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Donation to benefit Upshur fire departments

BUCKHANNON — The Buckhannon City Council heard details surrounding a donation that could help area firefighters in a big way. Buckhannon Fire Department Jim Townsend briefed the City on breathing apparatuses that are available from Rancho Cucamonga, California.

The donation will grant high-pressure self-contained breathing apparatuses to five fire departments within the county, including Buckhannon, Ellamore, Washington District, Warren District and Banks District Fire Departments. The equipment would offer twice as much pressure, resulting in 18 minutes of response time, as opposed to the 12 they operate under currently.

Mayor David McCauley recommended that council authorize Townsend and City Attorney Tom O’Neill to begin drafting a letter indicating they wish to move forward with the donation.  McCauley said they will work together to find the most cost-effective method of transporting the equipment. A motion was made by Councilman Robbie Skinner and seconded by Councilwoman Pam Cuppari.

In other Council business:

• Council approved two new members to the Housing Authority, filling the vacancies left by two resignations. Alan Cool and Cathy Frye will now hold those posts by motion made by Councilwoman Mary Albaugh and seconded by Councilman C.J. Rylands.

• The Council also appointed Councilwoman Albaugh to the Upshur County Convention and Visitors Bureau Board.  The motion was made by Rylands and seconded by Skinner. The Board has an additional vacancy left to fill.

• The Council approved a requested from Chapel Hill United Methodist Church to move forward with its annual hay ride. The Church hadn’t presented the proposal to the Consolidated Public Works Board in time; so, the action required Council approval. The motion was made by Skinner and seconded by Albaugh.

• Council received Scott Preston on behalf of UCARE in response to the City’s signing of a proclamation acknowledging Red Ribbon Week.

“I am encouraged that the City of Buckhannon has placed an emphasis on addiction and recovery,” Preston said. “They both go hand in hand.”

Preston invited the public to attend a screening of “Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Public Safety Complex. He noted that the film is age appropriate and geared toward all families with teens and young adults. Light refreshments will be offered.

The next regular meeting of Buckhannon City Council will be 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Public Safety Complex.

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