WESTOVER — The city of Westover’s plans to annex just under 25 acres off DuPont Road, including Corwin Place and Horizon View, have been shelved for the time being.
The annexation, which has been in a holding pattern since council passed it on first reading in early December, died for lack of a motion on Monday.
During that first reading, members of council expressed concerns that the city would be taking on liability in the form of a steep, slip-prone hillside that is part of Corwin Place.
Johnson explained Monday that the city sought a pledge of indemnity, meaning if the hill were to slip, it wouldn’t be the city’s responsibility to fix.
Johnson said he didn’t know why the property owners chose not to sign.
“So it died tonight. If we revisit that it would have to start all over again, and that’s probably something that we’re going to consider,” he said.
In other Westover news, it looks as if significant changes are coming to city leadership based on candidate certificate of announcements for the city’s June 14 municipal election.
Of the five seats up for election, only two have incumbents filed as candidates.
The candidate list as of Feb. 7 includes:
Mayor — Robert Lucci, Elvis Austin
Council-at-large — Duane Tatar (incumbent), Diana Frisco
First Ward — Blake Austin, Alli Jackson, Joshua Thrasher
Second Ward — Jeffrey Friend (Incumbent), Gary Marlin
Third Ward — Shawna Cross
Johnson announced in October that he didn’t intend to seek another term as mayor.
Also absent from the list are incumbents Ralph Mullins (1st Ward) and Gary Weber (3rd Ward).
The deadline to file was Feb. 5, but City Clerk Sandie Weis said any filings received that were postmarked by that date will be accepted.
“It could be the end of the week before we know for sure,” she said.
Non-incumbent mayoral and council candidates must have nominating petitions filed with the clerk’s office by March 15.
Also on Monday, council:
- Approved the purchase of 111 tons of road salt from Three Rivers Marine and Rail Terminals for $11,427.17.
- Approved the purchase of a new sewer camera from Scott Electric for $9,261.44.
