Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
At Monday night’s Marlinton Town Council meeting, Marlinton Fire Chief Herby Barlow shared details about several grants the department has received and explained how the funds will be used.
First, Barlow reported that, after two years of waiting, a 2024 ambulance will be delivered mid-spring 2024 and will replace the 2008 ambulance currently in service.
“The new ambulance is being paid for from the money we received from the state,” he said. “We bought a fire truck with part of it and bought the ambulance with the remainder. There will be a sticker on the side of the truck stating that it was paid for by the grant.”
Barlow added that the department received a $265,000 Assistance to Firefighters Grant from FEMA, with the support of Senators Joe Manchin and Shelly Moore Capito. This funding will be used to purchase 32 new self- contained breathing apparatuses and 64 new [oxygen] bottles.
Another $2,000 grant, from the United States Forest Service, will be used to purchase two leaf blowers and 10 wildland helmets.
“The two leaf blowers will be used for our wildland fires,” Barlow explained. These new Sthil 800s will cut down to the dirt. They’re very nice, and if you have to fight a wildland fire, that’s the first thing you want to grab.”
Barlow also mentioned that the department was recently reimbursed labor and material costs by an individual who had a HAZMAT incident to which the department was called. He said the individual was very pleased with the department’s work to contain the incident.
Council thanked Barlow for the update and congratulated the department on receiving the grant awards.
In other action, council approved the following:
• to enforce the animal ordinance as it stands and to not move forward with the chicken ordinance suggested by resident David Bethany. The vote on the matter was 4-3.
• the first reading of the purchasing without competitive bidding ordinance.
• to accept the bid from Hamilton Fencing Company to construct the fencing at the town garage.
• to close the alley beside the former C.J. Richardson building and to enter a 25-year lease agreement for the alley with Revitalizing Marlinton, with the option to renew after 25 years.
• to have a public safety fee ordinance drawn up and ready for discussion at the next meeting.
• Trunk or Treat in town will be Tuesday, October 31, 5 to 7 p.m. on Third Avenue.
• to have Olivia Dean organize a town Christmas decorating contest.
• to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between town council and Greenbrier Foundation for grant funds for park benches.
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.
