Wellsburg holds off on new grease trap ordinance
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WELLSBURG - An ordinance which would require certain Wellsburg businesses to install grease traps is on hold.
Wellsburg Council was set to hold the second reading of the proposed ordinance, Tuesday, which would require any restaurants and hotels operating within the city limits to install the traps, in an effort to keep grease from being dumped into the city's water or sanitary systems.
Members, though, opted to table the measure after hearing from one local business owner.
Howard Armstrong, owner of Mark's Carryout, estimated there are around 14 businesses which would be affected by the proposed ordinance, saying he feels enacting such a law would discourage new businesses from coming to Wellsburg, and would place a financial difficulty on those currently operating in the city.
"I'm not sure that's the way we want to handle things with the few of us left," he said, noting no one from the city had spoken with him prior to the ordinance going through its first reading last month and other businesses with whom he had spoken also had not heard from anyone.
In addition to restaurants and hotels, Armstrong surmised local organizations such as the Moose, American Legion, Elks, and the Wellsburg Fire Hall could be affected by such requirements.
Armstrong said, despite some claims he has heard, his business doesn't dump its grease into the utility lines. Instead, they store the larger amounts used for frying, as an example, in 55-gallon barrels which are then sold, with the grease used in small batch items reused.
"We don't put grease down the drain," Armstrong said.
He suggested holding off on the ordinance, or letting it die, and having city officials reach out to businesses to survey what actions already are being taken with grease to see how much of an issue is taking place in the city before enacting any legislation.
Councilman Randy Fletcher offered the motion to table, with all others in attendance agreeing, saying the ordinance can be reviewed more closely by the city's committees.
"We'll have more discussion. That way everyone will be happy," he said.