New Martinsville City Council held a special meeting on April 15 as required by law to lay the levy that sets the amounts the city gets from county taxes. For fiscal year 2008-2009, for budget purposes, the amount will be $657,225.

Council also unanimously approved a motion by Casey Corliss and seconded by Doris Fannin to retire the city building’s debt of approximately $1.8 million when the city receives proceeds from the Willow Island or New Cumberland hydroelectric project, whichever is finalized first. This is contingent upon the event of receipt of monies.

At the April 7 regular meeting of New Martinsville city council, Mayor Jim Herrick, at council’s approval, signed a resolution pertaining to the execution of a power sales contract with AMP-Ohio.

Electric Department Manager Dave White noted that the market is now charging in excess of $76 per megawatt while the city is currently getting it at $39 per megawatt. A long-term solution is to diversify the city’s portfolio before the existing contract expires in May 2009.

“We’ve been fairly lucky in the past,” said White. “The market does not appear to be going down any time soon.” This contract is not a complete replacement for the city’s power source, but a portion of its power needs.

Council also okayed the electric department to go out for bids on a new Chevrolet S-10 truck. The full-size truck will cost about $19,000 and will be more fuel efficient than the current truck while still being able to haul tree trimming equipment. The electric department will then donate the 1997 model truck to the parks and recreation department.

Also, White reported that his department was ready to get some more American flags on utility poles along W.Va. 2. “They appear to be holding up pretty well,” he added of the cost-effective banners.

Councilman Keith Nelsen noted he has heard some complaints from veterans about the flags not being properly lit.

“There is absolutely no intention to show disrespect to the flag,” said White, who added that there aren’t enough poles with lights on them and they cannot afford to light every flag in the project.

Parks and Recreation Director Bev Gibb asked that signs be placed on Main Street in front of the Lincoln Theater to designate it as two-hour parking only on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Also under parks, seasonal full-time pay is $8 per hour as of July 1.

Chuck Stora reported that there is a problem at the Willow Island hydroelectric site with the U.S. Corps of Engineers. The group is pushing to excavate 5,000 cubic yards of soil to sift for more bones because some deer bones were found while conducting the archeological study there. It could delay AMP-Ohio’s installation of a coffer dam by six months. “It’s a shame to get the project held up over something like that,” said Stora. “They will not sign an agreement if you don’t do what they tell you.”

Finally, Councilman Steve Pallisco reported for the Riverfront Development Committee on their plans for the Festival of Memories to be held July 26. “We have a lot of ideas,” he said, noting they want to plan a full day of activities that will end with either a laser show or fireworks display.

He noted there will not be a River Heritage Days in New Martinsville this year, but some of that festival’s element, such as the popular car and quilt shows, will be part of the Festival of Memories.

Speaking of the overall goal of the committee to create an amphitheater and other riverfront developments, Pallisco said, “We are not using city funds. We’ve got to find economic development. This is just one piece of this economic package that we need.”