VARIOUS ISSUES — Increases in the city’s water rates and street paving are among the many issues to be discussed by Wellsburg Council members in the weeks ahead. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — Increases to the city’s water rates and plans for street paving are among issues to be discussed by Wellsburg Council in the weeks ahead, with the first reading for the rate hikes set to occur during council’s Nov. 12 meeting.

Pending the passage of two readings, the minimum monthly water rate for Wellsburg’s city water customers is slated to rise from $54.85 to $68.55.

The charge reflects a proposed new rate tier of $10.85 for the first 1,000 gallons of usage, $10.06 per 1,000 gallons after the next 18,000 gallons and $6.35 per 1,000 gallons for usage above 20,000 gallons.

Also proposed is an increase in tap-in fees for new customers, from $350 to $500 or the actual cost for the connection, whichever is greater.

The city’s re-connection fee, for restoration of stopped service, would rise from $25 to $30.

The increases were recommended by the city’s Water-Sewer Board following input from accountants and engineers involved in planning improvements to the city’s water treatment system.

City Manager Steve Maguschak said such improvements include replacement of a main line along Charles Street from 12th Street to 30th Street with a wider line.

The wider line is expected to improve water pressure for customers and reduce the buildup of materials that can result in discoloration.

He said there also are plans to raise well heads supplying water to the city to reduce the impact of flooding from the Ohio River.

Maguschak said he would like to replace all of the city’s water lines, many of which are 100 years old, in phases.

He noted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has called for the replacement of water lines containing lead and copper by 2027.

The order was spurred by lead pipes in Flint, Mich. that were linked to many health problems in that area.

Magushack said in compliance with EPA orders, an inventory of lead lines in the city has been done.

The city manager said earlier this year the city applied for millions in federal funds for the improvements but was denied.

Maguschak said one factor in that denial was that according to the most recent U.S. Census, the median annual income for Wellsburg residents is $43,000, making the city ineligible for money available for low-income areas.

In other business, on Tuesday, 4th Ward Councilman Charlie Harris asked Maguschak if street paving can be done this fall.

Maguschak said he’s awaiting reimbursement of funds used for the demolition of more than a dozen dilapidated structures through a grant from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Regulation.

To support the demolitions, he had allocated a portion of federal pandemic relief funds awarded to the city that may be used for the paving.

To prepare for the paving project, Maguschak has secured quotes from two contractors for several streets suggested by council members and others, but the work has not been advertised for bids.

Harris said the north end of Charles Street is in great need of paving.

But Maguschak and Mayor Dan Dudley noted plans to replace the water line and the possible replacement of a gas line there will require the street to be torn up.

Harris suggested splitting up the street so some areas can be addressed but questioned whether the city may be forced to postpone paving until spring.

In related business, Maguschak said all but two of 18 lots left vacant or nearly vacant with the demolitions were sold through public auctions held on Oct. 12. He said the remaining lots are at the corner of 22nd and Charles streets and on High Street.

Council members had set minimum bids of $1,000 or $2,000 for the lots, which are mostly in residential areas, because they didn’t want to assume the cost of insuring and maintaining the properties long-term.

Maguschak estimated about $29,000 was received in bids, which still must be approved by council on Nov. 12.

“I accepted $15,000 in deposits that I turned in to (Collector-Treasurer) Mary Ann (Habbit),” he added.

Harris also suggested raising the salary for the city’s police chief, from $30,000 to $50,000.

He said he thinks current chief Mike Allman, a former Brooke County sheriff, has done a good job and is well qualified, but a higher salary will help to attract candidates for the elected position in the future.

Harris noted a $3,000 raise was approved for the city collector-treasurer position in recent years when the city had difficulty retaining someone for it.

It was noted the city’s police officers are paid between $42,000 and $48,000 per year.

Third Ward Councilman Randy Fletcher said he doesn’t disagree, but city employees haven’t received a raise in six years.

Harris noted the raise can only be implemented in an election year, which occurs next year.

“Now is the time to start thinking about it,” he said.

Council also discussed its membership dues for the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle.

BDC Executive Director Anthony Clements attended the meeting to answer questions from council.

In 2014, the BDC acquired the former Brooke Glass factory on Sixth Street and has invested tens of thousands of dollars in rehabilitating it for future development.

Third Ward Councilman Tom Gaudio noted Fletcher had asked for a rented area behind the building to be cleaned up as a condition of the membership.

Clements said he thought the area had been addressed, and Dudley noted some effort has been made there.

He said finding an occupant for the building is challenging because it is in the floodplain and future use must be approved by the EPA and state Office of Historic Preservation, but the economic development agency continues to market it.

Council also is expected to consider the BDC membership at its next meeting.