Jason Bauserman
Contributing Writer
Several projects in Durbin that have been neglected for decades are now receiving attention.
At the October 10 Durbin Town Council meeting, Mayor Kenny Lehman and council had the third and final reading to accept the $2.8 million new sewer line system throughout the incorporated town.
Lehman produced five forms requiring a signature to receive $2.3 million in grants from the United States Department of Agriculture and the Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council.
Upon signing, the mayor remarked, “I feel like I’m signing my life away.”
Local contractor Clement Lehman just started laying and repointing bricks on the upper northwest corner of the historic Durbin Town Hall. He will also shore up some roof rafters.
The Appalachian Forest Heritage Area with their Hands on Team will repair and repaint all 33 windows over a period of time.
For several weeks the DTC ran an ad in the Legal Advertisements of The Pocahontas Times for Durbin Days Heritage Festival for the paid position of coordinator and four committee members. Lehman opened a letter expecting a reply to the ad. The letter was a pleasant surprise to everyone in the chambers. It was sent September 17 and was from Diana Collins, wife of Pastor David Collins.
“I am writing to see how we can assist in the beautification and pride of Durbin. I teach the youth Sunday School class at the Durbin Church of the Brethren, and they would like to be a part of the solution to improve the image.”
“Townspeople need to help us,” Councilman Mark Smith said.
He went on to say that Durbin Days Heritage Festival is going to die with no coordinator or committee members. There has been no response to the ad. The coordinator is a paid position. From the four volunteer committee members, two must be from the town.
The letter from the church youth group should be an inspiration to all of us to get involved.
The Durbin Town Council has been in contact with the West Virginia Department of Highways to ditch between U.S. 250 and the railroad tracks. Asphalt on many of the streets in Durbin needs repaired. The town asked the DOH to repair these streets under the Orphan Road agreement.
The town has two old trucks they would like to sell. The town is currently looking for another truck from the WVDOH surplus in Buckhannon. Councilman Eugene Warner noted the sale was coming up that week but council could ask that the DOH hold one for them.
The new drop box for paying town bills is now located on the door to the garage. Please drop your envelope in sideways, not long-ways.
Trick or Treat in Durbin is Wednesday, October 31, 5 to 7 p.m.
