MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Commissioners in Monongalia County are considering a contingency plan for trash and recycling services, received an update on new traffic lights in Granville, and heard an update on the campaign against blight.
Monongalia County Litter Control Officer Alex Hall expressed concern about the contract negotiations underway between the city of Morgantown and Republic Services over an increase in fees at the transfer station. The requested increase is a concern for Morgantown issues due to complaints about Republic Services over the life of their contract with the city. Hall believes the county should move forward with a contingency to protect the county and residents if the negotiations fail and Republic Services pulls out of the area.
“It may be time for us to sit down to iron out some kind of a contingency plan if they were to reallocate funds away from the recycling program they run or if they were to shut down the transfer station in general,” Hall said.
Granville Mayor Patty Lewis told commissioners the traffic signal poles for University Town Center are now in production, about one month early. The lights—one on University Town Centre Drive between the Walmart and a second down the hill to serve customers entering University Town Centre Drive from Panda Express, Chik-fil-A, and Wendy’s. Although it’s not clear when the lights will be operational, this is welcome news for a project that has been a work in progress since September of 2021.
“This week they were to start preparing the pads to set the poles, and I hope the weather cooperates. I know the equipment is up there,” Lewis said.
Commissioners also approved a request from the Scott’s Run Volunteer Fire Department for $13,072.70 to pay for repairs to a fire apparatus from the county emergency contingency fund. This was the first of funds from money that was allocated to support fire departments and EMS services during a special session.
It was recommended by the Monongalia County Volunteer Firefighters Association as we’ve asked them to review these requests and send us recommendations,” Arnett said. “Based on that, I say we should approve it.”
Litter Control Officer Alex Hall also said recent security breaches at the recycling site have them considering enhanced security measures. No damage was reported, but people have accessed the facility after hours.
“They’re actually climbing through the fence to use the recycling bins,” Hall said. “We had talked about replacing that fencing at one point and placing more cameras to get more angles.”
Hall also recognized the efforts of the Abandoned and Dilapidated Property Enforcement Agency and the cleanup of Rock Forge Lane off Earl Core Road. Hall said the agency has been able to work with the property owner to remediate one property and demolish three others.
“It looks like an entirely different neighborhood,” Hall said.” There are obviously some things the board is working on, but I would encourage you to drive out there and look at what the board was able to accomplish in the last year.”