Bridgeport Fire Department has been a hub of life- and property-saving activity for more than a half century. It has served the community well and continues to do so, but the Main Street structure needs some major renovation.

 

That was the topic of discussion at a work session which preceded Monday evening’s Bridgeport City Council meeting. City Manager Kim Haws turned the floor over to Community Development Director Randy Spellman, who has worked closely with Chief Phil Hart and other members of BFD, as well as local architect, Richard Forren of Omni Associates, to develop a proposed new floor plan.

 

“Built in 1963 by Ray Blake, it is a great building, but we’re starting to put band-aids where, in fact, we need stitches,” Spellman said. “The front of the building has outlived its useful life.”

 

The proposed plan, Spellman said, is to tear off the front of the building, adding a small entry vestibule. Entry into the building can be through the front or the back, where a two-story training area will be located.

 

“We’ve also moved all the residential type amenities like the washer/dryer, bunk rooms, kitchen and lounge area upstairs,” Spellman said. “Downstairs will be training area, offices, administration and, of course, the garage.”

 

The proposed cost of the project is $980,000. Council has decided not to do the work in two phases as was previously discussed. At the direction of Council, a public notice to solicit construction bids will be published, Spellman said.

 

“It’s a good layout and everyone at the fire department is supportive of it,” Spellman said. “It will provide a better look from Main Street, as well as a more open and better atmosphere.”

 

The matter will be included on an agenda of an upcoming City Council meeting.

 

As was planned, the work session also featured conversation about a drug-related ordinance that members of Council are interested in pursuing.

 

“I’ve had conversations with (Police Chief) John Walker about three different ordinances passed by Martinsburg regarding enforcement to any rental property used as a site where drugs are manufactured or distributed,” Haws said. “The ordinances provide authority to penalize the owner of that property and Martinsburg feels it has been a good deterrent.”

 

The question, Haws said, is whether there is a big enough issue in the City of Bridgeport to develop such an ordinance.

 

With Clarksburg recently passing a similar ordinance and the possibility that other neighboring cities will do so, Spellman said Bridgeport may be targeted for drug activity at rental property since there is no ordinance in place. With that being said, he does not believe Bridgeport needs an ordinance to the magnitude of a city like Martinsburg.

 

The portion that Spellman would like to see enforced states that if within a 12-month period, there are two or more drug-related incidents on rental property, the landlord has a set number of days to evict the tenant and if he fails to do that, he can be held liable in municipal court.

 

“If there is interest by Council for us to pursue, I’d like to engage in a discussion with (Police) Chief Walker and (Deputy Chief) Randy Hartley and members of Council who might be interested in sitting down and talking with them, then come back with a recommendation to Council in terms of an ordinance,” Haws said.

 

The work session also featured an update on the Route 131 property purchase. Haws said information, including a topographical map, has been sent to a prospect who might be interested in working with the city in the development of the property.

 

Councilor Lowell Maxey suggested Council give some thought to better compensation for police officers as some of our experienced police force members are taking positions with other area law enforcement agencies.

 

An executive session also took place, during which time Council discussed potential property purchases and other matters.

 

As the regular Council session got underway, Mayor Andy Lang announced that City Recorder Hank Murray was excused from the meeting. George Bramble of Bridgeport United Methodist Church opened the meeting with prayer, after which the Pledge of Allegiance was said in unison.

 

Mayor Lang then delivered his report, starting with the rapid progress of the reopening of Clarksburg's Robinson Grand Theater.

 

“I publicly thank Clarksburg and its staff for really moving this project forward,” he said. “It will be phenomenal when it’s done and there are hopes of it opening in 2018.”

 

Lang also acknowledged North Central West Virginia Airport for implementing the new United Express flight service to Chicago and Dulles in DC which starts Nov. 1 and to the residents of West Virginia for voting to pass the road bond. Both will serve to greatly enhance our community and surrounding areas, he said. Council supported the road bond and Lang said he personally believes it’s going to be a big move forward to West Virginia and Bridgeport.

 

“We plan to work with the Department of Highways, making sure they understand what our needs are here inside the city and roads which lead to the city,” Lang said.

 

He also said progress is ongoing for the city’s new indoor recreation complex.

 

“We continue to have meetings and we are moving forward, pinning down the various amenities,” he said. “We’ll be prepared in November or December to let the public know where we are at.”

 

In his report, Haws said that beginning Oct. 25, Bridgeport Municipal Court will be held on Wednesday mornings, rather than evenings. He also announced that the West Virginia Municipal League board meeting will be held in Bridgeport Oct. 12-13.

 

During the awards and presentations portion of the meeting, proclamations were presented to both HOPE Inc. Task Force on Domestic Violence and the Harrison County Breast Cancer Awareness Committee.

 

Greater Bridgeport Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Michelle Duez delivered her annual report to Council, including the following highlights for the 2016-17 fiscal year:

"Marketing Bridgeport and bringing people to visit is one of the main missions of the Greater Bridgeport Convention and Visitors Bureau," Duez said. "Providing the best hospitality and working with local partners not only entices visitors, but creates a better environment for all. The economic impact of tourism is strong."

 

Duez advised that the CVB/Connect-Bridgeport staff anticipates moving into the newly-constructed building at Charles Pointe in the weeks to come.