City council entertains resolutions, resignations
All council members were present Monday evening at the first at the first regular municipal meeting since September, as the quorum moved to approve the payment of bills, authorized Mayor Dave Fox to sign various resolutions, and discussed upcoming events in the City of Sistersville.
Barbara Vincent spoke on behalf of the Sistersville Community Service Organization to request permission to hold the annual Christmas Parade. The event has been scheduled for Friday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. The theme of this years’ parade will be “Christmas Wonderland.”
Cash prizes will be awarded, with winning parade entries receiving $50 for first place, and second through fourth place, $25 each. Local groups, organizations and businesses are encouraged to participate in the parade and can contact Vincent at 304-652-2939 or Vice President, Carmen Silliman at 304-652-2392 for more information.
Vincent noted a change in the parade line-up for this year due to road construction at the city park. “The parade will line up on Riverside Drive, near the Little Sister Oil Well at 6:30 p.m.,” she said.
Mid Ohio Valley Regional Council Grant Coordinator Tim Meeks was on hand to update the council on the status of the water project. Although they were expecting the final drawdown, Meeks informed the mayor and members of council that they final invoice has not been received. Ongoing issues with contractor responsible for the work has prevented the project from being finalized, however, Meeks expects those matters to be resolved soon. “It should be resolved some time next week,” he said. “The contractor should have some incentive to get this work done.”
Noting the final payment has not been sent, Meeks added, ” I think they would have a sense of urgency.”
Recorder Diana Mace read a resolution for a water source project, which was approved by the council at-large.
Likewise, the council moved to approve a resolution for the ferryboat. “This is the $25,000 plus the $5,000 which has already been approved,” Mace explained, noting the vote was merely to finalized the funding.
The council also approved a resolution for funding for the installation of cameras in the Sistersville Police Department’s cruisers.
Continuing the discussion of funding, Meeks updated the council on the Hanford City water project, which the municipality sponsors. “I learned a few weeks back that in order for the City to close on the interim financing for the Hanford City sewer/water project, we must procure bond counsel.”
Meeks drafted a “request for proposal” which was submitted to various firms throughout the state. “Today was the deadline. I received five submittals,” he said. “It is my recommendation that you select Steptoe & Johnson.”
Meeks’ suggestion was based on the firm’s prior work on other projects. He also pointed out their estimate was significantly less than the other four he received.
Councilman Doug Williams asked a question related to the Hanford City. “Are the the lines that have been staked out set in stone? Is that exactly where they are going to run? The Sistersville Country Club was wanting to know.”
“It’s going right up through there,” Councilman Vance Ash commented.
Mayor Fox said, “You can’t go around it.”
Williams asked that someone contact a representative from the country club prior to future discussions regarding the project so they “remain in the loop.”
Vincent spoke once again on behalf of the Sistersville Planning Committee, stating the group had accepted the resignation of Harold Dally. Dally’s seat on the board will be filled by Connie Boyd. “She will serve out the remainder of his term,” Vincent said. Dally’s term will expire February 2013.
Council likewise accepted the resignation and replacement.
“We want to start to work on some of these houses, as soon as we find out the correct process,” Vincent said, speaking on the matter of deteriorating houses in the city.
“Dave White will be your inspector,” Fox said. “He’s in New Martinsville.”
Vincent also discussed a few community projects the Planning Commission will spearhead in the Spring. “We would like to do some work down at the park,” she said. “The roof on the large shelter looks bad, and we’d like to work that into our plan.”
This project, as well as the roof over the baby pool and some other minor repairs will be completed with community improvement funds.
Under finance, the governing body moved to pay the bills for the months of September and October. Councilman Curtis Heintzman outlined the bills for Sistersville General Hospital and the city. According to his report, accounts payable for SGH during the month of September totaled $514,782.55; payroll totaled $452,177.47. For October, accounts payable totaled 272,365.25; and payroll totaled $295,311.
The municipal bills for September totaled $42,104.95; and $73,366.56 in October.
In other business, the council discussed the closure of the ferry for the season. Friday, Nov. 18 will be the final day of operation for the season.
Mayor Fox asked the council to approve the use of funds in the Christmas light savings to repair and light additional displays for the park. This will leave $50 in the account.
Donations to the Sistersville Christmas Light Fund will be accepted. Checks should be made payable to City of Sistersville or Sistersville Christmas Light Fund.
Sistersville Police Chief Ben Placer discussed the fundraiser his department sponsored to raise funds to offset the expense of a new cruiser. The offers sold more than 900 raffle tickets to win a Savage Arms 308 or a Savage Arms 30-06. After everything was paid, the department made a profit of $2,520. “It’s a good start,” Placer commented.
The winner of the raffle was Tamara Kuhn. Her name was drawn at random by Mayor Fox during the meeting.
Placer added that more fundraisers are in the works. “The Wells Inn contacted me and they would like to sponsor a spaghetti dinner for us some time after the first of the year. This will be at no cost to us.”
Before adjourning the council accepted the resignation of Councilwoman Jolene Sidenstricker, effective Dec. 31. In her letter, Sidenstricker explained she felt her seat should be filled by someone who had more time to dedicate to the council and committees.