Park improvements, dilapidated structures discussed in Wellsburg
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WELLSBURG -- Wellsburg Council moved forward Tuesday with plans to acquire new playground equipment for one of its parks and received an update on the removal of about a dozen dilapidated structures in the city through a state-funded program.
Norm Schwertfeger, an independent grant writer working for the city, suggested council use about $126,000 in grants and donations he and others secured to purchase playground equipment and a wood fiber base for the Betty Carr Recreation Site near 18th and Charles streets.
Schwertfeger said a base with a rubber-like surface would cost more and most likely couldn't be installed before winter, while the wood fiber base would allow the city to add other equipment to the site.
He added a condition of the $25,000 grant awarded to the city by the Charles and Thelma Pugliese Foundation is that it be used before this year's end, though it's possible an extension could be sought.
Schwertfeger said funds for the project can be covered by a $50,000 grant from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, a $10,000 grant from the George Bowers Charitable Trust, $8,000 from remaining funds from the disbanded Wellsburg Recreation Committee, $30,000 in state funds secured by former state Senator Owens Brown and a $1,000 donation from Trivium Packaging.
He noted Mayor Dan Dudley and 1st Ward Councilman Jerry Nichols approached Brown and Trivium, respectively, for the funds from those sources.
At Schwertfeger's suggestion, plans were made to advertise for the playground equipment.
Much of the park's aging play structures were removed months ago because they were deemed unsafe.
For about a year and a half, city officials have been pursuing improvements to local parks and Schwertfeger was hired to seek funding for that purpose.
On Tuesday, he told council he awaits word on more than a dozen grant applications and requests for donations.
Council also heard from City Solicitor Ryan Weld, who said seven dilapidated structures have been razed in recent months, with nine others slated for demolition in the near future.
Performed by Edgco Inc. of Lansing, Ohio, the demolitions are being funded with $290,000 awarded to the city through a pilot program of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.
Wellsburg is one of 21 municipalities selected for the program.
Weld said he's preparing another list, with input from council members, of other structures that may be removed, pending cooperation with their owners.
He said with the first batch, owners were happy to sign over their property to the city because they couldn't afford to address them. He said some eyed for future demolition may be obtained because taxes are owed on them.
Asked if additional state money will be available to the city, Weld said no, but the city still has about $135,000 left.
Council also heard from resident Sara Shafer, who complained of vehicles driving at high speeds at the city's north end and of an 18-wheeler truck entering Pleasant Avenue from 30th Street.
Shafer said the narrow street often is walked by residents while crews also are working on the new Brooke County ambulance station at its north end.
She noted a sign at the foot of nearby Rabbit Hill Road notes it's not suited for large trucks and suggested such a sign be placed there.
Regarding the truck's purpose on Pleasant Avenue, City Police Capt. Micah Knisley said truck drivers often aren't familiar with the area and are misdirected by global positioning systems.
In other business:
• Fourth Ward Councilman Fred Marino suggested the city's street sweeper be operated on state Route 2 and later in the morning, possibly at 9:30 a.m. or 10 a.m., at least on a trial basis. He said an official with the state Division of Highways has voiced support for city crews sweeping the highway, where gravel and dirt has accumulated in some areas.
Marino added he'd like to see more weeds trimmed while expressing concern about damage to city equipment.
Third Ward Councilman Randy Fletcher said the street sweeper has been operated in the early morning in the downtown business district because the streets are filled later by people working and visiting the county courthouse. He added the sweeper's early hours allow its operator to perform other tasks for the city later in the day.
Weld advised the matters weren't presented as items for action on council's agenda, while City Manager Steve Maguschak encouraged Marino to attend a meeting of the city's department heads with him.
• Council granted a request from the Wellsburg Applefest Committee to close Charles Street from Sixth to Ninth streets and Seventh Street from Charles Street to Yankee Street for the festival, which will be held Oct. 6-8. It also granted the group permission to use the lot south of Sixth Street for a pet show during the festival.
City Police Chief Mike Allman said he wanted to remind attendees of a city ordinance prohibiting dogs at community events and that it will be enforced during the Applefest.