Cash News
MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS — Members of the Weirton Finance Committee met Thursday, recommending several items set to go before Weirton Council during its meeting next week. Members of the committee include, from left, Ward 7 Councilman Terry Weigel, Ward 6 Councilman Enzo Fracasso, and Ward 3 Councilman Fred Marsh. — Craig Howell
WEIRTON — Preparations for winter and the purchase of equipment for the city’s safety forces were among items recommended Thursday by the Weirton Finance Committee.
Weirton Council will consider, during its meeting Monday, a resolution for the purchase of road de-icing salt for the upcoming winter months.
Under the contract, if approved by council, the city will pay $77.69 per ton of salt delivered to Weirton.
Members of the committee noted the contract was less expensive than in previous years.
“It’s substantially cheaper,” Public Works Director Allen Hess said, noting the contract would cost approximately $13 per ton less than the city’s agreement from 2023.
In September 2023, council approved a salt contract for $90.86 per ton delivered, while in August 2022, it cost the city $89.86 per ton. The cost in 2021 was $75.50 per ton.
“You can tell they didn’t sell much last year,” Ward 7 Councilman Terry Weigel said.
Two of the recommended expenditures are for equipment in support of the city’s firefighters, with a contract to purchase eight sets of protective firefighting coats and pants at a cost of $36,723, and five self-contained breathing apparatuses at $39,123.88.
Ward 3 Councilman Fred Marsh asked if the coats and pants were part of the regular rotation established by the Weirton Fire Department
Fire Chief Kevin Himmelrick affirmed that was the case, explaining the gear has a limited life span and must be destroyed when it reaches that point.
“After 10 years, it’s not allowed to be used,” Himmelrick said.
For the SCBA units, Himmelrick noted they would be for use on a new truck, currently scheduled for delivery to the city in July 2025.
“We have five packs on each truck,” he said.
The units are being purchased now, he explained, as newer packs going on the market are not compatible with face masks and other equipment currently in use by the department. Those will all need to be replaced, eventually, he said.
Pending council approval, the Weirton Police Department will receive a new Live Scan System, at a cost of $28,995.
Police Chief Charlie Kush explained the system is a digital fingerprint scanner and is used for taking and storing mugshots of those arrested. The data is then stored in a database, which is tied into a system used by the West Virginia State Police.
“Ours right now is the second oldest in the state,” Kush said, explaining it isn’t always operating properly and maintenance won’t be available for much longer. “Next time it breaks, they said we’re out of luck.”
Other items recommended by the Finance Committee, Thursday, include:
A contract for GASB 34 Accounting Services with Kozicki, Hughes and Tickerhoof PLLC for $30,000;
The allocation of $5,000 for the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center, using civic contribution funds designated by Marsh;
The purchase of 1,000 luminaria for the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Lights of Hope” event, using $2,500 from civic contribution funds designated for Ward 5 Councilwoman Flora Perrone.