Extra Money for Water Line OK'D
Posted on: Thursday, 15 May 2008, 09:00 CDT
By Cassie Shaner, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.
May 15--THE MONONGALIA County Commission meets in regular session at 10 a.m. Wednesday, in County Commission chambers, Monongalia County Courthouse, 243 High St. TO CONTRIBUTE money, materials or services to the repairs at the Scotts Run Parks and Recreation building, contact Jim Wassick at 692-2288.
The Monongalia County Commission approved an additional $3,000 for repairs to a rusted water line near the Scotts Run Parks and Recreation building Wednesday, but a community representative says it won't be enough.
Jim Wassick, vice president of Scotts Run Parks and Recreation, urged commissioners Wednesday to allocate additional funds for excavation work at the site. The commission approved $5,200 to replace a section of pipe last winter, but Wassick stopped the repairs when he realized the damage was more extensive than he initially thought.
Commissioner Asel Kennedy asked Wassick at Wednesday's meeting how much more money would be necessary to replace the line, but Wassick said he couldn't be sure until excavation work is done to determine the extent of the damage.
"There's no way of knowing until it's dug up," Wassick said. "We're at a standstill now."
Wassick estimated that excavation work will cost about $100 per hour. Kennedy indicated that new pipe costs about $1,200 for a 20-foot section.
Kennedy first suggested an additional $2,000 to pay for more replacement pipe and excavation work. He then increased his offer to $3,000 when Wassick indicated that $2,000 wouldn't be enough.
"We can't have an unending amount of money," Kennedy said. "I need to know."
Wassick agreed to Kennedy's second offer, which would pay for enough pipe to replace at least 26 feet of the existing line and some excavation work.
But Wassick said he will still need help from the community -- including donations of manpower, money, pipe, gravel or excavation equipment -- to get the project finished.
"I'm doing my best," Wassick said. "We're going to get it done. It's just figuring out how."
According to Wassick, the land the water line runs through was donated to the community by CONSOL Energy in the 1970s. The damaged pipes at issue were once part of coal company oil tanks and converted for use as water lines in the '70s, when Wassick was a child.
But years of erosion and rain storms have rusted the pipes, resulting in flooding that filled the building -- which once belonged to the local fire department -- with about 4 feet of water earlier this year.
Because earlier work on the water line left a ditch in front of the building about 9 feet deep, Wassick said, the building cannot be used and the park area next to the building has been closed because it is a dangerous area for children to play in.
"It's all for the kids," Wassick said. "We're trying to get it open for the kids this summer, but I don't think it's going to happen."
The Scotts Run Park and Recreation building is used for public meetings and private events in the Scotts Run area. Funds raised from rental of the facility are used for operation and maintenance costs only.
Wassick said 100 percent of the donations he receives to repair the water line will go toward that project.
Other business
In other business, the commission:
Signed a grant agreement with the state Division of Criminal Justice Services to provide about $54,000 for a preventive resources officer at University High School, starting in the 2008-'09 school year.
Under the contract, the state will provide about $54,000 for the officer's first-year salary and benefits, plus training costs, if the commission agrees to split the cost of the officer's second-year salary and benefits -- about $53,000 -- with the Monongalia County Board of Education.
Approved formal complaints against Joseph Jordan and Dave O'Neil Sr., two property owners recommended by the county's Abandoned and Dilapidated Property Enforcement Agency.
Each property owner has 60 days to clean up his property before the county begins assessing a $100 fine for each day the issue is not resolved. If it's not taken care of within 90 days, the commission can take the property owner to court.
Jordan was cited for property on Grafton Road, while O'Neil was cited for property on Fairchance Road.
Heard concerns from Eileen
Schmidt, of Lakeside Estates, about an altered traffic pattern at the intersection of W.Va. 705 and Stewartstown Road. The change permits traffic to go straight in the righthand lane on W.Va. 705 that was previously reserved for right turns only. Traffic turning right onto W.Va. 705 from Stewartstown Road is now required to yield.
"My concern is, one, there's been no public notification, except for two flags on that yield sign," Schmidt said, noting that an accident occurred at the intersection Monday evening. "There will be more."
Commission President Bob Bell said he would address the issue at a meeting of the Greater Morgantown Metropolitan Planning Organization's policy board Thursday. He asked Schmidt to attend the meeting to explain her concerns.
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Source: The Dominion Post (Morgantown, W.Va.)
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