POLICE STATION MAY MOVE — On Tuesday, Wellsburg Council agreed to purchase the Brooke County Probation Department building at 840 Charles St., a move that is pending approval by the Brooke County Commission, which owns it. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — The Wellsburg Police Department may return to the city’s downtown business district following a decision by Wellsburg Council on Tuesday.

Council agreed to purchase the former Brooke County Probation Department at 840 Charles St. for $1 from the Brooke County Commission, pending the commissioners’ approval.

Mayor Dan Dudley said a commissioner approached him about the potential sale, which would result in the police department moving from the former Wellsburg Middle School on Main Street.

The department had moved there in 2022 to free up space at City Hall when the building was being used for an alternative school operated by the Brooke County School District.

Last fall it was sold by the school board to a business interested in using it for a daycare center or children’s party rentals.

Dudley said city officials had been in talks with the new owner but weren’t able to reach an agreement.

The mayor said with parking for the department’s cruisers close to Charles Street, the station will be highly visible to the public.

He said it’s something he feels was lost when it was at the school, where the station and its parking were set back from the street.

The decision was made following an executive session at which council also considered the potential purchase of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post home on Main Street.

It took no action on the latter.

Two other proposals, involving city property, also came before council, but were tabled for more information.

Amy Blake, a representative of Williams Companies, appeared through a teleconference call, to answer questions about a proposal to extend a natural gas line across property near the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

Third Ward Councilman Randy Fletcher asked whether the extension had been approved by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and other state agencies.

“We need a map that shows where it’s going to cross our property. We don’t know how much it’s going to get torn up,” he said, adding council needs to know who will be responsible for restoring affected property.

Fletcher said he is on the city’s water-sewer board and has been told nothing about the proposal.

Fourth Ward Councilman Larry Swanson said the company should submit a plan to council regarding the project.

Blake told council she will consult the state agencies and present a map and details to council in the future.

Council also heard from Kevin Pearl of Frankovitch, Anetakis, Simon, Decaptio and Pearl, the Weirton law firm hired recently to serve as its legal counsel.

Pearl said DeNoon Lumber is seeking permission to cross city property off state Route 27 to remove timber from adjacent private land and he will present a proposed contract from the business.

In other business:

• Fletcher and Swanson asked the attorney about measures that may be taken against local businesses that owe business and occupation taxes to the city and were told he would research it.

Fletcher said there are 13 that owe the tax and suggested printing their names in a local newspaper, as is done by Brooke County officials for those who are delinquent on property tax payments.

Swanson said one hasn’t paid in 20 years and questioned whether the city may withhold a business license for failure to pay.

The matter has been raised as the city awaits news of its application for inclusion in the state’s Home Rule program, which would allow it to implement a 1 percent sales tax for goods and services received in the city with some exceptions.

The move is expected to generate $172,000 per year for city services such as street paving.

Asked the status of that application, Pearl said he will be meeting with former city solicitor Ryan Weld, who submitted it.

• Dudley expressed thanks to all who showed kindness toward him and his family following the recent death of his daughter, Amanda, at the age of 42 of a stroke.

“The community really stepped up for us, stepped up for my family,” he said.

Following the meeting, Dudley said Amanda had been diagnosed with sickle cell anemia at age 9 and wasn’t expected to live into adulthood but with her parents encouragement, she was active in school, participating in band and other activities.

Following graduation, she continued her studies at West Virginia University and West Virginia Northern Community College and worked various jobs, including Wellsburg city clerk.

• Dr. Olivia Mason of Almost Heaven Family Dentistry sought permission to hold a 5K run on city streets, tentatively on April 18, to promote awareness of oral cancer.

Mason said there are plans to offer screenings through the event.

While details of the event have to be worked out, council voiced support for it.

Council’s next regular meeting will be held at 6 p.m. March 10 at City Hall.