Follansbee Council hears of air monitoring efforts, needed library repairs

FOLLANSBEEE -- On Monday, Follansbee Council learned of plans by a local environmental group to monitor air pollution from local industries and was asked to assist with repairs to the Follansbee Library.

Frank Rocchio, president of Ohio Valley Environmental Advocates; and Yuri Gorby, a Bethany native and geomicrobiologist with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; displayed one of about 100 air quality monitoring devices to be posted at various places in the Ohio Valley through a $495,301 grant awarded to several environmental groups by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

They said the devices are expected to supplement a smaller number of monitoring devices maintained by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and are equipped to record and transmit data such as levels of pollutants, current wind speed, humidity and other environmental factors.

They noted they also are equipped to collect air samples that can be analyzed within two weeks.

Smaller air monitoring devices have been used by Gorby and others to measure pollutants near natural gas well pads, compressor stations and refineries in other areas.

He said larger monitors in Follansbee and elsewhere can help to establish a baseline for pollution levels before oil, gas and petrochemical industries begin operations locally.

Some residents have expressed concern about air pollution after Empire Green Generation announced plans to operate a plastics recycling plant using a process called pyrolysis.

Officials with Empire, which awaits a permit from the WVDEP, have noted potential pollution from the plant is far below that of the Mountain State Carbon and Koppers plants that once operated in the same area.

Gorby said there are plans to make data collected by the monitors available to the public through direct access online or quarterly reports.

Prior to the meeting, he said it's unclear what WVDEP officials will do with the information, noting the West Virginia Legislature is considering House Bill 5018, which would limit how community-sourced air monitoring data may be used in court cases or to affect regulations.

Officials with the West Virginia Manufacturing Association have argued without such legislation, environmental groups could attempt to supplant the role of government agencies in regulating industry.

Leaders of the West Virginia Rivers Coalition and other groups have suggested such efforts are helpful to the WVDEP, which often lacks manpower or resources.

Rocchio said the award of grant money for such efforts indicates the USEPA has an interest in the results.

Council also heard from Linda Amos, vice president of the Brooke County library board, who asked the city for assistance with funding and manpower to make repairs to the Follansbee Library.

Amos said Alex Schneider, the libraries' director, has secured a grant for the building's heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and there are plans to repair other areas, including sagging ceiling tiles caused by improperly installed air vents; and deteriorating entrance and rear handicap accessible ramps.

Amos said the library was visited last year by 4,248 people who accessed books, videos and other materials or attended free children's story hours and other programs.

Mayor David Velegol Jr. called for a special council meeting at the library at 6 p.m. March 18 so members can see the work that needs to be done.

He also announced a special council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Follansbee Community House to discuss with M&G Architects and Engineers proposed renovations to that building as well as a proposed cut in the curb of Mark Avenue by the former Follansbee Middle School football field and a possible bridge over Allegheny Creek.

On Monday, Joe Ewusiak of Ewusiak Development asked council to consider the curb cut to accomodate plans to build a parking lot on part of the field.

Ewusiak said the lot would be used by members of New Day Christian Center, a local church that has moved into the school's former field house, but also could be used by visitors to the adjacent Follansbee Park.

Velegol said it's been discovered that a small part of the park had belonged to Brooke County Schools when it sold the former middle school, field house and adjacent property to Ewusiak Development through a public auction in 2020.

But he said the business has agreed to donate the land, which is occupied by the park's swing set and part of the Lions Shelter.

The bridge has been eyed as part of a small park that may be created on land once occupied by two buildings razed by the city to reduce the risk of the creek flooding.

Also on Monday:

• Second Ward Councilman Charles McCoy suggested the city allow handicapped residents to request that their garbage be collected from their backyards or backdoors if they aren't able to transport it to their street curbs.

McCoy said the city requires all residents to pay for garbage collection but makes no accommodations for those who are disabled, a potential violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bill Secrist, the city's public works director, said while he's sympathetic to those with disabilities, it would be time-consuming and potentially risky for city crews to enter residents' property to collect their trash.

Velegol suggested revisiting the topic at a future meeting.

• Lester Skinner was introduced as the city's new deputy police chief following the departure of Dan Casto, who had assisted City Police Chief Larry Rea in that capacity.

In related business, council observed a moment of silence for the late Silvio "Sy" Paesani, a former city police officer. An Army Korean War veteran, Paesani also worked for Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel for many years and was active at St. Anthony Catholic Church.

It's the second death in recent months of a Follansbee Police veteran. Council also recently lamented the death of Vince Croce, a former police chief who also has served as a patrolman and Brooke County sheriff's deputy.

Also a Wheeling-Pitt employee, Croce was active in the Follansbee Knights of Columbus and other civic groups.

• Council acknowledged Skinner's induction to the New Cumberland Hall of Fame, his role as the village's police chief and in various charities noted by officials there; and the posthumous induction of former Brooke High School baseball coach Perry West to the West Virginia Baseball Association's Hall of Fame.