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ELKINS -- Elkins City Council has voted to create a new Elkins Water Board to manage and operate the city's water system.
The ordinance creating the new board passed 7-1 on its second and final reading Wednesday evening. The only council member to vote against the ordinance was Third Ward Councilman Carman Metheny, participating in his last meeting before leaving council.
Before the vote on the ordinance, Fourth Ward Councilwoman Marilynn Cuonzo said, "I wasn't here for the last meeting … I'm just curious. Can someone explain to me what is going on with this?"
Elkins Operation Manager Bob Pingley said, "The reason I've asked the councilmembers to consider the Water Board is, water is such a technical, complex, highly regulated utility, especially drinking water. It's a subject that I believe needs a group that focuses strictly on that. Councilmembers have a lot to deal with, and don't really have the time to devote to the deeper parts of the subject.
"We have a Sanitary Board that does a very good job," Pingley said. "I think a Water Board would benefit the City of Elkins. The longterm goal is to create a combined Utility Board."
"Will it have an engineer?" Metheny asked.
"I don't think that's a requirement (for a Water Board) unless there's a project going on," Pingley said.
City Attorney Gerri Roberts said, "There is no requirement for an engineer to be on the board."
"Is it a paid position?" Metheny asked.
"At some point we would hopefully be able to compensate those (Water Board) members," Pingley said. "As of right now, it would simply be voluntary."
Voting in favor of the ordinance were First Ward Councilman Rob Chenoweth, Second Ward Councilmen Charles Friddle and Mike Hinchman, Fourth Ward Councilwomen Cuonzo and Karen Wilmoth, and Fifth Ward representatives Linda Vest and Dave Parker.
First Ward Councilwoman Judy Guye and Third Ward Councilman Chris Lowther were not present for the meeting.
The water board will consist of five members, one being the mayor "or the mayor's designee," and the other four being appointed by city council; however, they cannot be councilmembers, officers or employees of the City of Elkins. At least three of the board members, including the mayor, must be Elkins residents, and all five board members must be West Virginia residents. The board member's terms will run for four years.
The mayor will serve as chairman of the Water Board; the city treasurer will serve as the board's treasurer; and the city clerk will serve as the secretary of the board. Neither the treasurer or the city clerk will be considered a member of the water board.