Elevator replacement delayed at Brooke County Courthouse
WELLSBURG — Replacement of the elevator at the Brooke County Courthouse has been postponed because of shipping delays that have affected many at this time, according to members of the Brooke County Commission.
During their meeting Tuesday, Commissioner Stacey Wise said electronic and mechanical parts for the elevator are available but steel and other materials for the walls and floor of its cars have been delayed.
She said it seems best to pursue the project at one time so installation of the new elevator is being eyed for mid-December.
Resident Anthony “Butch” Rotellini asked if the work could be done during a weekend to minimize inconvenience to the public. He noted many visitors to the building aren’t physically able to take the stairs.
Wise said unfortunately the work is expected to take up to six weeks, but staff in the county’s departments have agreed to meet with visitors in the commission’s meeting room during that time to address any business they need to do in person.
The Schindler Elevator Corp. will be providing new rollers, belts, control boards and other equipment for the elevator at a cost of about $113,500.
The project will be funded through a $100,000 grant secured by Wise from the state Courthouse Facilities Improvement Council and a 20 percent match provided by the county.
Wise said the current elevator, trustworthy but not known for its speed, is more than 40 years old and it had become difficult to replace its electronic parts.
She said the new model will be quicker, smoother and quieter.
Also on Tuesday, the commissioners reflected on the recent deaths of Millie Fillinger and Domenick Frio.
A Brooke County school teacher for more than 20 years, Fillinger died at the age of 51 on Saturday, following a lengthy battle against cancer. She was known for supporting local sports teams and being an advocate for fellow teachers.
Her family has asked that memorial contributions be made to Brooke Intermediate North, where she taught for many years. Earlier this year the school’s pupils and staff raised $400 they presented to the American Cancer Society in her name.
Frio, who died on Oct. 19 at the age of 91, served on the Brooke County Committee on Aging, which oversees the county’s senior center, as well as lending his time to charities and veterans’ groups.
A Marine during World War II, Frio had lied about his age to enlist, noted Commissioner A.J. Thomas, his neighbor; and met the Pope while visiting Castel Gandolfo, the pontiff’s winter retreat in Italy.
Upon being named the Brooke County Veterans Memorial Foundation’s Veteran of the Year in 2018, Frio recalled Pope Pius XII presenting medals to him and other visiting servicemen for fighting communist troops that invaded North Africa and Greece amid the chaos that emerged during the war.
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