Follansbee Council continues discussion on Allegheny Creek debris
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FOLLANSBEE - City officials continued to discuss possible actions to clear the waterways of Allegheny Creek, Monday, although no definitive action has been agreed to, as of yet.
Follansbee Council met in regular session Monday, with an agenda including discussion on the conditions of Allegheny Creek - a stream flowing from a point near Eldersville Road through a portion of the city's downtown and leading toward the Ohio River.
The creek has a history of flooding, which officials have attributed to amounts of debris building up in various areas of the waterway.
"That's where the problem is," Councilman John Casinelli said.
Follansbee officials previously had discussed the possibility of approaching the Brooke County Commission for assistance, with Councilman Joe Kafton also offering to reach out to representatives of the West Virginia Division of Highways.
The issue, though, could be a lack of available funds to properly clear the channel.
"They might not have enough money for an actual dredging," Casinelli said, noting it may still fall on the city to address getting rid of the larger materials in the creek. "Debris is where you have your problem."
According to Casinelli, tree stumps, larger branches, and other debris are building up in the stream bed, blocking the proper flow of water and causing it to spill over its banks in times of heavy rain.
In 2020, the city purchased and razed some buildings along the creek as part of a Federal Emergency Management Agency program after massive flooding in the city's downtown in 2016.
Public Works Director Bill Secrist said another element contributing to recent flooding concerns is the deterioration of a wall located alongside the stream.
"The walls are falling in," Secrist said.
Secrist said a bid had been received by the city for some potential debris removal, with officials saying Monday, they may have to seek another with an updated scope to see what kind of costs would be associated.
"We need to make an effort to do something," Councilman at Large John Schwertfeger said.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)