Trending
MINGO JUNCTION - It is no secret the Ohio Valley has seen quite a bit of snowfall this winter - and that is taking a toll on the village of Mingo Junction's salt supply.
Village Administrator Bob Smith updated council members on the supply on Tuesday, telling them during his report the village has used about 900 tons of salt.
He said the village came into winter with 500 tons on reserve and has ordered an additional 300 tons twice now, but it's questionable whether even that supply will be enough to get through the end of the season.
"We've already gone through over 900 tons," he said. "Every little snow we have ... we're using almost 50 tons of salt. I don't want to run out of salt. It doesn't take a lot (to use up what's left)."
One option for conserving salt is a strategy Smith said the village employed during Monday night's snowfall - waiting until the snow is finished falling to dispatch the road crews.
"You put the salt down or you plow, and when you come back the road is covered again," Smith said. "There is just not much you can do. We have limited resources."
Councilman Mark Baker, who used to work for the service department, suggested sending out two trucks instead of three in instances of lighter snow and preserving use of the full crews - and salt capacity of three trucks - for bigger storms such as Monday's.
"Running three trucks uses a lot more salt," Baker said. "I don't think we need three trucks every call out."
Smith noted while he wanted council's feedback, the ultimate direction comes from Mayor Ed Fithen, who was not present at the meeting because of work. Smith said he would discuss the matter further with the mayor.
The topic of road crews also brought up a recurring topic - that the same three plow truck drivers have responded to every call-out this winter.
Smith noted none of the three have complained about taking every call and that as long as they were not complaining, it was not a big concern to him.
Baker and Councilwoman Jodilynn Fitzgerald still voiced concerns, though.
"It's our job (to be concerned), they're our employees," Baker said.
It was also mentioned that an unnamed employee of the department told a councilman he was not comfortable operating the trucks, which Smith said he would address.
Smith noted the department is down four positions and will soon be advertising to fill at least one.
Despite the concerns, Council President Michael Herrick commended the department for the job it has done this winter.
"They are doing a fantastic job," he said.
During their reports, both Police Chief Willie McKenzie and Fire Chief Brandon Montgomery said the process to clean up the village is underway.
McKenzie told council his department has issued about 20 letters in regards to junk vehicles on village property.
And Montgomery noted the fire department's legal process for property maintenance is a lengthy one, but the department has started the task a couple months earlier than usual, beginning on Feb.1 instead of waiting for spring.
Council members said they hope to reopen the village pool this summer, though no official decision has been made.
"I think we ought to make a real concerted effort to get that pool open this year," Smith said.
Councilman Jack Brettell noted the elder population is getting vaccine and presumably more groups will have been vaccinated by the time the pool would open.
Councilman Adam Peeler suggested getting started on the search for potential lifeguards in case the pool does open, as he did at the previous meeting.
Former fire chief John Wright, who resigned in April, appeared with prepared remarks in response to comments from Montgomery at the last council meeting and discussed ongoing disputes with members of council.
Wright said comments Montgomery made about repairing relationships with surrounding departments and the turnout for a recent fire were incorrect. He spent several minutes defending his record as chief, stating there has been a "smear campaign" since before he became chief in 2011.
"I rest comfortably at night and will go to my grave knowing I gave 110 percent to this village over my entire career," Wright said.
He provided Herrick with two letters he said were from area chiefs, noting he would provide more at a later time, and left the meeting following his remarks.
There will be a finance meeting prior to the Feb. 23 council meeting at 5:30 p.m.