photo by: Warren Scott

George Wilson addresses Follansbee City Council on Monday regarding an increase to the city’s water rates they approved later during that meeting.

On Monday, Follansbee Council heard from several residents with questions and concerns about increases to the city’s water rates but ultimately approved them, saying they are needed to provide the service.

With the unanimous vote, the minimum bill will be $24.21 per 1,500 gallons of water used per month by customers within the city and at Hooverson Heights and other suburban areas.

Customers using 3,400 gallons per month will see their bills rise from $38.39 to $54.88.

The comments came during a public hearing required before the second and final reading for the rate hikes.

Chrissy Sabol was among Hooverson Heights residents who said it seems unfair because those who live outside the city aren’t able to vote for the council members who make such decisions.

But such rate increases must be approved by the West Virginia Public Service Commission and may be formally protested through a petition by at least 25 percent of a municipal water or sewer utility provided that entity has fewer than 4,500 customer or annual gross revenue less than $3 million.

Such a petition may lead the commission to hold a public hearing on the matter.

Sabol said Hooverson Heights residents have endured disruption of services from numerous line breaks, with boil orders occurring as often as twice a week.

She questioned how much funding the city has received for water projects and how much has been allocated for that area.

Mayor Scott McMahon didn’t reply during the meeting but afterward said line breaks have been frequent downtown also.

He said funds were drawn from the city’s Urban Development Action Grant trust fund to address water issues at Hooverson Heights. The fund was established with in-lieu-of-tax payments related to development of the Wheeling-Nisshin Steel mill in 1986.

But McMahon noted the WVPSC expects water providers to be self-sufficient.

The city recently advertised for bids for work at the Hooverson Heights water treatment plant, including replacement of filter valves, pumps and a control panel and 110 linear feet of waterline.

Follansbee has been awarded $5.4 million by the Army Corps of Engineers for improvements to both its downtown and Hooverson Heights treatment systems.

In 1996, the city took over the latter from the Hooverson Heights Public Service District, which cited cost overruns from the $2.7 million completion of a new water plant that led it to raise its own water rates more than 200 percent.

Council heard from a few residents who said a minimum rate based on 1,500 gallons — up from the current 1,000 gallons — will create a hardship for senior citizens who use less.

City Attorney Michael Gaudio noted the change was suggested by an independent auditor working for the city.

City officials said earlier that few water providers in the state base customers’ usage on 1,000 gallons.

George Wilson asked why his mother’s bills were based on estimated usage until recently when she received a new meter, and said he’s learned others’ use has been estimated.

Wilson said while his mother’s use was low, there are others who may not have been paying for their full use.

“How many dollars have you let slide without getting an actual reading?” he asked.

Last year, council learned many of the water meters were malfunctioning, requiring city crews to read them manually.

City Manager Chis Manack-Stover said about 2,200 meters have been replaced and efforts are being made to replace others.

But McMahon said not all of the water use had to be estimated.

The mayor told attendees the rate hike isn’t something council relishes.

“No one likes to raise rates. This is something we were told to do,” he said.

McMahon noted they were recommended by the city’s water board last year but for reasons that aren’t clear, weren’t implemented by the previous council.

City officials said then they were needed to repair or replace aging infrastructure and to offset the loss of local industries, which had been major water customers before they closed.

McMahon said the increase is needed to prevent further loss of revenue for the water treatment system.

“The water department is losing hundreds of thousands of dollars a year,” said McMahon.

Following the meeting, he said, “We have to get the city on solid financial footing. The drain from the water department has affected every part of the city.”

Also on Monday, council agreed to pursue the construction of a new fire station on city-owned property behind the former Walgreen’s pharmacy.

It was noted the development could affect the outfield of a city ball field used by a local pony league.

Fifth Ward Councilman Joe Kafton, who represented council on a committee considering the relocation, said building a new station seems more practical than renovating the present one near the intersection of state Route 2 and Allegheny Street.

But 2nd Ward Councilman John Casinelli raised concerns about the station being moved from the lower end of town, costs for the new building and whether federal funds awarded for the renovations may be used for new construction.

“I just want something with official letterhead that says it’s OK,” he said.

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and former U.S. Senator Joe Manchin secured $2.7 million for the project.

Joe Edmiston, an independent grant writer working for the city, recently advised he will seek confirmation of $1.5 million in state funds expected for the city’s local match.

Following the meeting, Kafton said engineers with the project have indicated they can design a station within that budgetary framework.

A primary concern for the station had been the ability to house larger, modern fire vehicles. Previous designs called for the current station to be extended south onto a vacant city-owned lot to accommodate additional bays.

Kafton said the new site would provide adequate space and easy access to state Route 2.

Casinelli cast the lone dissenting vote, with the location approved by Kafton, 1st Ward Councilman Anthony D’Ulisse, 3rd Ward Councilman Nick Cekinovich, 4th Ward Councilman Rudy Cipriani and Councilman at large John Schwertfeger.

Also on Monday, McMahon acknowledged city crews for their efforts in plowing city streets following Saturday’s heavy snowfall and the work of Melissa Hood Benges of Hood’s Pharmacy and about 25 business sponsors behind the children’s Christmas party held Sunday.