Craig Howell UP FOR GRABS – Follansbee Council, in a special meeting Monday, agreed to move forward with plans to purchase property located behind the Blue Wave Center, which once served as a football field for Follansbee Middle School and local youth leagues.

FOLLANSBEE – The City of Follansbee plans to make an offer for the purchase of property which once served as the football field to the former Follansbee Middle School.

Council met in a special session Monday, with the five members in attendance approving a proposal to purchase the land at a cost of $125,000, pending the completion of any legal reviews.

Mayor Scott McMahon explained the purchase would establish a more definitive boundary between Follansbee Park and the Blue Wave Center, while allowing for opportunities to potentially expand recreational offerings in the city.

“It would allow the city to true up its property lines,” McMahon said.

Councilman-at-Large John Schwertfeger agreed, saying the move will benefit Follansbee Park, in particular.

“We’re doing this, basically, for the integrity of the park,” he said.

The property in question once served as the football field for the school, and was part of the sale of the school site by Brooke County Schools in 2020 to local businessman Scott Ewusiak. The former school building is now known as the Blue Wave Center, serving as a business complex.

Part of the southern area of the football field property, close to Mark Avenue, has been converted into pickleball courts, with the northern area turned into parking for use by the New Day Christian Center – once known as the Carlin Dodrill Field House.

For clarity during Monday’s discussion, Ward 1 Councilman Anthony D’Ulisse questioned the boundaries of the property up for purchase, with Ward 2 Councilman John Casinelli describing it as from the high wall to the park and from Mark Avenue to the public parking lot. Casinelli noted his description was a recollection of the boundaries from prior discussions by the Brooke County Board of Education.

D’Ulisse also asked whether the church would still be able to have access to any of the site, which McMahon confirmed.

“The church will have access to six spots when needed,” he said, noting in particular as part of worship services.

Ward 5 Councilman Joe Kafton asked about financial opportunities for the purchase.

“We’ve talked about bonds and other options,” Kafton said, which McMahon saying he has been informed the use of a lease-to-purchase agreement would be possible.

In other business during Monday’s meeting, council agreed to appoint Wendy DeAngelis to serve as the interim city clerk, to begin as soon as possible, and with a term to last until June 30, 2027. The appointment follows the death in early May of Dave Kurcina, who had served in the role for 26 years.

The position will go on the ballot as part of the city’s election in 2027, with candidate filing to be held in January.

Council also agreed to advertise for the hiring of a police officer, at a pay rate of $24 per hour.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)