Trending
FOLLANSBEE -- Mayor David Velegol Jr. gave Follansbee Council an update Monday on three projects currently in development and time was taken by all to remember a long-time public servant who has died.
Velegol announced Joe Edmiston, an independent grant writer employed by the city, has secured $2.7 million in state funds to match the $10.2 million federal grant awarded to the city for improvements to the wastewater treatment system.
Velegol acknowledged the city had taken a loan for the match but said that may be used to cover any costs that exceed the initial estimate for the project, which includes upgrades to the sewer plant, pump stations at the south end and near the fire station and the separation of combined sanitary and stormwater sewer lines.
The latter has been ordered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of cities throughout the nation.
Velegol said Ghosh Engineering, which designed the project, is expected to advertise for a contractor within the next two months.
He added the engineering firm also met recently with the Army Corps of Engineers, which has awarded a
$3.1 million grant for improvements to the city’s water treatment system.
Velegol said the first of three proposed phases, which includes upgrades to the city’s downtown and Hooverson Heights water plants and some main lines, is expected to begin in June.
He said other grants will be sought for the other two phases, which include more line replacement and the installation of valves to reduce the number of customers without service when line breaks occur.
The mayor also announced $2.7 million has been secured by U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.; and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. for renovations to the fire station and work there could start in two or three months.
Designs by M&G Architects and Engineers of Wheeling call for the existing building to be extended south to allow the creation of three larger bays for the fire department’s vehicles and a larger apron in front to provide more room for the trucks to pull in and out.
They also include rooms dedicated to the repair and storage of turnout gear and other equipment, a fitness room for all city employees and a 720-square-foot training room that also may be rented for private events.
A deteriorating floor spurred the project, which will be funded also with $50,000 generated each year by a 1% sales tax adopted by the city in 2017.
Council also observed a moment of silence for Nina Meca, who died on March 5 at the age of 87. Meca served in the City Building’s business office for 27 years, retiring as office manager. In that time, she organized the city’s senior Christmas party, visits by the Easter Bunny outside the City Building and other events and served as acting city manager while city officials were seeking a new one.
Following her retirement, she represented the city’s 1st Ward on council for several years. She also co-chaired the Follansbee Community Days committee for many years, was a volunteer for Valley Hospice, was active in St. Anthony Catholic Church and various civic groups and was known for planting flowers at the city’s welcome sign.
For her service to the community, Meca was presented with the Order of the 35th Star, the highest honor given to a citizen by the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office, in 2004.