Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
It was that time of year again, time for Marlinton fire chief Herby Barlow to ask Marlinton Town Council about the testing and maintenance of fire hydrants within town limits.
At Monday night’s council meeting, Barlow asked council what, if any, plans have been made to flow test the hydrants. A question he has been asking for several years.
“I didn’t get put on the agenda because every time I do, I get the same answer,” he said. “I’m just here to remind you of hydrant testing, hydrant maintenance.
“You’ve done nothing for years. Something needs to be done. Last fall you said you were going to start testing during the winter, and I said there was no sense in that. Spring’s here, it’s time to test them.”
Just like he did last year, Mayor Sam Felton turned to Fred Hypes, of Dunn Engineering, who was in attendance to discuss the sewer and water system projects. Felton asked Hypes if the hydrants were included in the system project.
“We are proceeding with a design for the water, sewer and stormwater simultaneously and part of that project is going to be to replace a bunch of these hydrants,” Hypes said. “As far as the testing, we can work with the town to do what needs to be done with that.”
Barlow asked if that meant a third party would come in and test the hydrants and Hypes said that is a possibility.
“Herby has come to me for two years,” Felton said.
“It’s been longer than that, Sam,” Barlow interjected.
“Well, I know, but I didn’t pay a lot of attention the first year, but I have the last two years, Herb,” Felton responded. “The fact of the matter is that we were led to believe at one point in time – I know that we’d always done every year in the past or the fire company has as a matter of fact – but then we did not really believe we had to do that except for once every three years.”
Felton said he thought it was possible for the town to do the testing every three years instead of every year, but he learned that was not the case.
He then went on to recall what was discussed last year, including asking the fire crew from Alderson State Prison to come do the testing or to have a third party do the testing, instead of having the town do it.
“If we get a third-party vendor or company in and do that, I think that’s the best way to do it,” Felton said. “We’re operating with a skeleton crew half the time. That’s another story.”
Barlow said he disagreed and added that the fire department did the testing when it had a skeleton crew and asked Felton how many town employees there were.
The question was left unanswered.
“It’s the town’s responsibility,” Barlow said. “The water plant’s responsibility to maintain it. There are hydrants that are on that list that need repaired that my dad put on that list and he’s been dead since 2005. Come on. I’ve been nice. I’m tired of it. It’s my responsibility when we have a fire, okay. If you want someone else to do my job – by all means.
“I’m tired of coming here,” he continued. “My next step is writing a letter to the task force that Governor Justice put in to make sure [hydrants are] tested.”
Felton said he agreed with Barlow and said the town needs to make a schedule and make sure there is follow through this time.
Barlow reiterated that he was tired of asking for the testing and maintenance to be done and said if nothing was done by the end of spring, he was going to write to the fire hydrant task force.
“And I don’t blame you,” Felton said.
The meeting turned to the agenda items and town attorney Susan Riggs led council through the first reading of a proposed bond ordinance which will authorize three bonds to pay for the sewer and water project.
“This ordinance authorizes the design, acquisition and construction of your sewer project,” she said.
Council discussed the ordinance and while there were concerns about the rate increase for services, the first reading was approved as follows:
• Proposed bond ordinance authorizing the issuance of not more than $800,000 in aggregate principal amount of combined waterworks and sewerage system Design Revenue Bonds, Series 2025 A (West Virginia CWSRF Program); not more than $3,750,000 in aggregate principal amount of combined waterworks and sewerage system Revenue Bonds, Series 2025 B (West Virginia CWSRF Program/Principal Forgiveness); and not more than $6,325,000 in aggregate principal amount of combined waterworks and sewerage system Revenue Bonds, Series 2025 C (West Virginia CWSRF Program), collectively the “Series 2025 Bonds.” The Series 2025 Bonds will be issued in three series, the first of which Series 2025 A Bonds will be used to (i) pay a portion of the costs of design, and other pre-construction activities of certain additions, betterment sand improvements to the existing public sewerage system of the issuer; and (ii) to pay costs of issuance and related costs. The Series 2025 Bonds are payable solely from revenues to be derived from the ownership and operation of the combined waterworks and sewerage system of the town.
Council also approved:
• the third and final reading of changes to the general penalty ordinance.
• the first reading of a Proposed Ordinance providing for monthly billing of rates, charges and fees for sewer services, and providing for increased rates, charges and fees for sewer services for all customers of the municipally owned and operated sewer utility of the Town of Marlinton. The increase is necessary for the payment of system operations and debt service in order to ensure that continuous, safe and adequate sewer service is provided to all sewer customers.
• the first reading of a Proposed Ordinance providing for monthly billing of rates, charges and fees for water services, and providing for increased rates, charges and fees for water services for all customers of the municipally owned and operated water utility of the Town of Marlinton. The increase is necessary for the payment of system operations and debt service in order to ensure that continuous, safe and adequate water service is provided to all water customers.
• the formation of a citizen committee to plan the Nation’s 250th Birthday Celebration on July 4, 2026.
• support for the Monday Lick Trail Grand Opening celebration May 16-18.
• to advertise for request for bids and specifications for picnic shelter at the Roger L. Trusler Memorial Park.
Council also discussed Olivia Dean’s request to open the alley on 10th Street so she can establish three to four camping lots on her property. Councilmember Joe Smith said he was opposed because it would cut into his yard.
After a discussion and review of the map, council agreed to have a special meeting Monday, March 10, to discuss and act on the issue, giving council time to look at the map and see the property that will be up for discussion.
Prior to ending the meeting, council went into executive session to discuss employee wages for the fiscal year 2026. Councilmembers Olivia Dean and Scott Gibb recused themselves from the discussion as they are also town employees.