Sewer extensions sought, historic figure to be feted in Brooke County

WELLSBURG -- A Colliers man approached the Brooke County Commission Tuesday for help in getting sewer lines extended to about 200 unserved residents along St. John's Road, and the commissioners learned of plans to honor Patrick Gass, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition who settled in Wellsburg.

David Delaney said several years ago he aided the Brooke County Public Service District in securing signatures of support from residents along St. John's Road but, to date, public sewer lines have been installed only for homes on the west side.

Delaney said he was told to serve the others, the district must install three pump stations, a costly endeavor. He asked if about $4.2 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds allocated for the county could be used.

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., has said money awarded to communities may be used "to make investments in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure."

County Commissioner Tim Ennis said the commission hasn't received any funds or guidance about how they may be used.

He said $4.2 million "isn't going to do much infrastructure work" but added federal legislators are working on a large funding package for water and sewer projects.

The area was targeted after a petition by residents of Mahan Lane and Eldersville Road yielded a $9.8 million federal grant secured by former U.S. Rep. Alan Mollohan in 2009.

In addition to the one section of St. John's Road, the grant and state funds were used to extend sewer lines to more than 600 homes and businesses on Eldersville Road, Mahan Lane and adjacent lanes and to Brooke High School and others in the Cross Creek area.

Delaney said while public sewer service will increase the marketability of their homes, some residents are concerned about failing septic systems.

Joy Reese, housing counseling program manager for C.H.A.N.G.E. Inc., said there is financial assistance available for the replacement of septic systems through the West Virginia Housing Development Fund.

Commission President A.J. Thomas told Delaney he understands residents are seeking a long-term solution, adding, "It doesn't hurt to reach out to your senators and representatives."

County Commissioner Stacey Wise said the Brooke County PSD sought a grant available for residents of lower income but was told the average household income there was too high. She said she hopes data collected through the 2020 Census will present a more accurate picture.

Wise said the Brooke County PSD is seeking a low-interest loan from the state's infrastructure council for the project.

The commission also heard from Ruby Greathouse, volunteer curator for the Brooke County Museum, who said there are plans to install a headstone for Patrick Gass near the bust of the Wellsburg resident who participated in the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

The bust of Gass and a display detailing the expedition's stop in the city before their journey can be found at a gazebo overlooking the Ohio River near Main and Eighth streets and the Wellsburg Wharf.

Gass, the first in the expedition to publish a written account of the journey, settled in Wellsburg after serving in the War of 1812, during which he lost an eye.

Greathouse said the headstone, which honors Gass for his military service, came into the hands of a descendant in Washington state, who offered to send it to the museum.

She noted Gass and his wife, Maria, whom he wed at age 60, lived on a farm near Pierce Run Road, where they raised several children. They are buried at Brooke Cemetery, where they have another headstone.

Greathouse said there are plans to mark the unveiling of the new headstone with a program on June 12, the 250th anniversary of Gass' birth. She added that pending COVID-19 restrictions at the time, descendants of Gass and historical re-enactment groups are planning to attend.

The commissioners applauded Greathouse for her efforts.

In other business:

Reese told the commission $305,207 has been allocated for the Northern Panhandle Home Consortium's First-time Homebuyers Program.

The program offers a $10,000 grant to people seeking to purchase a home in Brooke, Hancock, Ohio or Marshall counties.

The grant can be used with most mortgage loan programs and is forgiven after the recipient has lived in the home for five years.

For information about qualifications, call C.H.A.N.G.E. Inc., the program's local administrator, at (304) 797-7733, ext. 1405, or visit www.changeinc.org and click on the community services tab.

¯ The commissioners thanked volunteers who recently collected litter along Archer Hill Road in Follansbee. Thomas said they have received many complaints of trash along roadsides, with illegal dumping occurring in several areas, and ask those responsible to stop.

"We just plead with our residents to take pride in your county. Don't throw something out of your window," he said.

Thomas noted criminal offenders tasked with collecting litter in the past haven't been doing so because of COVID-19 restrictions.