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Wetzel County board authorizes superintendent to negotiate pipeline-relocation contract with Williams Ohio Valley Midstream LLC
Summary
The Wetzel County Board voted 4–1 to authorize the superintendent to negotiate a contract with Williams Ohio Valley Midstream LLC to relocate a pipeline affecting county property; board members debated safety, timing and engineering safeguards before the motion passed.
The Wetzel County Board of Education voted 4–1 to authorize the superintendent to negotiate and, pending final approval, enter a contract with Williams Ohio Valley Midstream LLC to relocate a high‑pressure pipeline affecting county land identified as parcel 51211.
The motion, moved by Mrs. Warner and seconded by Mrs. Nice, followed a technical briefing and questions about safety and timing. Board members said relocation is necessary to allow planned school construction; the board heard that engineers from Thrasher and Williams have reviewed plans and that the relocated pipe will be placed deeper and built to higher specifications.
“One of the reasons this room worked out … they’re taking all the necessary precautions that they would take with the school or a church or community,” an agency official said, describing engineering and siting precautions. The board was told crews would need about 45 days for certain pipeline tasks; large earthwork will take place in spring after a November–March tree‑clearing window.
A committee member who opposed the motion voiced safety concerns and described a history of pipeline incidents: “I’m very concerned about the pressure of it … That’s an accident waiting to happen,” the member said. The board did not identify specific alternatives on the floor beyond relocation and engineering mitigations.
The board’s attorneys and outside engineers have reviewed initial drafts of an agreement, members said; the authorization given Wednesday allows the superintendent to negotiate terms and bring a finished contract back to the board for ratification. The chair said relocation is required because the district cannot build over the existing pipeline alignment.
Motion outcome and next steps: the board approved the authorization by voice vote (4–1, with one recorded no). The superintendent will return to the board with final contract documents for ratification, and the district expects timber removal proceeds from tree clearing on the affected tract.
