Staff Writer
T-L File Photo
St. Clairsville Councilman Perry Basile, left, speaks with Council President Jim Velas in a past meeting. Last week, numerous utility issues were discussed.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE The city is addressing fees and funding questions surrounding utilities and planned water upgrades.
During last week’s council teleconference meeting, Councilwoman Terra Butler, a member of the utility committee, said an ordinance will be put before the council next month pertaining to shutting off water services and applying a monthly fee.
“There’s a policy in place now, if we shut water off, if somebody goes to vacation over the winter … it’s a $50 turn-on and a $50 turn-off, and then they’re charged the monthly minimum amount even though they weren’t using any water,” Safety and Service Director Jeremy Greenwood said afterward, adding the city must balance its needs and expenses with fairness to the residents. “We’re kind of looking at that, seeing if there
Staff Writer
T-L File Photo
St. Clairsville Council President Jim Velas conducts a meeting. Council heard updates Tuesday from the finance director and a visiting clerk.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE City Council heard the first reading of the proposed budget Tuesday and made temporary appropriations for expenditures through 2021.
The budget must be approved by April 1.
Council also heard from Finance Director Annette Williams and a visiting clerk, who addressed several questions council members had raised during the prior meeting.
Melanie Smith, who was hired to assist Williams’ office as a visiting clerk, described her work for the city from December through March 31 for $35 per hour. She has been paid $6,332 so far.
Times Leader Staff Writer
ST. CLAIRSVILLE A resident wrote a letter criticizing Mayor Kathryn Thalman for a social media post, and a councilman read that letter during a Monday teleconference meeting.
Councilman Frank Sabatino read the letter and also had several questions about the process of closing out the books for 2020 and setting up appropriations for 2021.
Thalman had shared a post that quoted conservative commentator Candace Owens referring to “liberals” as “communists.” It was deleted from Thalman’s personal page, but there have been numerous comments about the matter on a Facebook page devoted to the city.
Sabatino read the letter by resident Matt Berher, who also addressed a letter to the mayor. He wrote that the post was not a sign Thalman was attempting to end political division in the city.