Old news: A few weeks ago there was concern about possible water contamination linked to spraying along Rt. 39 coming into Marlinton. An inquiry was made following that meeting. There still being concern, I decided to share the following information. I have 18 pages of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) in my July file. (with 24 hours’ notice, it can be copied at 10 cents per page.) For immediate public information, I will summarize: this incident was not the West Virginia Department of Highways, as originally reported. It was a power company contractor using Polaris Herbicide. The Physical, Health, or Environmental Hazards are listed as non-hazardous. When not diluted, there could be issues with large spills. But, in diluted amounts as used to spray on roadsides, there is no public hazard. It is recommended that persons using the solutions wear protective clothing, keep away from eyes and the like. But, the bottom line is, “due to rapid photo-degradation by sunlight, water contamination is generally not of concern. More information can be obtained online.
Since we are talking water; on Thursday, September 15, at about 10 a.m., several residents came into the office at about the same time. Water customers on Hamilton Hill lost water pressure and within a few minutes other calls came in from lower Second and Third avenues concerning discolored water.
What happened?
The Knapp Creek intake that brings raw water into the water plant needs to be cleaned out from time-to-time. On Thursday, it was completely blocked. Blowing it out that morning took more water than normal. So, a line was run from a pumper truck to a hydrant for extra water. This happened at a time when the Cemetery Hill tank was manually shut off, due to a malfunction in an elevation valve. The EV balances with the Greenbrier Hill tank. As the Cemetery Hill tank level came down, Hamilton Hill lost pressure. When it was turned on again during the recovery process, it stirred sediment in the lines in lower Second and Third Avenue areas. Reports were that the water was clear again in about an hour. On Friday, September 16, the plant was shut down again for further cleaning. Grates were removed at intakes and a buildup of leaves and twigs were removed.
Other tasks are being applied, even as I write this week’s update. It is doing better, but, this is another on-going issue that will probably not be fully remedied until plant refurbishing is in progress.
Good news: Tudor’s Biscuit World began to turn out great breakfast biscuits last Monday and began to change traffic patterns and activity on Main Street at the same time. It is good to see lights on in the morning and cars parked along the street. This opening is good for them, and I believe competition is good for all of us.
Various other business:
The brush at the foot of Jenny Split has been cut back so drivers coming down that hill can see left from the Stop sign at 10th Avenue.
The Town held its auction on Fourth Avenue Saturday and got rid of some things, making room for more things. I want to thank Don Morrison for making the auction happen and for recruiting help from Nina, Angela and Randall. And thank you to Mark, Adam and Ben for their work.
West Virginia Make It Shine Awards entry forms and requirements came in for 2017 and have been shared with the Beautification Committee. I hope the committee is able to submit a project in the coming year.
Congratulations: The One Room University (ORU) in Marlinton is now in its 11th year.
Reminder: At the September 2015 MTC meeting, I reminded council and the visiting public to take advantage of every opportunity to invite people to visit Marlinton and Pocahontas County. Remember to invite any clubs or organizations, that you may belong to, to visit or hold a meeting here in the county. It is to the benefit of our local economy to be thinking about conventions, conferences and other wholesome family activities that attract people. Imagine our area having more Cruise-ins of classic cars or motorcycle rallies. These activities bring people and their dollars. Archery meets, spelunkers, hiking or camping outings create extra traffic and that is a good thing for our restaurants, shops and convenience stores.
Two are stronger than one.
Working together does make a difference.
Two Public Meetings:
I attended source water protection program training at Summersville August 25. Now, the SWPP is near completion. A public meeting is required before final certification. It will be held in the Municipal Auditorium on Monday, September 26, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Also, a Hazard Mitigation public meeting will be held Tuesday, September 27, at 6 p.m. in municipal building.
Note: Disability access is available using street level elevator entry at the back of the town building. Press level 2.
