Traffic signals, chickens discussed before Follansbee Council
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FOLLANSBEE -- The proposed removal of traffic signals along Main Street, the status of planned infrastructure projects and an ordinance against chickens in the city were among issues before Follansbee Council on Monday.
In September, council learned of plans by the West Virginia Division of Highways to remove traffic signals at the intersections of Main Street (which is part of state Route 2) and State and Raymond streets and near the former coke plant at the city's north end.
State highway officials have said the move is based on lower traffic counts at the three intersections and based on standards set by the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
Critics of the manual have argued it ignores pedestrians and bicyclists.
Council members and other city officials have voiced concern for the safety of pedestrians and the difficulty of vehicles currently entering Main Street from side streets when traffic is at its highest.
Mayor David Velegol Jr. said he and other city officials have conveyed their concerns to Gov. Jim Justice. He said the protest has been joined by officials with Empire Diversified Energy, which plans to use State Street for truck traffic bound for two large warehouses it has built on former Follansbee Steel property.
Councilman at large John Casinelli said he recently attempted to cross Main Street from Raymond Street, an intersection near the Follansbee Post Office and Dalesio Manor, an apartment complex occupied by many senior citizens.
Though signals at other intersections have been bagged or reduced to flashing lights, the red and green light signal remains in effect.
"Those cars are going so fast. I can't imagine any of our seniors crossing there," said Casinelli.
In other business, Velegol and Joe Edmiston, an independent grant writer working for the city, updated council on upcoming infrastructure projects.
Edmiston said $2.7 million in federal funds have been approved for renovations to the city's fire station but he's unsure how soon it will be released.
Developed by M&G Architects and Engineers of Wheeling, plans call for the building to be extended south onto a vacant city-owned lot to allow its bays to be expanded for modern, larger trucks and the creation of a 720 square foot meeting room, more storage for equipment and a fitness room for city employees.
The project is to be funded in part from a portion of revenue generated by a 1 percent sales tax adopted by council in 2017.
Velegol advised that pending an environmental survey under review by state officials, a major sewer project for the city is expected to begin in the spring.
Funded by $10.2 million in federal funds, $2.7 million in state funds and a $2.7 million private loan secured by the city, it will include upgrades to the sewer plant, two pump stations and the separation of combined sanitary and stormwater sewer lines.
Velegol said he's been blamed for delays in such projects, including $3.1 million in improvements to the water treatment system funded largely by the Army Corps of Engineers, but they are the result of various government entities being involved in their development.
In related business, City Manager Joe DiBartolomeo said a company has approached him about the city treating between 100,000 gallons to 600,000 gallons per day of its own wastewater, which could generate millions of dollars in revenue for the city.
Following the meeting, Velegol said business from the customer wasn't considered when the project was designed, but the plant would be capable of handling it.
He noted if the city is to accept the additional wastewater, it must seek a modification to its state permit.
Edmiston also reported he's pursuing a grant from the National Fitness Campaign that would support the creation of several fitness stations at a local park at an estimated cost of $155,000 to $175,000.
He said if the grant were approved, it would require a match of about $30,000 from the city.
Also on Monday:
• Council members heard from Robert Mothershed, a resident of Main Street, who asked them to revisit an ordinance prohibiting the keeping of chickens on residential property.
Mothershed said he and his wife have three hens that save them an estimated $2,100 in eggs per year, and there have been no complaints from their neighbors.
Velegol told Mothershed feed set out for the chickens has attracted rats to that area, and the city has consistently enforced the 50-year-old ordinance against all farm animals, including some years ago when a Highland Hills resident kept ducks.
• Denise Arthurs, volunteer coordinator for the city's Christmas lightup program, said the event will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 2. It will include a short parade from the Bluewave Center to DeFelice Brothers Pizza, activities for children, a couple of food trucks and a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
She added space heaters have been ordered in case of cool weather.
• Third Ward Councilman Nick Cekinovich asked council to consider employing a part-time code enforcement officer to cite property owners for high grass, loose refuse and other violations of the city's clean and wholesome ordinance.
Velegol made clear his position on the matter, saying such enforcement should be done by the city's police officers.
Suggesting it may be done during their regular patrols, he said, "They should be driving around and they should be doing it."
"If they don't want that to be part of their duties, they don't need to be an officer in this city," he added.
City Police Chief Larry Rea supported the mayor, telling him, "You summed it up pretty good. It's 'just do,' that's all."
In related business, plans were made for a Nov. 20 special meeting at 6 p.m. to discuss the possible creation of a building inspector and budgetary matters.
• Fourth Ward Councilman Frank Pedersen announced the Parkview neighborhood that comprises his ward will soon have a new sign.
He said resident Michele Neff approached him about its worn condition and she and he raised $1,225 through the door to door sale of popcorn.
Pedersen said a new sign will be purchased from Awesome Signs of Weirton and any leftover funds will be used for flowers and mulch at its base at the top of Mark Avenue.