FOLLANSBEE — Crews are proceeding with a major stormwater project that will affect traffic on state Route 2 on Wednesday.

At Mondays’ Follansbee Council meeting, Mayor David Velegol Jr. noted crews with Alex Paris Contracting of Atlasburg, Pa., are slated to install a large concrete channel under Raymond Street from Virginia Avenue and through its intersection with Route 2 to Mill Alley near the Post Office.

North- and southbound traffic will be maintained by flaggers during the work, which is slated to occur between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, but drivers should be prepared for delays.

The project is expected to be completed in six to eight weeks, pending weather conditions.

Crews have begun excavating Mill Alley for the channel, which will carry stormwater from Virginia Avenue to the Ohio River.

A MEMORIAL DONATION — At Monday’s Follansbee Council meeting, members of the Wheeling chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution from left, Lisa McNeil, Donna Diserio and Marjorie Gaudio presented a U.S. flag to the city in memory of late fellow member Valerie Fish, who had been a Follansbee resident. -- Warren Scott

The $2 million project is intended to prevent storm sewer backups that have resulted in flooding in that area during heavy rain.

Velegol said the channel will be five feet wide and 15 feet deep and built off-site in three large sections that will be lowered into place by a crane.

He said when that section of Route 2 is excavated for the channel, large metal plates will be placed across it to allow vehicles to pass through.

Since the excavation began, Raymond Street at the north side of the Follansbee American Legion Post has been closed.

City Manager Chris Manack-Stover told council leaders of Follansbee United Methodist Church have agreed to make a parking lot owned by the church across from the Christian Assembly of Follansbee available for residents of Virginia Avenue affected by the work.

Velegol said after they have finished the project, crews with Alex Paris Contracting are slated to replace a spillway at Neville Street with a wider, 30-inch storm sewer line.

He said a concrete channel will be established above the line to help prevent tree limbs and other debris from blocking the flow of runoff from the city’s east side.

The new spillway also is seen as a remedy to recurring flooding.

In other business, 3rd Ward Councilman Nick Cekinovich said the state Fire Marshal’s Office has outlined steps needed for the city to implement a code enforcement officer.

Cekinovich had suggested the position to address overgrown lawns and other conditions creating a health hazard or eyesore.

On Monday, he said the state Fire Marshal’s Office has suggested the city adopt the International Property Maintenance Code before creating the new position.

The code was developed in 1998 by members of the International Code Council — Building Officials and Code Administrators International Inc. “to establish minimum requirements to provide a reasonable level of health, safety, property protection and general welfare insofar as they are affected by the continued occupancy and maintenance of structures and premises.”

He said until a code enforcement officer is approved by council, City Police will continue to enforce existing city ordinances.

In related business, Deputy Police Chief Lester Skinner said when council passes a new ordinance, it needs to post it soon after and ensure the police department has a copy of it.

Skinner related an instance in which police were preparing to cite a man for a violation, and he pulled up an older version of the ordinance addressing it that didn’t fit the circumstances at that time.

He added they also should be reviewed to ensure they comply with state code.

Skinner was told such an effort is being made.

Council also heard from resident Aaron Quattrocchi, who announced community cleanups will be held at 11 a.m. June 1 at Mahan Park on Main Street and at 11 a.m. June 8 at Jefferson Park on Virginia Avenue.

Council also was visited by members of the Wheeling chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who presented a U.S. flag to the city in memory of Valerie Fish, a late member of the group.

Fish, who died on Aug. 25 at the age of 86, also was a member of the Follansbee Civic League and a frequent election poll worker.