WESTOVER— The annual spring clean-up is returning to Westover this year after being cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, Westover City Council announced during its Monday night meeting.
Once a year in the springtime, the City of Westover’s sanitation department welcomes residents to leave larger items out for pickup at no additional cost. The official date for the spring clean-up will be determined in the coming weeks.
“A lot of people may not have a big pickup truck or a way to transport things like old furniture that they want moved out of their house,” said Ralph Mullins, First Ward council member. “It is a nice benefit for the citizens.”
During Monday’s meeting, Westover City Attorney Tim Stranko introduced a packet from the City of Morgantown regarding the Mountaineer Regional Sobering Center. The center is set to open this fall at the former Ramada Inn on Scott Avenue. The goal of the center is to provide a short-term care alternative to emergency rooms for individuals suffering from the effects of alcohol or drug intoxication.
Stranko said the packet from Morgantown is intended to be reviewed by the mayor and subsequently inform Morgantown officials if Westover is interested in participating in the center.
Bids for equipment for the Westover Volunteer Fire Department were also voted on. The cost of items discussed totaled about $100,000. One council member was absent from the meeting, and council members present unanimously approved the bids.
Updates on roadway construction
Stranko provided updates on current roadway projects within the city, including plans for Holland Avenue and progress on Solomon Road.
Similarly to Solomon Road, Holland Avenue is under the jurisdiction of the West Virginia Division of Highways, but Westover plans to partner with DOH for the project. Initial investigations into the reconstruction needed on Holland Avenue must first be conducted before the project can move forward.
Stranko said costs of the investigation include $13,000 for the camera inspection and report. This report includes storm and sanitary sewer lines from approximately the Circle K location on Holland Avenue down to the Monongahela River. The engineering report and recommendations for the project are also estimated to cost $10,000.
The Solomon Road project is underway, and contractors have been deployed to the area. Stranko said the project is still estimated to be completed sometime in April.
Old business
During the meeting, council revisited an ordinance to annex a parcel of land adjacent to the city. This 4,133-square-foot parcel is owned by Clifford Sutherland, co-owner of Triple S Harley-Davidson. Council members present unanimously voted to approve the second reading of the annexation.
The second reading of changes to article 141.01 were also unanimously approved by present councilmembers. The changes reduce the number of people on the planning commission from nine to seven.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 5.
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