The first meeting of 2025 for the Sutton Town Council was held on February 13 due to the cancellation of the January meeting resulting from inclement weather.
Recorder/Acting Mayor Robyn Dolan asked those in attendance to continue keeping Mayor JD Hoover in their thoughts and prayers during his recovery. His wife, Carolyn, said he was very thankful for everyone’s support.
A good portion of the meeting was devoted to a discussion concerning Appalachia Timber Services and the odors and noise coming from the facility. Council member Jon Crum presented two letters with affidavits that he sent to ATS requesting they come to Municipal Court on March 3 to face citations for those offenses. All the other council members went on record to state they did not agree to the letters and were not part of any citations issued. Recorder/Acting Mayor Dolan further related she had specifically asked Crum not to send the letters until after they could be discussed during the council meeting. Questions concerning the legalities of the citations were discussed including whether or not ATS was in town limits.
Town resident Art Tevis spoke to council members about his concern over the odors stating that the odor is sometimes “so strong I can’t breathe.”
Council member Beth Atkins noted that a previous lawsuit had been brought against ATS and as part of the settlement, inspections are completed. She had on hand the report from September 2024. In December 2024 another inspection had been completed and she was waiting on that report. The reports show that ATS is in compliance with requirements previously set forth. Attorney Clinton R. Bischoff was the trustee of a fund created as part of the settlement that can provide funds for medical issues directly related to the facility and their outputs.
The meeting opened with a presentation on the North Hill Road drain project. Council reviewed the requisitions and approved the lowest bid of $662,682.40 from Wolfe’s Excavating out of Clarksburg on a motion by Jon Crum. A pre-construction meeting will be held in approximately two weeks. Work will not begin until after the end of the school year.
Next Braxton County Commission President Lisa Godwin spoke to council members. First she discussed the abandonment of 3rd Street that goes through the middle of the county’s current parking lot. With the abandonment, the county would like to take it over and then would be able to pave and paint the lot creating more parking spaces. She noted plans were in place to possibly have a kayak boat launch constructed down next to the bridge. Previously, the town council had discussed using the 3rd Street access to have a kayak launch area installed.
Commission President Godwin went on to discuss the council submitting a letter of support to extend the Elk River Trail from Gassaway to Sutton. The project is expected to cost approximately $800K and work is already being completed for grants to fund the project.
Recorder/Acting Mayor Dolan thanked the town workers for trying to keep up with the road conditions during the recent bad weather.
She stated she would be reaching out again to DOH to get projects completed on roads within the municipality owned by the state.
Jon Crum addressed concerns about the brick roads and the ice buildup. He stated sand or gravel needed to be dropped on those streets to help with traction.
Crum also requested the crosswalks be repainted, specifically at the three-way stop as it is creating unsafe conditions.
Council discussed the burn pile along the river. Acting Mayor Dolan stated the town had received a complaint from the DEP. The plan is to conduct one last burn of the pile with the assistance of the Sutton Volunteer Fire Department before shutting the burn pile down completely.
Beth Atkins discussed the snowflakes that were purchased for the town. She stated currently she had nineteen snowflakes and she had received another donation of $300 to purchase one more. She would use money from the beautification fund to cover the remaining costs of the snowflake, as the total is approximately $450, and would also purchase four bags of replacement bulbs to have on hand. Work needed to be completed on a few of the poles since there were issues with the lights.
Council also discussed contacting Mon Power to get work done on street lights that are out or not working correctly.
Atkins also discussed waiving the fees for building rental for organizations or individuals who wanted to hold regular exercise classes. She stated those wanting to use the facility for that purpose would be required to complete a contract outlining their plans for the classes and they would have to come before the council to receive approval. The request was approved on a motion Beth Atkins with Jon Crum voting against the request.
In regular action the council approved the minutes of the December 12 meeting. the payment of bills and the construction permit for 809 N. 6th Street on separate motions all led by Catherine Hoover.
Council discussed placing out for bid the concrete pad for the town property on Town Hill.
Council member Beth Atkins presented a letter from the Sutton Public Library requesting the release of the budgeted funds in the amount of $2500 for programming at the library. The request was approved on a motion by Catherine Hoover.
Council went into executive session at 7:11 pm to discuss employee 2021-110 and ATS. They reconvened at 7:48 with no decisions made. The next regular meeting is set for March 13 at 6:00 pm.