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Weirton council approves firefighter hires, raises municipal service fee and passes ordinances
Summary
The Weirton City Council on Feb. 9 approved hiring six firefighters and reopening the County Road fire station, raised the municipal service fee from $2 to $5 per week (6–1), and unanimously passed two ordinances adjusting salaries and creating a vacant‑building registration program.
The Weirton City Council on Feb. 9 approved several measures aimed at bolstering public safety and adjusting municipal fees and policies.
Council members voted unanimously to hire six additional firefighters and reopen the County Road Fire Station and approved two ordinances on second reading: Ordinance No. 2270, updating salary ranges for specific non‑union municipal employees, and Ordinance No. 2271, establishing a Vacant Building Registration Program under Chapter 5 of the City Administrative Code.
Fire Chief Kevin Himmelrick said the firefighter hires and station reopening are “a significant step toward improving and equalizing fire service throughout the City,” and noted the department’s capital needs, including replacement costs he described as roughly $1.4 million for a fire engine, $1.8 million for a small ladder truck and $2.3 million for a large ladder truck.
The council also approved an amendment to the municipal service fee, increasing it from $2.00 per week to $5.00 per week. The ordinance passed on a roll‑call vote: Councilman Rick Stead, Councilwoman Brittany Holloway, Councilman Christopher Jonczak, Councilman Timothy C. Connell, Councilman Ralph Cunningham and Councilman Jesse Keeder voted yes; Councilman Anthony Rocchio voted no (6–1).
Brenda Mull, president of the Weirton Chamber of Commerce, spoke during public comment in opposition to the fee increase, warning it “could negatively impact local businesses and employees, particularly those earning lower wages, and could affect hiring and workforce retention.” Council members acknowledged the concern during debate but approved the measure.
Other actions approved without recorded roll‑call tallies included a resolution to enter into a property and liability insurance contract and the allocation of opioid settlement funds to a regional drug task force. Council recessed into an executive session on commercial competition (contracts) and reconvened later in the meeting.
Votes at a glance • Ordinance No. 2270 (salary adjustments): approved, motion approved 7–0. • Ordinance No. 2271 (vacant building registration): approved, motion approved 7–0. • Resolution to hire six firefighters and reopen County Road station: approved, motion approved 7–0. • Municipal service fee ordinance (increase $2→$5 per week): approved, roll call 6–1. • Resolution to enter into property and liability insurance contract: approved, motion approved 7–0. • Resolution to allocate $120,601 in WV opioid settlement funds to the Hancock‑Brooke‑Weirton HIDTA Drug Task Force: approved, motion approved 7–0.
The council received reports from department directors on paving plans, transit ridership and fleet updates, library staffing searches and community event scheduling. Mayor Dean Harris recognized Black History Month and announced a commemorative sign to honor John and Robertha Williams near the Dunbar Recreation Center. The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
