By Leigh C. Merrifield
Shinnston City Council met on Monday evening, April 13th, for its regular meeting. Mayor Patrick Kovalck was the first to give his executive report. He related that he and the City Manager had met with the DEP and the Harrison County Commission regarding a possible location for a dog park on property near the Trailhead. Because of plans for the expansion of the Rail Trail from Shinnston to Clarksburg, it was decided that there would be too much going on in that area and it was not recommended as a good site for the dog park at this time.
Mayor Kovalck noted that since the City had already received a $12,500 donation for dog park fencing from Arsenal Oil & Gas, he felt they should proceed with another location and not delay in using the generous donation that had been made. An optional dog park location being considered is the City Park and the Shinnston Development Authority was going to discuss this as well. It was noted that using the city park for the dog park location would not interfere with traffic on the fitness trail. He feels certain that SDA will support the City park location as the best option.
He also reported that it has come to his attention that many backpackers are spending time at the Trailhead, using the electric there to charge their phones. That was not the intention of wiring that area, so power will be shut off unless needed for a special event.
The mayor was also contacted by Lincoln High School Principal David Decker who asked for the City’s help in removing heavy brush near the parking lot at the school’s softball field. Kovalck stated that since the City now has the proper equipment to do that, it would be supportive to help accommodate their need.
City Manager Tori Drainer then proceeded with her report, which first addressed that she had received a pricing estimate on the potential cost of paving streets and alleyways in the community that need work done. The job will require bids to be taken, but she plans to begin prioritizing which streets will be focused on first according to their condition. “This cost is in our budget since 80% of the excess levy money is designated to street paving, so it will be used for that purpose and we will pave as many streets as we possibly can,” she stated.
She also noted that the State Auditor’s Office has given its full approval to the City’s 2026/2027 budget.
By the end of this month, the City’s accountants have scheduled Public Service Commission reports and discussions of rate increases according to what the reports generate. Increases have not occurred in 12 years but will be under review by the PSC.
Mrs. Drainer also discussed code enforcement and reported that 52 Vacant Building Registries have currently been mailed out in addition to 40 Rental Registry Applications to landlords along with copies of business licenses to those who were not registered. Out of 5 mailed corrective orders, 2 were returned; the remaining 3 have been given to the City’s legal team for further resolution. Those include the Murphy building, the Abruzzino mansion, and 61 Mahlon St. next to T&L Hot Dogs. In addition, 9 building permits were issued during March and 5 new business licenses and 6 renewals were issued.
She also offered a lengthy list of the numerous water and sewer jobs performed by Public Works and the Street Dept. From repairing leaks, hydrant jobs, meter related jobs, disconnects, flushing and installing cleanouts, to water slips, storm drain repairs, cutting grass and fallen trees, and installing new street signs, it has been a busy month! All of this work has been handled while also continuing to complete the street sweeping in neighborhoods.
Council also discussed a main line extension in Enterprise that would service 28 potential new customers along Enterprise stretch. City workers will replace the existing two-inch line with a six-inch line. The property owner has already paid to have this done; the city will pay some as well, but it was agreed that having City workers do the work, it will be an enormous cost savings overall. This work is scheduled to commence this summer.
The last order of business was to review Council members’ written evaluations of the City Manager’s performance. Having gathered a high number of positive marks, Council went into executive session to discuss this privately, and after doing so, they announced that Mrs. Drainer’s contract has been renewed for another year with a raise in pay.
