Residents urge council to reject sale of municipal utility; public raises ethylene oxide and road-extension concerns

Several residents used the council’s public forum to press the city on utilities, air pollution and a local road issue.

Elias Schultz, who identified himself as a civil engineer and a St. Albans resident, said he was “distraught” to learn that West Virginia American Water had made an offer to buy the St. Albans Municipal Utility Commission’s water and sewer infrastructure. Schultz said the municipal utility commission had already rejected the offer; he urged the council to keep the utility public and said he believed selling would not serve residents’ interests.

Isaac Fadiga, another resident who lives near the city’s water plant, echoed Schultz and said he had experience with higher bills and repeated water-line failures in other jurisdictions; he told the council he preferred the current local utility operations.

A separate speaker, identified as Mary Lou, and other speakers raised concerns about ethylene oxide emissions and encouraged the council to oppose additional permits or pollution that could affect local air and streams. Mary Lou referenced a broadcast segment and urged the council to tell the state Department of Environmental Protection it does not want more pollution added to local waterways.

A resident identified as Amy Amends described a dispute about extending Park Road (Ackerman Road area) and said neighbors had filed claims opposing an extension; public works staff present confirmed the issue had been discussed at a public works meeting and that the city would seek counsel opinion before returning the matter to council if appropriate.

None of the public comments resulted in an immediate council action during the meeting; council members acknowledged the points and said staff or boards would follow up as appropriate.