UNDER CONSIDERATION — New Cumberland Council met in regular session Monday, opting to table a proposed memorandum of understanding between the city and Hancock County Commission to address unsafe structures. -- Craig Howell

NEW CUMBERLAND — City officials have been approached about the possibility of teaming up with Hancock County and other municipalities to address unsafe structures in the community.

City Clerk Tammy Jenkins explained they had received a proposal last week from the Hancock County Commission for a memorandum of understanding about a potential partnership in order to take care of blight or dilapidated buildings, with Jenkins saying she had been told the county had funding available.

“They were asking if Chester, New Cumberland, and other areas wanted to roll in with them,” Jenkins said.

As part of its Feb. 12 meeting, Hancock County commissioners approved a series of three memoranda of understanding between the commission, the City of New Cumberland, the City of Chester, and the City of Weirton for the use of West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection REAP or DLAP funds.

DLAP is the DEP’s Dilapidated Properties Program, created in 2021 through the passage of Senate Bill 368. It provides subgrants to communities and can be used to pay invoices for activities such as title work, asbestos testing, asbestos abatement, demolition, and solid waste disposal.

Meanwhile, REAP – Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan – has been available since 2005 with a focus on clearing litter and illegal dumping in the state.

New Cumberland Attorney Kevin Pearl asked if any other municipality had agreed, with Jenkins saying she had not heard of any as of Monday afternoon. Chester Council also was scheduled to meet Monday night.

Pearl advised council not take any action just yet, and provide him time to review the proposal as he had been unaware of it until Monday’s meeting.

“I haven’t seen it before now,” Pearl said. “I’m not sure what it even means.”

Under Pearl’s advice, council tabled its consideration of the MOU until more information is available.

In other business, council will meet in a work session at 5 p.m., March 11, to discuss the city’s 2026-2027 budget and other matters.

The next regular New Cumberland Council meeting will be at 5 p.m., April 6.