PENNSBORO, W.Va. — Resident Clayton Stephens approached Pennsboro Council about safety at the corner of 103 Masonic Ave. when the group met on Jan. 16. He asked that a yield sign be placed to make people pay more attention.
Mayor Robert Riggs commented that it was a state route and the Division of Highways would need contacted. Permission is needed and he said it was a long process.
“There used to be a telephone pole there and we tried to get them to leave the pole," Riggs said. "The DOH said they couldn’t do that. An I-beam was put there so it could be seen, and it’s been hit a lot."
Stephens reported calling the State and the person there said someone would come look at the pole. He also mentioned the retaining wall was crumbling.
"The problem with the retaining wall is the State will tell you they have the right of way and go to the berm,” Riggs responded. "The city asked when we blacktopped last time for a berm to be placed due to water running across there, but the State doesn’t take responsibility for sidewalks.They are the responsibility of the landowners.”
Looking back, the city’s first grant to replace sidewalks was in 2017.
“The first year, we got $35,000 to design it and it took two to three years to get the rest of the money," Riggs said. "Then it jumped from $35,000 to $75,000."
He reported at that time, Ritchie County was a distressed county and qualified for 100 percent funding.
“Those two were done with 100 percent funding. It was $185,000 to do two sections, from the Masonic lodge to the woman’s club, and street above Union Bank," Riggs said.
When trying to get the sidewalks done in front of the city building, it was projected over $220,000.
“We’re not classified as a distressed county now," Riggs said. "In order to qualify for grants, the city has to come up with 20 percent up front, and it was going to cost the city $50,000 up front to get the grant.”
Nothing longer than 50 foot is supposed to travel the route, or that person would be cited; however, GPS sends them that way.
“Unless the State has 100 percent funding, then we can’t do anything with the sidewalk,” said Riggs. “We have rights of way and easements, but the sidewalk is your property, and they have easement to do what they want.”
The City will try to contact to the State to work on the post issue, but it will not do anything with the sidewalk. DOH will also be contacted to discuss what to do with the pole.
In other matters, Pennsboro Council did the following:
pay bills, motion approved
•Accepted minutes from Dec. 19 and Jan. 5 meetings, and financial statement.
•Approved motion to transfer $75,000 from the regular reservoir account to the reservoir CD account.
•C.E.C. Engineering had minor modifications on rights of way for the water line extension. Where the proposed line was to go, there was a slip repaired at one time. Research is being done to make sure a slip doesn’t reoccur when rerouting the line. The project may go to bid in February.
•Original plans have changed for concession stand rental. It will be open during ball seasons of evenings when games are scheduled, which would be approximately three hours for three to four nights per week. It will be discussed at Council’s special meeting, if the paperwork is ready.
•Lori Poling was reappointed to the Industrial Park Board. Her term is for three years. Another board member, Lisa Hammond, moved and Mark Spiker was contacted to fill that seat. Council nominated Spiker to the board on the contingency that he accepts. If so, he will be appointed at the special meeting on Jan. 26.
•Attorney Myers was asked to get a document in order so Police Chief Travis Snuffer could take Rt. 50 between Rt. 74/Pullman to Industrial Park Road when patrolling. Mile markers will need identified and the request will be placed before the county commission for approval.
•Two bids were received to tear down a house near the city building. One was for $1,500 to $1,800, and the other was $4,500.
•Discussed the parking area at 501 Main Street, created at that time for apartments. It will be stoned and possibly rent spots for parking. “It will help recoup money from tearing the house down and regulate who is using the parking area,” said Riggs. He also asked for a ruling of no parking along the street, because of snow plows and the narrow way.
•Naman Barnes, a Pennsboro High graduate donated $1,000 to used where needed. Mayor Riggs said shrubs would be purchased in his parents’ names and placed at Myles Stadium.
•Pennsboro Industrial Park Board has agreed to give $5,000 towards the Myles Stadium pavilion, and Antero Resources will commit $5,000. A total of $20,000 has been donated towards the pavilion, out of approximately $30,000 to build it.
•Donna Cottrill asked about the entrance corner to the senior center. The contractor should be done next week. Gene Hearne will have the lights repaired and he is also getting prices for a generator to run the city building when electricity is off.
•The city is waiting on the deed to proceed to remove the bleachers at Myles Stadium and put it out to bid.
•The meter behind the city building was backed over by a vehicle. The gas company has made a temporary fix.
•Building permit: Larry Gregory, steps/ramp.
•Someone has been setting chairs on the street during the night for approximately two weeks, and a bag of trash was there one day. They are also taking big rocks from the parking lot and placing them in the road. A camera will be added to watch the area.
•City employees Ray Sutorius and Adam Props received chief operator certifications.
Pennsboro Council’s next regular meeting is Monday, Feb. 20, at 6 p.m.
