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Richard-area business owners press Monongalia commissioners for drainage help as state jurisdiction complicates fixes
Summary
Several Richard-area residents and business owners told the county commission on Feb. 25 that recurring flooding and clogged drains are harming businesses and property values; commissioners said they are limited by state jurisdiction over many ditches but will press the Department of Highways and seek partnerships.
Multiple residents on Feb. 25 urged the Monongalia County Commission to act on persistent flooding and clogged drainage in the Richard area, describing repeated property damage and local efforts to manage the problem.
Chad Matheny, who owns several local businesses, thanked the sheriff for patrols and said state-contracted crews have spent days doing work that local operators could complete in hours; he urged the commission to consider subcontracting local excavating firms to clear drains. "If the drains aren't open, there's no place for the water to go," Matheny said, urging a solution to recurring ice dams and runoff that flood parking lots.
Roger Phillips described water and debris flowing through Richard after roadwork and said property owners have repeatedly had to clear ditches themselves. He proposed that, if the county cannot fund repairs, property owners might pool resources and seek a temporary property-tax break to enable self-funded remediation: "If the county commission doesn't have the money to help us...what I would like is get a a break on our property taxes for 3 years...We pull our money together, and we come up with a proposal to fix it ourselves," Phillips said.
Robert Taylor, finance officer for American Legion Post 174, thanked the commission for prior grants that support veterans but also noted the post's ongoing costs to address flooding on its property.
Commissioners acknowledged the complaints and described limits on county authority over state roads and roadside ditches. Commissioner (speaker 4) told the public that the county is "limited on what we can do as a county" when state Department of Highways (DOH) property is involved, but said commissioners will continue to press DOH and participate as partners in solutions where possible.
No formal action or funding appropriation occurred at the meeting; commissioners said they would convene with state and local stakeholders to explore options and follow up after the meeting.
Next steps noted in the meeting record included county staff and commissioners meeting with state representatives and conservation partners to seek coordinated approaches to drainage and to share contact information for follow-up.
