In the first meeting for new Bridgeport City Manager Brian Newton, the city saw the 35^th member of the Bridgeport Police Department sworn in.

 

Mayor Andy Lang administered the oath to the city’s newest member, Tyler McHenry, in front of Council, fellow officers, family members, and Interim Chief Mark Rogers. The hiring of officers is not complete, but additional hires, up to three or four more, will be for full time positions at United Hospital Center.

 

McHenry recently completed his training at the West Virginia State Police Academy.

 

Prior to him taking the oath, he was joined at the front of City Council chambers by other officers and Rogers. The reason for that stemmed from Lang reading a proclamation in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

 

“It is nice to be in a community like Bridgeport where you have the support of the community,” said Rogers. “That isn’t always the case.”

 

Bridgeport Community Development Director Andrea Kerr then provided a 10-minute presentation on the status of her department, featuring accomplishments of the past year and what lies ahead. More on Kerr’s report will be include in the days ahead on Connect-Bridgeport.

 

In new business this evening, the first item addressed by Council was the item with the biggest price tag. Council was asked to approve the low, certified bid for the 2022 standard milling and resurfacing of asphalt streets after a bid opening Thursday.

 

City Engineer Beth Fox told Council Anderson Excavating was the successful low at $456,322.44, which was close to the engineering estimate of $450,000. The bid was approved, along with a 10 percent contingency, for a price of $501,95468.

 

The streets included on this year’s list are Juniper Drive from Route 26 to Mulberry Lane; Stout Street from West Philadelphia to Olive Street; all of Glen Avenue; all of Holt Street; Olive Street from Stout Street to house number 240; James Street from Hall Street to upper end; all of Forrester Boulevard; Parkview Drive from apartments entrance to Genesis Boulevard; all of Sheffield Court; Orchard Avenue from Newton Avenue to Route 50; Meadowbrook Mall Road from mall sign to Meadowbrook Mall loop; and all of Oakdale Avenue.

 

Projects will not start until after July 1, Fox told Council. The reason, she said, is that the city will wait for utility work being planned on several of the streets to be paved to be completed first.

 

The number of roads being worked on this year is much smaller than the past. However, Fox pointed out that it is rare to do projects as large at the Meadowbrook Mall, which is a four-lane road with a portion that is five lanes, she said. Forrester Boulevard is also a substantial multi-lane project.

 

In other business, Council approved the recommendation of a façade improvement grant for E&C Properties, LLC at 422 East Main Street. You can read about that project HERE.

 

Council also approved changes for the city’s façade program as noted above and economic development grants. The changes will be done by ordinance, with the first of two readings taking place last night.

 

The change, if approved on final reading at the next meeting, would see the maximum façade improvement grant go from a reimbursement of 25 percent of total investment from the current rate of 20 percent. The maximum reimbursement would go from $10,000 to $12,500.

 

The other part involves the economic development grants. The Bridgeport Development Authority recommended – and was approved - that the cap of $50,000 be removed for public entities, which would be groups such as the Benedum Airport Authority, the Harrison County Commission, or other government related agencies that may own property in the city. The reason for the change is some of the entities in question are witness to projects in the millions of dollars.

 

There will be no limit on the amount provided. However, the money can only come from the business and occupation taxes derived from the project seeking the incentive grant.

 

At the start of the meeting, Mayor Andy Lang officially welcomed Newton. Newton addressed the group gathered and announced he was looking forward to serving Bridgeport. He also provided his first city manager’s report, updating multiple items, but started with a statement about the city.

 

“We have a lot to be proud of. I can see exactly why it says, ‘Opportunity Lives here,’” said Newton, regarding the city’s moniker at entrance points. “We have a lot of opportunity.”

 

The city also gave preliminary approved an alley abandonment, which is fairly standard in most cases. The abandonment was for Linda DeRosa, at 517 Willis Avenue. The matter will not have to be presented again before Council, including a public hearing and legal notification before final approval.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows new City Manager Brian Newton addressing Council Monday, while in the second photo Tyler McHenry takes the oath for Bridgeport Police Officer from Mayor Andly Lang. In the third photo, Lang reads a proclamation in honor or Peace Officers Memorial Day. In the bottom photo, McHenry poses with family following his being sworn in.