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Water, sewer projects are advancing in Follansbee

FOLLANSBEE — On Monday, Follansbee Council learned major projects involving the city’s water and wastewater treatment systems are expected to begin in the near future.

Mayor David Velegol Jr. advised a pre-construction meeting for the $12.9 million sewer project will be held Friday while a pre-bid meeting for potential contractors for the $3.1 million water project is expected to occur around the third week of this month.

The Army Corps of Engineers, which awarded $2 million for the water project and has been reviewing plans submitted by Ghosh Engineering, will chose its contractor, Velegol noted.

He said work is expected to begin in February for the sewer project, which will include improvements to the sewer plant and replacement of about 865 linear feet of lines.

It’s being funded with $10.2 million in federal funds secured by U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va. and $2.7 million in state funds.

The mayor said crews with Alex Paris Contracting may proceed with the Raymond Street project after frigid temperatures subside.

The $600,000 project involves replacement of a storm sewer line along Raymond Street with a larger one more capable of conveying runoff from a hillside at the city’s east end to the Ohio River.

In related business, council discussed two issues related to the water treatment system that weren’t foreseen when the project was designed.

Velegol noted council has agreed to use about $650,000 in federal pandemic relief funds awarded to the city to replace about 2,000 water meters.

Exceeding their ten-year lifespans, the radio-read meters have unreliable, become unreliable, making it necessary for city crews to manually read about 1,400 of them, according to Velegol and other city officials.

Velegol said there are about 3,500 meters in all, and there are plans ultimately to replace all of them.

City officials also are faced with replacing an $800,000 control panel at the Hooverson Heights water plant.

Without it, the city has been forced to serve both downtown and suburban customers from the downtown water plant, which has put a strain on the system, said Velegol.

Council members considered funding the panel from the city’s Urban Development Action Trust Grant fund, established with in lieu of tax payments linked to the development of Wheeling-Nisshin Steel, or other sources.

The issue is expected to be revisited at council’s next meeting at 7 p.m. next Monday.

Velegol said another project, the construction of a footbridge across Allegheny Creek and replacement of city steps nearby, will begin as soon as temperatures are consistently above 40 degrees.

Council has allocated about $72,000 for Fuscardo Concrete

to build new steps along the hillside above the creek.

Velegol said 4 inch beams will be inserted into the ground beneath the steps to deter future settling.

Crews with Fuscardo Concrete also are slated to create a thin pier for an aluminum footbridge to be built across the creek by American Muscle Docks and Fabrication.

The $26,100 project required the approval of the Federal Emergency Management Agency after FEMA funds were used to remove two buildings that stood over the stream and contributed to it flooding.

Also on Monday:

• Eric Fithyan, president of the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce, presented $1,000 from the group for cosmetic improvements to the Follansbee Community House.

Council also learned Roxanne Bruce, a local woman, has organized a craft class there to raise funds for the same purpose.

The class will be held from 1 -4 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Community House. The cost is $35 and reservations should be made by texting (740) 359-3173.

• Council observed a moment of silence for the recent death of Bill Schaefer, a former mayor and commander of American Legion Post 45. Schaefer, who was 97, served in Okinawa and the Asiatic Pacific in the Navy during World War II.

• The mayor and council expressed thanks to local business owner Melissa Hood, who organized the children’s Christmas party with support from other local businesses; and the Follansbee Fire Department and Santa and Mrs. Claus for their trek through the city with treat bags for children on the morning of Christmas Eve.

Special recognition also went to City Clerk David Kurcina and city employee Shane Henderson, who were selected to officiate at the West Virgina Class IV high school football championship.

Velegol noted Kurcina has officiated high school football games for 16 years and basketball games for 10 years while Henderson has officiated high school and college-level football games for 12 years and served as an NFL game day assistant for five years.

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