which had worked into the fall preparing Follansbee Park for the Christmas in the Park festival.
City Manager John DeStefano confirmed some staff were paid for overtime though it was rare.
Velegol said the budget for summer help has been reduced from $55,000 to $27,300 to reflect a desire to curtail expenses.
He added year-round city crews will be involved in cutting grass and other preparations for Christmas in the Park.
In other business:
¯ DeStefano reported plexiglass shields are being installed at the front counter of the Follansbee City Building to deter the spread of COVID-19 between clerks and the public alike.
Council approved up to $2,000 for the shields as well as panic buttons for the clerks to use in the event of an emergency that also are being installed this week.
¯ Velegol said a banner above state Route 2 congratulating the Brooke High School Class of 2020 was co-sponsored by the city and the Follansbee McDonald's, which is owned by Twila Mezan.
He said the banner, which bears the names of all of the graduates on one side, has been well received by residents.
It joins another banner recognizing emergency responders and all front-line workers the city hung above the street recently.
¯ DeStefano noted the city is part of a friendly rivalry spurred by officials with the U.S. Census Bureau to encourage residents to complete the Census survey.
In what has been dubbed the Big 12 2020 Census Challenge, Census officials have posted the percentage of residents of 12 Northern Panhandle municipalities who have completed the Census.
The contest involves Glen Dale, Wellsburg, Weirton, Wheeling, Moundsville, Follansbee, Chester, Benwood, McMechen, Cameron, New Cumberland and Beech Bottom.
Results have been posted on the City of Weirton Facebook page among other places, and the cities of Weirton, Follansbee and Wellsburg have placed in the top four in recent days.
County and city officials have encouraged residents to participate in the Census because results are used to determine federal funds returned to local communities for various programs and projects.
In addition to returning Census questionnaires by mail, residents may complete the survey online at https://2020census.gov or by phone by dialing (844) 330-2020 if they speak English. Other numbers are available for those who speak other languages.