MORGANTOWN — About 24 hours after an estimated 300 people packed a community meeting opposed to the City of Morgantown’s annexation plan, a handful showed up to deliver the message personally during Tuesday’s Morgantown City Council meeting.
One question raised multiple times by the seven or so speakers who addressed the topic focused on why the city’s annexation plan specifically excludes Mylan Pharmaceuticals while targeting the surrounding area.
Matt Gutta, a local attorney, said he understands why the city would be leery of forcing annexation on Mylan, but recommended the 12,830 residents and 367 business that are included be given that same consideration.
“Mylan Pharmaceuticals is one of the most integral entities to this community and it needs to be left alone,” Gutta said. “What I am advocating for is that any individual resident or small business that desires to be afforded the same treatment should be afforded that standard of review.”
The city is accepting public feedback on its plan to annex about 3.8 square miles by minor boundary adjustment through June. Details of the annexation plan and information on how to provide comment to the city is available at bit.ly/mgwannex.
Hard copies can be picked up at Morgantown City Hall, the Morgantown Public Library on Spruce Street and the Monongalia County Senior Center, located in the Mountaineer Mall.
The city has also planned four public townhall sessions on annexation to be held:
- July 11 — 6-8 p.m. in the North Elementary School Gym
- July 15 — 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the BOPARC Marilla Center
- July 18 — 1-3 p.m. in the Morgantown Municipal Airport ARFF Training Room
- July 22 6-8 p.m. at the Morgantown Event Center Mariott
It was explained the format of these meetings has yet to be determined and that more meetings may be scheduled if the public interest is sufficient.
In other city news, the Morgantown Utility Board will not recommend a route for a raw water pipeline through White Park when it meets on Thursday, as previously indicated.
In a letter to council, MUB General Manager Tim Ball explained testing for potential contaminants along the two preferred routes has been delayed and likely won’t begin until Monday.
Ball said it is not yet known when MUB will be able to make a route recommendation to city council.
Also on Tuesday:
- It was explained the city is working with Mountain Line to place three new bus shelters — two in the city’s downtown and one near the White Park ball diamonds.
- Council approved a change in traffic control measures at the intersection of Laurel Street, Parkview Street and Elmhurst Drive. Going forward, stop signs will be placed at the intersection on Elmhurst and Parkview, instead of Laurel.
- In its final meeting as currently constituted, council recognized the contributions of outgoing members Mark Brazaitis and Ryan Wallace. As the new council takes over July 2, there will not be a committee of the whole meeting this month.
