MORGANTOWN — The Monongalia County Commission approved a funding request totaling $14,341 from the Mountaineer Boys & Girls Club on Wednesday.
Commissioner Sean Sikora said the non-profit plans to use the money to purchase a new transport van. He said the city of Morgantown has also been contacted about assisting with the purchase, half of which will be paid by the Boys & Girls Club.
“This will allow them to buy the van immediately. Then, at some future time, if the city agrees, they could reimburse us half of that,” Sikora said.
It was also explained that the commission will cover half the cost of three pedestrian safety projects to be completed prior to the return of WVU students this fall.
The commission previously approved up to $15,000 for the work. The actual cost to the county looks to be about $12,150.
The projects are the result of a collaborative effort between Morgantown, Monongalia County and WVU formed in the wake of two serious vehicle/pedestrian accidents in 2018, one of which resulted in the death of 21-year-old WVU student Leah Berhanu.
The projects will include new solar, pedestrian-activated signals and pedestrian markings in front of Pizza Al’s on University Avenue, on Campus Drive by WVU’s life sciences building and at a busy student crossing on Falling Run Road.
The county is splitting the cost of the upgrades with WVU. Morgantown is providing the labor.
Also on Wednesday, the commission approved its annual intergovernmental agreements that allow the county to provide dog warden services to Morgantown, Granville, Star City and Westover.
County Administrator Rennetta McClure said the municipalities will be charged $134.99 per call. Last year Morgantown had 217 calls while Westover had 20, Granville had 17 and Star City had three.
The Commission also:
- Approved $1,500 for a dishwasher and painting supplies for the Stewartstown Community Building.
- Heard from Assessor Mark Musick, who warned of a scam in Marshal County in which residents were visited by people presenting themselves as representatives of the county assessor. Musick said all representatives of the assessor’s office in Monongalia County wear clothing identifying them as such. Also, field representatives drive marked vehicles and carry identifying credentials.
- Explained that next week’s commission meeting will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.
