TRAFFIC ISSUES DISCUSSED — Complaints of speeding and traffic problems involving large trucks were heard at Tuesday’s Wellsburg Council meeting. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — Wellsburg Council heard complaints Tuesday about speeding and traffic problems involving large trucks at the north end of Charles Street.

Chrissy Kaylor, who lives on the street, said many drivers are far exceeding the posted 25 mile per hour speed limit, resulting in parked vehicles being struck and other property damage.

City Police Chief Mike Allman said several auto accidents have occurred since December, but there was no indication of speeding being a factor in any.

Kaylor noted a vehicle veered into a utility pole, causing it to break in two, and struck a fence at the southeast corner of Wellsburg Primary School on Charles Street at about 12:23 a.m. on April 26.

She asked how fast a vehicle must be going to take out a pole.

Allman said speed isn’t always a factor in such accidents and there were no skid marks on the street.

Second Ward Councilman Scott Caldwell suggested the city employs speed humps.

He said they differ from speed bumps because they are lower to the surface and six to eight feet wide, so they are not as jarring while still encouraging drivers to slow down.

City Solicitor Ryan Weld said he’s aware of speed humps being used in Parkersburg and would like to learn more about them.

A resident suggested issuing more citations for speeding also would help.

Council also heard from Dave Harvey, vice president of operations at Eagle Manufacturing, who asked about plans to close streets near the business’ Charles Street facilities.

Fourth Ward Councilman Charlie Harris confirmed he’s asked council to consider closing 25th and 26th streets to truck traffic.

He said they aren’t part of the designated truck route for the city’s west side and large trucks have driven over sidewalks and into utility poles, at times causing utility lines to be brought down.

Harris, who lives on Charles Street, said trucks have nearly struck his front porch twice.

“A (truck) driver did a U-turn at 26th and Charles today and I’m amazed he didn’t strike anything,” he said.

Harris told Harvey, ‘We want you to be successful, but you need to be successful on your own property, not everyone else’s.”

Harris said he’s concerned eventually someone will be hurt unless something is done.

Mayor Dan Dudley suggested Eagle staff could direct the trucks onto their property, a task he said he had performed when he was employed there.

Harvey questioned whether the truck drivers involved are employed by Eagle or independent contractors. He said any driver who violates traffic laws should be cited.

He asked council to involve Eagle in finding a solution.

No action was taken on the matter on Tuesday.

Kaylor also raised concerns about police patrols, saying suspicious people have been seen around the city and several breaking and enterings have occurred.

Allman said since Jan. 1, there have been few reports of breaking and enterings. He said a local laundromat was broken into and the burglar was caught, while his department is investigating an abandoned house that was entered.

Allman said individuals have been charged with trespassing.

City Manager Steve Maguschak suggested Allman shift the department’s schedule to allow more patrols at night.

In related business, Carol Allman, the police chief’s wife, asked why the police department’s budget had been cut by $86,000 for the new fiscal year.

City officials denied cutting it by that amount, but 3rd Ward Councilman Randy Fletcher said it was cut by $50,000 in light of an estimated shortfall in revenue of $200,000.

Fletcher said he hopes the funds can be restored if more revenue comes in.

Allman warned that the cut will affect the department’s ability to provide some services, including additional patrols during the city’s weeklong celebration of Independence Day.

He and others acknowledged the department’s had a smaller staff in recent months.

Third Ward Councilman Tom Gaudio noted a position in the department wasn’t filled to accommodate raises for its current three officers.

“Show me a schedule with three officers that would give us 24/7 coverage,” he said.

Allman said the officers are supplemented with part-time officers who work in other departments while the Brooke County Sheriff’s Department, located in the city, also may be dispatched when needed.

Maguschak said wages for the city’s officers are lower than for other area law enforcement agencies, making it difficult to retain them.

When resident Tammy Provenzano asked about street paving for the year, he said lack of funding again is an issue.

Maguschak confirmed street paving hasn’t been done, with the exception of areas tied to waterline replacements, since 2018. He said while there are plans to patch streets, it doesn’t appear that paving will be financially feasible.

“We don’t have the funds we used to have,” he said.

Maguschak said council as a whole hasn’t supported increases to the city’s business and occupation tax or the $12 monthly municipal service fee paid by residents.

The city manager said the latter can and has been used for capital improvements besides paving. He said the fee generates about $100,000 per year while the cost to pave one mile is about $300,000.

Maguschak noted council has considered applying for the state’s Home Rule program, which would allow it to introduce a 1 percent sales tax.

Also on Tuesday:

• Cody Rice, chairman of the Wellsburg 4th of July Committee, asked for use of city parks and streets for events the volunteer group has planned for June 27 through July 4.

He noted they will be kicked off with the block party at the Wellsburg Town Square and Charles Street being held by the city’s urban redevelopment authority.

Rice said the group will be taking over the Oil Can Derby and asked if Fourth Street can be patched for the race.

Dudley said there are plans to do that.

• Allman advised the city’s part-time crossing guard for Wellsburg Primary School has resigned and he will be assuming that role for the few weeks remaining of the school year.

• Dudley expressed thanks to members of Cub Scout Pack 1553 and other volunteers involved with a community cleanup on May 3 and the fire department and local churches that made their facilities available to residents who lost their power during the April 29 storm.

Wellsburg Council’s committees meeting will be held at 6 p.m. May 27.