MORGANTOWN — The city of Morgantown has been notified by the Monongalia County Health Department that it is in violation of state sanitation standards as it pertains to the Diamond Village homeless encampment, which has been on city property since July 18.
A letter dated Aug. 7 from MCHD Environmental Health Specialist Joe Lawson to Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli gives the city 14 days to address issues dealing primarily with the operation of an non-permitted campground.
Morgantown Communications Manager Andrew Stacy said “City administration is actively working with social service agencies, advocacy groups, and the health department to address the issues.”
Lawson reached out to the city following an Aug. 5 inspection of the encampment, which moved from private property in lower Greenmont to an adjacent piece of city property on July 18, after the MCHD reached out to the property owner.
In addition to “a large collection of garbage,” Lawson noted that a camp, whether permanent or semi-permanent, is governed under the West Virginia General Sanitation Rule and thereby the city was obligated as the property owner to submit plans and specifications for review at least 45 days before construction. According to 64-CSR-18, the facility must also pass an inspection by the health officer prior to opening.
“No documentation or correspondence has been submitted for a suitable campground to the Monongalia County Health Department,” Lawson wrote. “Therefore, you are in violation of operating a campground without a permit.”
There were a number of issues noted by Lawson. According to the rules spelled out in 64-CSR-18, the encampment and/or the property owner:
— Lacks platforms or floors at least one foot above the ground for sleeping quarters
— Doesn’t have a documented register of occupants with the MCHD
— Doesn’t have proper storage, handling, collection and disposal of garbage
— Isn’t being maintained in good repair and in a clean and sanitary condition
— Has portable restrooms, but hasn’t provided information to the MCHD regarding handling of sewage and liquid waste disposal
— Isn’t practicing hygienic and disease control measures to prevent the spread of communicable disease.
While CDC COVID-19 guidelines state not moving an encampment during the pandemic is preferred, questions have been raised about whether preventative measures, including the use of masks and social distancing, are being regularly observed.
It was also previously noted by Milan Puskar Health Right Director Laura Jones that, as of late July, some 44 overdoses had been reversed at the camp since its creation through the use of Naloxone.
Lawson explained that the city has 14 days from the date of notice to submit campground plans and operate an encampment with the basic necessities of cleanliness, proper sanitary controls and general garbage pickup.
According to information provided to the city, there are regularly about 20 people sleeping at the camp, with additional people coming down during daylight hours.
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