FOLLANSBEE — On Tuesday, city officials responded to questions about the impact of the East Palestine train derailment on river water serving its residents and discussed improvements to local parks and the Follansbee Community House.
Mayor David Velegol Jr. was asked whether steps had been taken to prevent chemicals released from the derailed train cars from entering intakes at the Ohio River for the city’s water treatment system.
The city is among local municipalities that treats water from the river for drinking and other purposes.
But Velegol noted it also has access to water from wells inland from the river. He said when the city received word that contaminants from the spill could reach the intakes, staff shut off pumps from the river and drew from the wells instead.
Follansbee merged with the former Hooverson Heights Public Service District in the 1980s. Though the city is closer to the Ohio River, it draws on wells inland from the river and about 70 feet underground to provide water to its downtown customers.
But treated water from the river is used to serve customers in the Hooverson Heights and Eldersville Road areas, a practice that began under the Hooverson Heights PSD.
In more recent years, a link was established between the two systems so either could serve as a backup for the other.
The two treatment systems serve more than 3,600 customers combined.
Officials in Steubenville and Toronto reported six days after the derailment, small traces of butyl acrylate, one of the chemicals spilled by the train, were found in the river near their intakes and steps were taken to prevent it from reaching customers.
Velegol said samples were taken near Follansbee’s intakes within the same timeframe, and the chemical wasn’t found. He said staff continues to monitor the water for it.
In related business, Joe Edmiston, an independent grant writer working for the city, advised he has applied for $2.7 million in state funds to provide the local match required of the $10.2 million grant U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., secured for improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment system.
The project involves upgrades to the city’s wastewater treatment plant and pump stations near the city’s fire station and south end and the separation of combined sewer and stormwater lines.
Council also discussed proposals from M&G Architects and Engineers of Wheeling for the Community House and local parks.
The latter included a new one that may be established along the Allegheny Creek on property once occupied by two buildings removed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency buyout program.
The structures were removed to prevent a culvert beneath one and a driveway to the other from becoming clogged and the creek’s waters flooding into the city as they did in 2016.
City officials have considered extending a bridge over the culvert to a set of city steps adjacent to the property.
Velegol said the architects also have ideas for a pickleball court and a local history display incorporating a coke oven door recovered from the former Mountain State Carbon plant by Paul DiGiacinto.
He said the court and display could be established at the new park or an existing one.
“Nothing’s been engineered at this point. These are just ideas we want to sit down and discuss with them,” the mayor told council.
Improvements to the Community House include new sofit, fascia and flooring; an expanded kitchen and a handicap accessible ramp to the front entrance.
Third Ward Councilman Nick Cekinovich, 4th Ward Councilwoman Alexis Russell and 2nd Ward Councilman Charles McCoy said they feel the bridge is much needed while expressing concern about funding for the other projects.
Russell and 5th Ward Councilwoman Wendy DeAngelis said other improvements at local parks, such as restrooms and basketball courts, are sorely needed.
Velegol said he’s trying to line up projects that may be eligible for upcoming grants and require engineering.
Council is expected to discuss them further at a meeting at 6 p.m. Monday to discuss the budget for the next fiscal year.
Council also tabled a building permit application for two storage buildings Empire South Terminal hopes to construct on former Follansbee Steel property at the city’s south end.
A division of Empire Diversified Energy, the company has secured $15 million in bonds from the state Economic Development Authority to develop a port along the riverfront.
Farley Wood, an engineer with Empire, said the buildings will be used to store coils and other nonflammable materials and built on pads remaining from the Follansbee steel plant.
He said some initial excavation and the pouring of footers is needed, work he doesn’t believe requires a permit.
Velegol said City Manager Joe DiBartolomeo, had asked for more details, and he would consult him first.