Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
If Monday evening’s Marlinton Town Council meeting had a theme, it would have been water. The agenda was filled with items concerning the town’s water – whether it be updates on the new system project or discussions about the lack of maintenance on the town’s fire hydrants.
Marlinton Volunteer Fire Department Chief Herby Barlow addressed council with his concerns regarding the hydrants. He asked council to provide him with a plan for the yearly flow testing, as well as a plan to replace or repair several hydrants that have been in disrepair for years.
“I want to know what your plan is as far as testing, and I’d also like to comment that the hydrants have not been painted in several years. We have our hydrants a specific color because of flow rates.”
Barlow explained that the hydrant tops are color coded according to the water flow rates for each one. When the hydrants are needed by the fire department, they know that the hydrants with blue and green tops have a high flow rate, while the black tops signify the hydrants are low flow.
Mayor Sam Felton said he asked water plant operator Sam Dunn to look into getting parts to repair the hydrants. Dunn said one of the companies he has worked with in the past no longer helps with actual repairs, but does have parts he can purchase.
Dunn added that it is an estimated $10,000 per fire hydrant to replace those that cannot be repaired.
Barlow said he has a list of hydrants that need replaced or repaired – a list that has been around for more than a decade.
“We’ve got hydrants that were damaged and taken completely out in areas where we really need that hydrant back,” he said. “One was hit at the library – it was hit by a car and instead of fixing it, they concreted the whole thing. The same issues that are on the list today were on the list when my dad was testing them fifteen years ago.”
Barlow said the fire department used to do the flow testing, but the town took over several years ago, adding that it is the responsibility of the water company to test and maintain the hydrants. He added that the fire department doesn’t have the manpower it used to and is unable to assist with testing and maintenance.
“The hydrants aren’t getting any attention, in my opinion,” he said. “They look terrible. We don’t have the manpower to go out and do it like we used to years ago to test them ourselves.”
Felton said he could sympathize with the fire department’s issues and said the town has an issue with manpower, as well.
Felton turned his attention to Thrasher representatives Clay Riley and Fred Hypes, who were at the meeting to discuss the water/sewer project. He asked the gentlemen if there were any programs that could assist with the hydrant issue.
Hypes said there is a possibility the town could apply for a critical needs grant which might help to replace some of the hydrants. He explained that the town was granted critical needs assistance with the sewer system project.
Felton asked Hypes and Riley to work with him on the critical needs application.
Riley and Hypes then gave an update on the water/sewer project and said they are in the process of drawing up a design. Hypes explained that Thrasher has been working on three separate projects in town – the storm sewer network, sanitary sewer upgrade and the second phase of the water improvement project.
One other water related concern was mentioned by councilmember Joe Smith, who requested the town turn off the splash pad Thursday through Saturday of Pioneer Days due to the activities scheduled to take place at Discovery Junction.
After a discussion in which the majority expressed they did not think the splash pad would cause that big of a disturbance, Smith told Felton to move on with the agenda and the concern was dropped.
During the hear public comment portion of the meeting, David Bethany returned with results from his survey in which he asked town residents how they felt about individuals having chickens on their property in town. Bethany said 86 percent of the people surveyed said they agreed that residents should be allowed to have chickens as long as there were no roosters. Bethany said 50 people were surveyed.
In other action, council approved:
• Town resolution committing the town to 20 percent matching funds if/when the Sidewalk Grant is awarded.
• Kroger Settlement Agreement and Execution of West Virginia local government election release form.
Marlinton Town Council meets the first Monday of each month, excluding holidays, at 7 p.m. in the municipal building auditorium. The public is welcome to attend in person or online through a Zoom link.
