STAR CITY, W.Va. — A community targeted in the City of Morgantown’s annexation proposal is petitioning to be annexed — but into Star City.
During a regular meeting of Star City’s Town Council Tuesday, members of the community known as “No Man’s Land” submitted a petition requesting it be annexed into Star City. Council members unanimously agreed to work with the residents to bring them into Star City, taking an apparent open arms approach.
“I think since Morgantown’s pushing this annexation, I think that’s why ‘No Man’s Land,’ which we call it, has come together and they want to come into Star City,” said Star City Mayor Herman Reid.
“And our arms are open. We want them,” he said.
The community, which includes several well-known entities that border Star City, is part of Morgantown’s minor boundary adjustment proposal. There are about 15-20 homes on Cain Street, Bitoni Street and North Parkview Drive, plus St. Mary Catholic Church and the Circle K on University Avenue.
For residents in the area, the increases in taxes and fees to become part of Morgantown is too much.
“Really everything will go up,” said Judy Johnson, resident of the area asking to be annexed. “Our garbage will be separate, and right now I pay very little for garbage as far as I’m concerned. It’s like $40 a month for garbage, water and sewage. That, I’m not a single person so I’ve got to save somewhere and to pay more taxes and all that, I’m just not going to be able to do it,” she said.
According to Johnson, since her road was paved by the state, she would also be responsible for bringing the road up to the city’s standards, which in whole could cost her up to $30,000.
According to state code, communities can request to be annexed into any neighboring municipal’s limits with a petition signed by 75% of the residents. The request would eventually have to be approved by Monongalia County Commission.
Morgantown’s request for a minor boundary adjustment will also have to be presented to and approved by county commission.
“We signed the papers that we needed to sign and we sent them in to their people down there that is making this happen and hopefully it gets there,” said Johnson.
After discussions with residents, which included a resolution that was eventually passed, Star City officials have also been in discussions with members of Monongalia County Commission so the process is as seamless as possible for all parties involved.
“We’re going to get this resolution together, send it to them. I’m sure the county commission will look at this, basically in a common sense type manner,” Reid said.
