Matthew Gregory

The meeting commenced with the Mayor's State of the City Address, highlighting accomplishments from 2025 and future plans for 2026, including a $50,000 sponsorship for the West Virginia Strawberry Festival. Key agenda items included the approval of bill payments and Building and Wiring Permits. Public Works reported on sidewalk projects, equipment removal, and ongoing sewer and water system maintenance, as well as updates on the Charles W. Gibson Library roof replacement project and the Colonial Arts Center improvements. The City Attorney provided an update on the eminent domain proceeding for the Water Treatment Plant project and the ongoing codification project with American Legal Publishing. The council accepted the resignations of Theresa Black from the Upshur County Board of Health and Paula McGrew from the Planning Commission. The meeting concluded with an Executive Session to discuss personnel matters.

Key discussions during the meeting included the Fire Department Pinning of Probationary Firefighter Joshua Bowers and a presentation from the Upshur County Tobacco Prevention Coalition, which resulted in referring a request to implement a vape/smoke shop ordinance to the Planning Commission for evaluation. Financial matters involved approving bill payments, appropriating $8,000.00 to the Upshur County Senior Center for operations/maintenance, and approving a $50,000.00 appropriation to the WV Strawberry Festival Association for its 2026 event. Public Works reported on various ongoing projects, including sidewalk construction and sewer upgrades, and Building and Wiring Permits were approved. The Council also approved the donation of discontinued BPD Tasers to the Upshur County Sheriff's Office and authorized the execution of agreements for the Charles W. Gibson Library Addition Project. New business included approving the recommendation not to proceed with the Gateway North Sidewalk & Lighting Design Phase and submitting an intent to apply for the Route 20 South Sidewalk & Lighting Project. An Executive Session was held to discuss property matters.

Key discussions during the meeting included the financial report presentation and the department report from the SYCC Director, which detailed ongoing activities such as the After-School Program, basketball season preparations, and various classes, while noting issues with limited gym time and non-functional security cameras following a blown fuse. New business centered on the approval of the Verkada Surveillance/Security Camera System upgrade, with a quoted cost of $56,701.07 for 15 cameras with a 10-year license. A building rental request for the Almost Heaven BBQ Bash in June 2026 was tabled. Board members also discussed the proposed development of a STEM Center in Upshur County, including preliminary planning materials and potential partnerships, and encouraged participation in the Weyerhaeuser Community Survey to influence local funding allocations.

Key discussions during the meeting included a review of the December 2025 financial reports, where staff addressed inquiries regarding higher-than-budgeted water usage for certain Public Service Districts (PSDs) and manageable health insurance cost increases. The Water Department reported on monthly operations, noting four water leaks, meter changes, and the treatment of 74.43 million gallons of water. Specific maintenance issues included roof leaks above filters at the Water Treatment Plant and a crack reappearing in Filter Bed No. 2 wall; repair estimates totaling $15,620 were presented for coating issues related to previous repairs. In Old Business concerning the Water Treatment Plant Replacement Project, the consultant is focusing on the USDA loan application, and scope additions in the Route 20 corridor are being evaluated for budget impact. Invoices totaling $37,732.08 for preliminary design work were approved for payment. An executive session was held to discuss property matters, after which the meeting adjourned.

The meeting included a presentation of the September 2025 financial report, which was accepted by the Board. Department reports covered plant operations, maintenance crew activities including work on Clarifier #2 and the Mon Street Pump Station project, and sewer line repairs. Stormwater management discussions focused on an update regarding the Taylor Street Storm Sewer, following a recent stakeholders meeting. In business discussions, the Board approved advertising to fill a vacant mapping position. Information was also shared regarding the Tennerton P.S.D. Meeting Minutes from August 2025.