Follansbee Council engages in street talk

FOLLANSBEE -- Local streets and traffic were a recurring subject during Monday's Follansbee Council meeting.

High speed traffic on Main Street (state Route 2) at the city's south end was among complaints registered by three residents who appeared before council on Monday.

Resident Sylvia Benzo said speeding there is "horrendous," even in the middle of the night. She added she's concerned about youth crossing the street from Mahan Playground to a convenience store.

Mayor David Velegol Jr. noted he and council have raised objections to plans by the West Virginia Division of Highways to permanently remove traffic signals at the intersection of Main and State and Raymond streets and near the former coke plant at the city's north end.

"It's just a terrible decision," he said, adding, "Somebody's going to get hurt."

Velegol said it's already difficult at many times for people parked in front of the local post office to pull onto the street.

Councilman at large John Casinelli said he's disappointed that local representatives to the state Legislature haven't come to the city's aid in the matter.

"They're collecting money (in salaries) and doing nothing," he said.

Following the meeting, Velegol confirmed he's asked the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission to conduct traffic counts at the intersections to counter state highway officials' argument the number of vehicles entering Main Street from side streets doesn't support keeping the signals.

But Casinelli said such counts won't show the many pedestrians who cross the street each day.

Benzo and Darlene and Paul Boniey also expressed concern about a vacant apartment building at the south end that was damaged after a car struck it about a year ago.

They said crews have been involved in a cleanup in the building and questioned whether it's safe for someone to move into it.

City Fire Chief Larry Rea said before anyone moves in, it must be inspected by city building inspector and the state Fire Marshal's Office.

Noting a section of the building's roof is falling, he said, "There's a lot of work that needs to be done before those (apartments) are inhabitable. A lot."

In related business, Velegol said designs have been completed for new streetlights along Main Street between Raymond and Ohio streets and an effort is being made to coordinate their installation with the relocation of gas lines under the current streetlights by Columbia Gas.

Plans have been made to replace failing streetlights along the street in phases, with the first section to be funded with about $700,000 in federal pandemic relief funds awarded to the city.

Third Ward Councilman Nick Cekinovich also reported on efforts by the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission to replace the Market Street Bridge with a new span.

He said the regional planning commission has secured the support of federal legislators on both sides of the Ohio River for the proposed project, which may be funded with state and federal funds.

BHJ Executive Director Mike Paprocki reported earlier the planning commission has been asked by the West Virginia Department of Transportation to assist it in seeking a grant from the Federal Highway Administration's Bridge Investment Program.

He said each state has been encouraged to submit three projects, estimated at $100 million or more, for up to $80 billion allocated to the program.

Also on Monday:

• Resident Jeanmarie Byrge asked whether anything can prevent Empire Green Generation from opening a plastics recycling plant in the city and whether the company could amend permits for the facility to allow it to convert medical waste into energy, as it originally intended.

Velegol said if the plastics recycling plant meets all conditions required by the city for building permits and by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection for air quality permits, it cannot be denied.

He said Empire would need to seek a new permit if it chose to return to its original plan for a medical waste recycling plant and its approval would require a countywide vote.

Also on Monday:

• Carla Lada and Pam Campbell, leaders of the American Legion Post 45 Auxiliary, made an appeal for contributions from individuals, businesses or groups, to help them send several female Brooke High School students to Girls State.

They noted that through the summer program, students learn about all levels of government, leadership and other topics.

Lada said past support from individual council members and other civic groups has helped them to pay the fee required for each participant, noting it has risen this year from $250 per student to $300 per student.

• Council observed a moment of silence for Verland West, a former city police officer who died on Feb. 20 at the age of 79. Velegol said West could be found patrolling the grounds on all three nights of Follansbee Community Days during his tenure with the department under Police Chief Vince Croce.

West had begun his career in law enforcement in Washington, D.C. before returning to his hometown and working also at Weirton Steel.

• City Manager Joe DiBartolomeo called for a special meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday to finalize the budget for the 2024 fiscal year.

He advised little change in revenue is expected, while the city will be faced with a number of potential new expenses, including a new garbage truck and other vehicles for the street department.