Hundred City Councilman Rick Kolat announced on April 21 that the next meeting of the Hundred city council would be his last because he is moving out of the town. Due to the absence of Mayor Charles Sine, no discussion was held to determine how a replacement for Kolat would be found, but the issue will be discussed at the next council meeting on May 5.

A new housing development, an amended landlord ordinance, and a request for historical photos were the main topics of discussion at the Monday night meeting.

John “Dan” Barr and Paula M. Barr came before council to discuss a proposed development of a 40-plus acre plot of land west of W.Va. 250 in the Hundred city limits. Barr said the current rough road to the property was too steep and he questioned the council about alternative access roads to the site. Barr wants to build a log home on the site as a prototype to several homes he hopes to construct.

After examining maps of the city and looking at materials the Barrs presented, the council said they would investigate the matter and asked the Barrs to return to the May 5 meeting to learn their findings. Council Recorder Sherry Hayes also recommended the Barrs research maps at the courthouse to see who may own adjacent property in the areas of possible access. Councilman Philip Lightner thought there might be possible access through city owned property, but he would make a report later.

Council also approved and executed the first reading of two new ordinance amendments, “Refuse Collection Disposal Ordinance Amendment,” and “Police Fee Ordinance Amendment” “. . holding landowners with rental properties responsible for garbage and police fees.” The ordinance stipulates “homeowners include the garbage and police (fee) in the rent” and the garbage statement will be sent to the homeowner, not the tenant.

Councilman Dan Curry moved and Councilwoman Jean McClelland seconded that the ordinance be submitted for legal publication as read; motion carried with no dissenting votes. Hayes said the ordinances will go into effect after the third reading.

Citizen Keith Williams, whose home is across W.Va. 250 from the post office, returned to register another complaint against the continued dilapidated condition of the property next door belonging to Paul Abel of Paden City. According to Williams, Abel’s porch is falling onto his property, the property is vacant, and the water from the house floods his basement because it has no gutters or downspouts to channel the water away from his home. Williams said he consulted his attorney who advised him to attempt to resolve the problem through the town first. Williams said the town has codes that they needed to enforce. He also said if the town did not enforce the building code, he would take legal action to get the neighboring property cleaned up.

Several items of good news were reported, the principal of which was the success of the Hundred historical DVD which went on sale last year and has already added funds to the Christmas celebration in excess of several thousand dollars. The creators of the DVD, Lightner and Hayes, said they have had so many requests that they are making another DVD, this time including many older photos, from 1860 to 1960—a hundred years of Hundred. They are asking for anyone who has photos of the Hundred, Littleton, Burton, Earnshaw, or any surrounding communities, people, businesses, cars, or veterans to please submit the pictures to them. “We will take good care of them while they are here being copied,” Lightner promised. Anyone who has any photos is asked to bring them to City Hall or contact Hayes or Lightner. They hope to have another DVD ready for the July 4th celebration and for reunions and Christmas gifts. “They really have been popular,” he said.

More good news, Bert Anderson of the Hundred VFD came before council to report the department now has a Chevy Blazer that they are going to adapt and use on smaller fire department runs that do not require a big fire truck. Anderson said this would really save on the expensive fuel costs of the larger trucks. He also requested the city consider donating to the purchase of four portable and two mobile radios that would enable the police to stay in contact with the fire unit during an emergency. He said the cost of the radios, which would be purchased used from Monongah VFD, would be $400 plus a $100 fee to reprogram the equipment.

Councilman Kolat said if the fire department needed it, they “ought to help them out.” Council voted unanimously to donate $500 to the Hundred VFD for the communications upgrade. Anderson heartily thanked the town for its contribution.

Returning to the issue of garbage, council discussed Spring Cleanup, which will be May 5, 6, and 7, reminding people only Hundred residents whose garbage bills are not in arrears are eligible to participate. “If the bill is three months past due, you are not eligible for this extra service,” said Hayes.

The council also warned that any out-of-towners who illegally haul trash items into Hundred will be prosecuted.