WEIRTON – After more than a month of debate, Weirton Council made an appointment to the Weirton Area Water Board during a special meeting Wednesday.

Council, in a 5-1 vote, approved Mayor Dean Harris’ appointment of Joseph Paolo to the Water Board for a seat currently held by Don Gianni Jr. Harris previously sought to appoint Gianni; however, council tabled the recommendation after hearing from a handful of residents during their May and June regular meetings.

In the 5-1 vote, Councilmembers Tim Connell, Ralph Cunningham, Jesse Keeder, Anthony Rocchio, and Chris Jonczak voted in favor, while Councilmember Brittany Holloway voted against. Councilmember Rick Stead was not in attendance.

A second resolution – to appoint Lawrence Wright as an ex-officio member of the board – was pulled under advice from City Attorney Vince Gurrera, who suggested the appointment should go to a member of Weirton Council or another representative of the municipal government.