Just as hope for a stormwater drainage project in the town of Rainelle was beginning to fade, Gov. Jim Justice announced that the community would be receiving a nearly $10 million grant to finally make the project happen.
During the Monday, Nov. 8, meeting of the Rainelle Town Council Mayor Robin Williams stated that she received a call to meet with the governor in Alderson last week.
“I didn’t know why I was going, but I was very pleased once I got there and found out the reason for that visit,” Williams said.
The exact amount awarded to the town through a Community Development Block Grant was $9,955,000.
Williams added that next week town officials will be meeting with the Region 4 Planning and Development Council and those with Thrasher Engineering, who have been working on the plan to create a stormwater drainage channel, to discuss moving forward with actual construction.
“We are very excited about that,” Williams added.
“The last time they were here, they weren’t sure what was happening,” responded Recorder Eddie Midkiff. “I didn’t know if we would ever see anything.”
At the earliest, construction on the project will begin in the spring, however, Williams said they will have more details by the next council meeting.
In other Rainelle business,
– Council approved a monthly charge for dumpster rental.
According to Williams, the current setting fee for a dumpster is $75 for a four-yard dumpster and a $100 fee for a six-yard dumpster. Traditionally, there is no monthly fee for the dumpster, so it could remain on a property indefinitely at no additional charge. Now, the setting fee will cover the cost of the first month and dumpster rentals will now cost an additional $50 per month. Williams said that the dumpster use is in high demand at this time, which led to the monthly fee.
“We have a lot of people calling and wanting them,” she said. Most of those who want the dumpsters are cleaning out their homes;
– Midkiff said that the town will “try to do a fix for the winter” on the stormwater drainage grate located near Poplar Street to prevent residents from puncturing a tire until a permanent fix can be made;
– Council stated that they are willing to donate the land at the former King Coal Hotel site to the Rainelle Farmers Market. Williams said that she has been talking to those in charge of the farmers market and that they would be willing to take over the land. However, if they ever decide to close the farmers market, they would like to donate the land back to the town;
– Council agreed to sell a Dodge Durango, a school bus and the old trash truck. Bids will soon be accepted;
– Police Chief JP Stevens asked to be placed on the town’s forfeiture account. He said the account should be handed down from police chief to police chief, instead of council members. Williams said she will go to the bank and discuss what needs to be done.
The next meeting of the Rainelle Town Council will take place on Monday, Nov. 22. The meetings are currently being streamed on the town’s Facebook page.
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