Jaynell Graham
Editor
After years of planning, designing and finding funding sources, Wayne Hypes, president of Dunn Engineering, advised Marlinton Town Council, at its Monday night meeting, that bids had been accepted for the town’s Water Improvement Project.
Orders Construction, of St. Albans, was the successful bidder for the work at the water plant, and Mid-Atlantic Storage, of Washington Courthouse, Ohio, will handle the water tanks portion of the project. Both of these companies have worked on other projects for the town.
Hypes said there was one more battle going on, in that everyone in the office wants to come to Marlinton to oversee the project, because there is good fishing here.
Vacant Lot Committee Chairman Joe Smith asked council to approve six additional members to that committee.
“They have been involved from the beginning,” Smith said. “I would like to appoint them to continue to work with us as part of the committee.”
They are: Luci Mosesso, David Moore, Brittney Harris, Kristen LeCroy, Kristen Beverage-Doss and Cynthia Sandeno.
The council will add approval of the members to the May agenda.
Town attorney Bob Martin reported to council about the work that is being done with regard to vacant properties and abandoned cars.
“We are dealing with the most visible infractions first,” Martin said. “There are three buildings on Upper Tannery Row, which are unsafe structures.”
Letters have gone out to the property owners, and most of them agree that something needs to be done. One owner has applied for a demolition permit.
“I’m very optimistic that you will see some ready results from the meetings the mayor, building inspector and I have had,” Martin said.
The three of them have identified abandoned vehicles in and around the town that need to be removed. Each of them have outdated inspection stickers, one as old as 2004.
“Money is being spent to encourage tourists to use the [Greenbrier River] Trail, and as they enter the town, the first thing they see is Upper Tannery Row,” he said.
The meeting was also the venue for a Public Hearing on the Proposed Bond Ordinance for the Water Improvement Project. As there were no comments offered from those in attendance, the council moved on to its third and final reading of the ordinance, which was adopted.
Council continued its discussion with regard to an increase in fees for perpetual care for lots at Mountain View Cemetery. This increase will only affect lots that are sold in the future. It will have no effect on lots that have already been purchased.
Discussion of the establishment of a pet cemetery in an area adjacent to Mt. View was tabled awaiting more research.
In other business, council
• adopted the 2018 International Building Code
• will seek submissions for a seal for the Town of Marlinton. The details will be advertised, and it is hoped the seal will be approved and in use prior to Pioneer Days in July. Bob Martin and his wife, Melanie, will fund the $250 award for the winning design.
Council meets the first Monday of each month, other than holidays, at 7 p.m. in council chambers on the second floor of the Marlinton Municipal Building.
