Personnel hiring procedures debated in meeting of Wellsburg Council

WELLSBURG -- Criteria for the hiring of city police officers and the city clerk were among matters before Wellsburg Council on Tuesday.

Mary Blum, a member of the city's Civil Service Commission, asked council to raise the passing score for applicants for police positions from 50 percent to 65 percent.

The score for the Civil Service test had been lowered from 65 percent in recent years in an effort to draw more applicants, but Blum said the higher score helps to ensure better quality candidates.

Second Ward Councilwoman Mary Margaret Rosso disagreed, saying, "Testing doesn't define your job capability in my opinion."

"There are people who couldn't get the (West Virginia) Promise Scholarship who are in law school," she said, alluding to a state scholarship program that requires recipients to have attained a 21 composite score on the American College Testing exam and a 1080 composite score on the SAT.

First Ward Councilman Jack Kins, a long-time member of the city's fire department, said it has included very capable volunteer firefighters who might not have passed the Civil Service exam.

Fourth Ward Councilman Charlie Harris said while he doesn't want the city "to set the bar too low," some flexibility is needed to ensure Wellsburg has enough officers.

City Police Chief Mike Allman said of applicants for positions in his department in recent months, about half attained a 65 percent score.

City Manager Steve Maguschak suggested revisiting its hiring practices, noting the standard passing score through most of the state is 70 percent.

Following the meeting, he said the city pays about $600 for testing materials used each time it's administered.

Developed by the International Public Management Association for Human Resources, the test includes 100 questions with multiple choice answers.

It's said to measure applicants' ability to learn and apply information, observe and remember details and follow directions and their judgment and problem-solving and verbal skills.

Following hiring, new officers must undergo 16 weeks of law enforcement training through the West Virginia State Police Academy or newly established Fairmont State University Police Training Academy.

Council voted down Blum's suggestion, with Harris and 3rd Ward Councilman Randy Fletcher supporting it. Voting against were Kins, Rosso, 1st Ward Councilman Jerry Nichols, 2nd Ward Councilman Scott Caldwell and 4th Ward Councilman Fred Marino.

Fourth Ward Councilman Tom Gaudio didn't attend the meeting.

In other business, Maguschak clarified that applicants for the city clerk position don't have to be city residents, contrary to an ad that was placed for the job.

Participants in the city's June 13 election voted 122-109 to change the elected position to an appointed one. City officials cited a lack of applicants as the reason for the move.

Amanda Dudley, the previous city clerk, resigned in November but after no applications were received, agreed to remain through June to oversee the recent election.

The city received two applications for the part-time job, which involves taking minutes at council's meetings as well as supervising city elections, before it moved to advertise the position.

A July 28 deadline has been set for applicants.

Maguschak told council he has prepared a job description that calls for the chosen candidate to work 32 hours per month at the city clerk's present salary of $400 per month but also invited council's input regarding such issues.

In other business:

≤ Council recognized Police Capt. Paul Pownall, who has retired from the city after 28 years of service.

Allman, who noted he was Brooke County sheriff when Pownall started his career with the city, said, "He's a wonderful officer and will be missed."

In addition to securing various grants for equipment for the department, Pownall has served for several years as a school resource officer, first at Wellsburg Middle School and then at Brooke Middle School.

Pownall noted the Brooke County school board recently agreed to employ him directly in that capacity.

≤ City Solicitor Ryan Weld advised he would authorize Edge Co. of Bridgeport, Ohio to proceed with the demolition of 15 dilapidated structures.

The work will be supported by a $290,000 grant through a pilot program of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.

Weld said the structures are located on Charles and Main streets as well as other areas of the city.

He confirmed that because the city now owns them, the future vacant lots may be used as council sees fit, pending establishing zoning for their locations.

≤ Council agreed to abandon part of an alley running east and west from state Route 2 to Yankee Street, the portion bordering a lot occupied by Dock Realty, to allow the business to expand its customer parking area.

≤ Maguschak announced city employee Shane Bennet has been promoted to assistant street superintendent following the resignation of Joseph Czesztyinki, who is retiring.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)