DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS DISCUSSED — The recurring issue of what to do about dilapidated structures in the city was discussed by Wellsburg Council on Tuesday. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — The recurring problem of dilapidated structures was again raised at Tuesday’s Wellsburg Council meeting, while council also approved the use of city streets and parks for a number of upcoming events.

Tom Brown, the city’s building inspector, said he’s recently issued notices to the owners of property with dilapidated structures, junk and trash.

He said while vigilant against those who are creating a hazard for their neighbors, he’s also aware of a number of residents who lack the resources to remedy their situations.

Brown asked if local churches and other organizations could be recruited to help those who have lacked the money or ability to keep up their properties.

He cited properties that are owned by elderly residents, adding when homes that have fallen into disrepair become vacant, they will become a greater problem for the city.

Third Ward Councilman Randy Fletcher noted in recent years, the city razed about 18 dilapidated buildings through about $281,000 in grants secured by state Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Wellsburg, from a pilot program of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.

Part of the process involved the owners signing over their property to the city, which after removing the condemned buildings, held a public auction for the lots.

Fletcher said all but two of the lots were sold, netting about $35,000, which council agreed to set aside for future demolitions.

Plans were made to verify that amount and to which fund it was allocated.

Brown asked about a deteriorating building on the Wellsburg Town Square.

Alex Weld, chairman of the city’s urban redevelopment authority, said it is the next structure being pursued by that city-commissioned volunteer board.

She said a new business, the Kookie Jar, recently opened in the neighboring building at the square’s corner, and work will be done soon to prepare its second and third floors for apartment rentals.

Weld said about $800,000 in federal grant money and other funds were invested in renovations to that building, and the board has about $27,000 left from the grant and $60,000 in city funds and money from fundraisers to pursue the building next to it.

The board had acquired the two and a third adjacent structure for $100.

Weld said the board hopes ultimately to sell the first building to raise money for such efforts.

She added its evening summer block parties, held to raise money for its endeavors, will return, with food vendors and live music, on June 26, July 31 and Aug. 21.

Upcoming spring and summer events were a recurring subject at Tuesday’s meeting.

Eric Fithyan, president of the Wellsburg Kiwanis Club, sought and was granted permission to hold the group’s fifth annual Duck Derby at the Wellsburg Wharf and adjacent streets on June 14.

Fithyan said the afternoon event will include a 5k run and a car cruise.

A highlight is the dropping of hundreds of numbered plastic ducks into the Ohio River, from which they are scooped out, with the first handful of “arrivals” at the wharf determining the winners of various prizes.

Fithyan said proceeds from the unusual drawing have raised nearly $120,000 toward the club’s goal of sponsoring a splash pad for the city’s 4th Ward Park.

As president of the Brooke County Area Chamber of Commerce, Fithyan announced that group’s series of free summer concerts also will return.

Featuring a variety of area bands, the concerts will be held on the second Mondays of June, July and August at the grassy lot at Sixth and Charles streets in Wellsburg, with concerts at Follansbee Park to be held on Memorial Day and the fourth Monday of each of those months.

First Ward Councilman Scott Kins announced a 5K run, to raise awareness of oral cancer, will be held by Almost Heaven Family Dentistry at 9 a.m. April 18.

He noted the race has been moved earlier so as not to conflict with the procession on city streets that kicks off opening day for the Wellsburg Baseball Association.

Other details will be announced.

Last month, council approved the use of city streets for the event.

Council also has approved use of Central Park by yoga instructor Taylor Aitken Provenzano for a series of free yoga classes this summer.

In a letter to council, Provenzano said the sessions involve stretching, dance and yoga and are aimed at all ages.

“It has been a joy and wonderful to see people coming together to be creative, active and find some calm through yoga techniques,” she said.

Council also granted a request from Mark Burch, president of the Brooke County Flag Football program, to use the 4th Ward Park for its games, which he said are held three days a week from April to mid-July.

Burch said the league is open to youths, ages 5-14, and 192 children participated last year.

Fourth Ward Councilman Tom Gaudio, who chairs council’s recreation committee, said bleachers will be set up for the games.