PERSONNEL MATTERS AT HAND — The resignation of Wellsburg’s city clerk and hiring of two new police officers were among matters before Wellsburg Council on Wednesday. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — The resignation of the city clerk, hiring of two police officers and other personnel matters were discussed Wednesday by Wellsburg Council.

This month’s council meeting was moved to Wednesday because the city’s election was held on Tuesday, and some election issues had a bearing on business before council.

Council learned City Clerk Mikeal Maguschak, who had overseen the election, has resigned, effective June 28.

Maguschak cited responsibilities for another position for his decision.

City Manager Steve Maguschak said the city will advertise for applicants for the part-time position.

In addition to overseeing the elections, the city clerk is responsible for taking minutes at all council meetings and handling any public requests under the Freedom of Information Act.

Voters in the 2013 election supported changing it from an elected position to an appointed one, a move city officials suggested following a lack of candidates for the job.

The position of collector-treasurer also was made an appointed one through the same election.

On Wednesday, the city manager asked council members if they wished to appoint Mary Ann Habbit to the position now that the term to which she was elected has expired.

Council agreed to do that.

The collector-treasurer is responsible for bookkeeping for the city’s revenue and payroll for city staff, submitting various financial data to the state auditor’s office and other duties.

Council also approved the hiring of two new officers, pending background checks and physical and psychological examinations required of them, at the request of City Police Chief Mike Allman.

Allman said the move was needed because City Patrolman Scott Teaff is leaving for another opportunity and an officer who had been approved last month has decided to remain in his current position.

He said until the two undergo state police training, they will be assigned to work with an established officer in the department.

Allman said with the hirings, the police department will be back to the established staff of five officers, though it also draws on part-time officers who work full-time for other law enforcement agencies.

In related business, council approved the first reading of an ordinance raising the police chief’s salary from $30,000 to $42,000 not including a financial incentive for not accepting the city’s health insurance.

A question was raised about whether the incentive should be $3,000 or closer to $4,000 based on incentives currently offered to other city personnel.

City Solicitor Ryan Weld suggested the amount could be included in the second reading, which must take place at a special meeting to be held 5:30 p.m. before council’s next city committees meeting at 6 p.m. June 24.

Weld noted it will go into effect with the chief’s new term on July 1, in compliance with state election laws.

The raise was proposed by council members who suggested the police chief’s salary should be comparable to that for the officers who serve under him.

It was deemed necessary to attract a candidate to the role, regardless of whether it remained an elected office or became an appointed position.

On Tuesday, a majority of voters opposed an amendment to the city charter that would have allowed it to become an appointment.

If voters had supported it, it wouldn’t have gone into effect until after the four-year term to which Allman was elected on Tuesday.

In another election matter, council agreed to pay $9.61 per hour to poll workers who worked during the city’s seven-day early voting period at City Hall.

The move was made at the recommendation of the city manager, who based it on the $125 paid for hours worked by poll workers on Election Day.

Because of a conflict, council also moved the date on which ballots for the election will be canvassed, from Monday to next Wednesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall.