KINGWOOD — Kingwood Council has agreed to take ownership of a Price Street building it sought to have repaired or demolished.
The owner of the building, Nathan Satzer, offered the building to the town. At Tuesday’s meeting, council voted unanimously to accept the building. Earlier it asked the city attorney to do deed research on the structure and hired an environmental inspector to test the structure.
Results of the tests have not been received yet.
Councilman Mike Lipscomb, who attended the inspection, said Tuesday the former Halls Carpet building is not in good condition. The sidewalk in front of it has been roped off for more than a year, while council pursued a solution.
Mayor Jean Guillot said he would like to have something done with the building before Preston County celebrates its bicentennial June 16. A celebration is planned on Price Street that day.
Council also agreed to proceed with an application for a West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection grant that could provide $5,000 toward the building demolition. Council will have to match the $5,000, if the grant is approved.
Main Street Kingwood Director Karen Kurilko offered her help Tuesday with any grants Kingwood is interested in, so council asked her to help with this one.
Also at the meeting, council:
- asked the city attorney to provide an amendment to the city’s garbage ordinance that would require customers to use garbage bags. Currently trash can be placed loose in cans, and city workers have to chase it when it blows away.
- divided receipts from the excess levy, with $45,000 going to streets, $30,000 to parks and recreation, and $10,000 to storm sewers.
- increased salaries for city parks and recreation workers. These workers did not get raises that were approved last month for other city workers. Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Stiles will now make $17 per hour; the bookkeeper and secretary, $11 per hour.
- the city clerk said letters were sent to seven people whose sidewalks need repairs.
