By Leigh C. Merrifield
Shinnston City Council convened on Monday evening, January 12, 2026 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers for its regular meeting.
Considering it was the first meeting of the new year, the agenda was quite FULL!
The Pledge of Allegiance was repeated and Councilperson Mary Ann Ferris offered the invocation. The minutes of the last regular meeting held in mid-December were approved, and Executive reports and updates were given by Mayor Patrick Kovalck and City Manager Tori Drainer.
Mayor Kovalck first advised that all businesses in the downtown area should be properly removing snow and ice from the entrance to their businesses during inclement weather for the safety of visitors to their establishments.
He also referred to an ordinance that has been in place for several years regarding negligent property (both residential and commercial) in the City.
“This has been an ongoing problem for years with some properties, and in some cases affects other structures nearby,” he stated. “Fines can be levied for ignoring this ordinance and I would like to see us become more vigilant about enforcing this.”
City Manager Tori Drainer said she had already spoken to the Code Enforcement Officer regarding this issue.
The City of Shinnston had donated previously to the Shinnston Volunteer Fire Department to help them purchase AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators), life-saving devices used in the event of sudden cardiac arrest, and the City received another request from SVFD to help them purchase an ATV to assist them when terrain is difficult and victims need to be reached for transport. Council will consider this request.
Mayor Kovalck also brought up that the U.S. will celebrate its 250 th anniversary this summer, and he proposed that the city consider perhaps increasing its budget for fireworks at the Concert in the Park held each year to celebrate the 4 th of July. “This event draws a huge crowd to Shinnston every year, and since it will be such a colossal milestone this year, I would like to see us make it an even bigger celebration to draw an even larger crowd!” he said.
“Let’s begin looking for sponsors to help with this and begin early.
Typically we spend $7,000 on fireworks, but since we draw attendance from even outside our community, let’s make an effort to perhaps double that if we can.”
Drainage problems were also discussed. It was noted that while several had already been addressed, there are still problems on Walnut Street and East Pike St. The City Manager was asked to focus on seeing that these areas be concentrated on.
City Manager Tori Drainer gave her executive report and noted that the SDA (Shinnston Development Authority) would be remaining active and concentrating on reaching out to and offering incentives for local small businesses.
Tori reported that she had already begun work on the coming year’s budget. She also had a long phone conversation with the West Virginia Home Rule Board, which oversees allowing municipalities greater control to create their own laws for local issues, as well as ordinances and amendments that address community-specific needs. “I was excited that we had six initiatives that passed,” Drainer said. “This is something we’ve been waiting on since 2024.” More details will be released as soon as they become available.
She added, “Mountain State Safety Solutions will also be doing safety training for new hires in our Public Works Department, water and sewer employees.”
At this time, two have applied for Pool & Park Manager positions. Applications will be accepted through January 31 st and are available on the City’s website or by stopping in the City Office Building.
Other items discussed included:
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Councilman Rodney Strait explained the importance of the Lord’s Pantry, which has been in Shinnston since 1992, serving families in need. The Pantry has 40 volunteers who put in approximately 10,000 volunteer hours stocking and handing out food, driving to and from the Mountaineer Food Bank for supplies. They also accept local donations; however, they do often have to purchase items that are needed but have not been stocked. Shinnston’s Community Garden, planted and cared for by a few local volunteers, gave more than 200 pounds of fresh produce to the Lord’s Pantry this year. The Pantry serves 200-300 people with pickups on Thursday from 9 a.m. until noon. Long lines can often be frustrating, and pantry patrons are asked to be considerate about traffic flow and not parking where it may block nearby residents from getting in and out of their driveways.
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The City of Shinnston will continue its “good neighbor policy” relationship with Lumberport by continuing to renew offering 360 gallons of water at the water tap along Haywood Road to Lumberport customers without clean water.
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An issue of great concern is the former Royal Chrysler garage located on Hood Ave. and owned by John Matheny.
After the structure’s roof collapsed, the City worked quickly to help with cleanup for safety reasons. However, it is now at a standstill and there are concerns about a residence just above where the garage sits and where that garage roof helped to support the hill the house sits on. Mayor Kovalck said the City continues to talk with the DEP regarding this and both are on the same page. “We have no intention of taking Mr. Matheny’s property, but neither can we pay for his misfortune. We are willing to work with the DEP, but we feel that as the owner, Mr. Matheny needs to be a contributor of some sort in fixing the safety issue that could jeopardize a nearby property,” the mayor stated.
The City Manager has a printed Project List for 2026 that notes which projects are in progress and a timeline for proposed finish dates. One of those is the Trail Expansion & Development that offers a good deal of grant funding; Shinnston wants to be involved in that and requested those qualified to work on it should send in their qualifications. The Thrasher Group was the only bidder. The City Attorney has looked over the contract and agreed that they are highly qualified. After a thorough discussion and questions aired, Council voted to proceed with Thrasher’s Trail planning contract.
Addressing dilapidated/blight buildings/dwellings was another key concern. Several were of such concern that Council grouped about five of them together to be considered a “MAJOR PRIORITY”. These properties have been disregarded by owners and have remained in disrepair far too long, which reflects poorly on the community, the Mayor noted. Furthermore, Council fears that some of the ignored problems could affect neighboring buildings and want this addressed ASAP!
Mayor Kovalck concluded, “One of the goals for 2026 that TOPS my list is to put an end to responsible businesses in Shinnston being held hostage by property owners who have NO vested interest in this community! We welcome new businesses/property owners, but we need those who want to make a return on their investment – NOT those who buy, leave town, let their property waste away, and never return!”
The properties topping the priority list are: the former G.C.Murphy building, the Wright building, residence at the foot of Mahlon St. next to T&L Hot Dogs, Ashby Apartments, and what remains of the dwelling on Hood Avenue across from the Post Office.
Photo Caption: Pictured above is the uninhabited residence at the foot of Mahlon Street, one of the five property priorities that are ‘eyesores’. The collapsed roof at the rear side entrance continues to be ignored and is visible to passing traffic on Pike Street in Shinnston.
Photo Caption: Also pictured is the Ashby Apts. located on Pike Street. It too has been uninhabited for a long time with windows broken, and in fact has been condemned by the City Building Inspector. Both structures are very noticeable and leave an unappealing impression to the main thoroughfare in the community.