Traffic among matters before Follansbee Council
Trending
FOLLANSBEE -- The replacement of street lights along Main Street and the placement of a stop sign at the top of Mark Avenue were among many matters discussed by Follansbee Council on Tuesday.
Mayor David Velegol Jr. advised council that May Engineering of St. Clairsville has conducted a digital survey of the street lights and is expected to complete designs for their replacement in time for the work to be advertised to potential contractors in October.
Plans call for lights on the west side of Main Street between Raymond and Ohio streets to be replaced using about $700,000 in federal pandemic relief funds awarded to the city.
City officials had hoped to do more but advised sidewalks beneath the lights must be removed so electrical wiring for the lights can be replaced, raising costs for the project.
Velegol said the city has applied for a federal grant to replace others and awaits word on whether it's been approved.
Council agreed earlier to install solar lights along the street until the conventional lights are replaced.
The panel also heard from resident Paul DiGiacinto, who encouraged members not to install the stop sign at Mark Avenue.
Third Ward Councilman Nick Cekinovich said three residents of that area have had vehicles veer from the steep slope veer into their yards, resulting in one losing a fence, and the sign could deter speeding there.
DiGiacinto suggested a stop sign would result only in more accidents. The position was supported by Councilman at large John Casinelli, who said it can be difficult for drivers to come to a full stop when the street is slick.
Cekinvoch said if a stop sign isn't installed, perhaps guardrail could be installed along the residents' yards while ackowledging they would occupy some space.
Casinelli suggested instead putting in bollards, which are sturdy posts designed to block access to an area.
Cekinovich, 4th Ward Councilman Frank Pedersen and City Manager Joe DiBartolomeo agreed to meet with the residents to discuss the problem further.
In other business:
• Resident Jeanmarie Byrge noted council took a stance against a proposed medical waste treatment plant after hearing opposition from council last year, leading to an announcement that plans for the facility had been dropped.
But she encouraged council to consider stricter regulations for other potential businesses.
"I think rather than reacting next time, we could be pro-active," said Byrge.
Velegol noted Empire Diversified Energy, the local business behind the medical waste proposal, has plans for a plastic recycling plant instead and he and others have been adamant that they share information about it with council and the public in advance.
• Dan Casto, a resource officer for Brooke County Schools, asked council to designate all of the parking space in front of Brooke Intermediate North (formerly Jefferson Primary School) for loading and unloading only to accommodate school buses there.
He said the move would eliminate two handicap parking spaces, but they had been put in for buses carrying students with special needs.
In related business, City Police Chief Larry Rea asked council its wishes regarding future police hires. He said he would like to at least fill a full-time position left vacant with Casto's hiring by the school district.
City Police Capt. Rick Reinard earlier requested additional hires, saying it would allow two city officers to be scheduled for all shifts.
Casinelli suggested the matter could be discussed further at a special meeting to be announced.
• Velegol announced a service reflecting on the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, will be held at 5:30 p.m. next Monday at the Follansbee Community House, with council's next regular meeting to follow at 6 p.m.