The Grantsville Town Council met on Monday, October 2nd, 2023 in the Grantsville City Office on Main Street.
Mayor Robert Petrovsky called the meeting to order and following the Pledge of Allegiance the meeting began with the approval of two September meeting minutes.
Resident Gayle Ford addressed the council to ask about the protocol for selling products in town on the side of the road. The Mayor and council advised that a business license was needed and the costs depended upon the size of space necessary to accommodate their sales.
Mayor’s Communication:
Mayor Petrovsky advised the Council that “New Housing of West Virginia,” a business currently located in the J & B Drug Store building on Main Street was requesting to rent the second story of the City Office building for $900 monthly, utilities included.
The Mayor also provided an update on the City Park, reporting that the the Roof on the Bathroom and pavilion, a garage door and fencing around the tennis court would be completed before winter. The local Pickleball Club has reached their fundraising goal of $6000 for the resurfacing of the tennis/pickle ball courts.
The 1982 Foundation will be providing paint for the WV State Police side of the City Office Building which will likely be painted WVSP Green and Gold. The large County map that is on the front of their side of the building will be repurposed by giving it to the County Government to use at their discretion. The Mayor wanted his appreciation known to B. Miller for donating the lift that assisted in painting the Town’s side of the building.
Mayor Petrovsky has been seeking information regarding the lease of an excavator to be used by City Utility staff. The City has currently been borrowing an excavator from the Pleasant Hill PSD, which has been much appreciated, but the Mayor feels that the City needs one that will be there at all times when necessary. The cost of the lease would be $846 monthly, not including the trailer for transport. The trailer would be an additional $8,000. The current larger excavator will remain at the Water Plant for the removal of sediment bags, the John Deer Tractor will be sold and replaced with a smaller mower, and the side by side, used for shuttling street staff will possibly be sold at a later date. After discussion the excavator was tabled for further consideration.
Councilwoman Cheryl Sturms reported that their committee had received $16,944.29 in Donations for the City Park renovations. There is still a possibility of funding for playground equipment to come from a Sisters of St. Joseph Grant that the city applied for.
Jake Frady, of the Mid Ohio Valley Regional Council presented an invoice for payment on the Water Project from Steptoe & Johnson, Attorneys which was approved for payment. Frady also informed the Mayor and Council that the future Water project for which the City continues to seek funding, did not get funded by the Army Corp of Engineers. They do continue to have hopes for 2 million in Congressional funding that is still available. In closing Mr. Frady informed the Council that he is leaving MOVRC for a job working for the City of Parkersburg.
Afterwards Mayor Petrovsky questioned Mr. Frady if he knew anything about the 3M Class action suit. If Grantsville water system is eligible for the proposed PFAS class action settlements and does not opt out before the deadline, which may be as early as November 2023, it will automatically become a settlement participant. However, the system will not automatically receive a share of the settlement payments unless they’ve completed the appropriate steps and submit claim paperwork within the allowed timeframe. Furthermore, settlement participants will not be able to file additional lawsuits against 3M or DuPont over PFAS water contamination, even if they do not receive settlement payments. The chemical and manufacturing giant 3M reached a $10.3 billion settlement in June with U.S. cities and towns over their claims that the company contaminated drinking water with so-called forever chemicals used in everything from firefighting foam to nonstick coatings. Mayor Petrovsky said he intended on following through with filing for the Town of Grantsivlle.
All council members approved the lease of the City Building 2nd floor by New Housing of West Virginia of $900 monthly to begin in November.
Trick or Treat in Grantsville was determined to be on Saturday, October 28th, 2023 between 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Arnoldsburg will hold their trick or treat on October 28th, between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. in the Arnoldsburg area.
The final action of the meeting taken by the Town Council was to accept an Audit proposal from Steven Glacier to do a single yearly audit for $7125. A separate audit was also approved following a proposal by Book Keeping and Tax Solutions, LP to audit the yearly financial records for $1,500 which will include General, Coal Severance and ARPA funding for 2022 and 2023.
