Fountain, veterans’ banners discussed in Follansbee
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FOLLANSBEE -- Though they again met in the Follansbee Community House so they could practice social distancing, city officials were looking to the future, including plans for new veterans banners and a new fountain for American Legion Post 45 they hope to unveil around Memorial Day.
Mayor David Velegol Jr. noted the city's first banners honoring local veterans were slated to fly above Main Street for two years and that time period has ended.
Velegol said beginning Feb. 1, others will be given the opportunity to sponsor banners in honor or memory of a Follansbee resident who served in the military.
The cost is about $70 for each for the banners, which bear the veterans' names and photos. Plans call for applications for them to be made available at the City Building at that time.
The mayor said how many of the original 68 banners will come down depends on the number of new banners requested. He noted the city announced the flags would be given to their sponsors when not in use, adding those who would like to have them now may contact the city at (304) 527-1330.
Otherwise, which banners are lowered may be determined through a random drawing, Velegol said.
He said as in 2018, there will be an informal ceremony in which veterans and their families can see the banners up close and be photographed with them before they are flown above the city.
While the first ceremony was held on Veterans Day, plans call for the next one to be held during Memorial Day weekend on May 27.
Velegol said there also are plans on Memorial Day to unveil a new fountain at the center of the Cross Creek War Memorial just outside the Post 45 headquarters.
He said after meeting with Tom Mirabella and Bill Haught, two leaders of the post, a design for it has been chosen.
Velegol said the two-tiered fountain will be lighted at the base and topped with a bronze depiction of the helmet, rifle and combat boots that comprise the military grave marker known by many as the Fallen Soldier or Battlefield Cross.
Council has approved up to $10,000 for the project, which also may include the replacement of grass at the memorial with artificial turf.
In other business, Velegol advised council designs for the planned expansion of the city's fire station have been submitted for approval by the state fire marshal's office.
Plans call for the building to be extended south onto an adjacent lot owned by the city to accommodate the creation of larger bays for the department's vehicles, rooms for the repair and storage of equipment, a fitness room for city employees and a 720 square foot meeting room.
Velegol said Joe Edmiston, a grant writer hired by the city last year, will seek funds to supplement revenue from a 1 percent sales tax approved in 2017.
The current council then agreed to allocate $50,000 generated by the tax each year for the project, with other funds from it to be used for paving and other expenses.
On Monday council also acknowledged the recent death of Lorraine Paesano, who supported her husband, Tony, in roles that included mayor, president of the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce and founder and president of the Brooke County Schools Education Foundation.
Velegol noted Paesano has been known for acknowledging citizens for making a difference in the community and said Lorraine, in her own way, also made a difference.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)