After seven years of dedicated efforts, New Cumberland’s water project should see completion before the snow flies.   City Council was informed at Monday’s meeting that the project is currently 34 % complete with phase 2 expected to complete by November 24.                    

      Residents of Still Street and Brickyard Bend can also rest easier after they learned their properties will be included in the project.    Mayor Will White told those in attendance that while the area was not included in the original project, the City was working to get the $115,000.00 necessary to bring the water lines to the area.   He said the Hancock County Commission has provided $40,000.00 towards the cost and  the City will be able to use funding from the  American Recovery Project  if necessary. Council learned that the project will not need to be bid out for the additional work, but will be able to submit a change order.

        New Cumberland will no longer be renting out the municipal building and the Community “C” House for either Junior Bears Basketball or making it available for  a local youth basketball group headed by Rich Zumer.  .  According to Councilman Don Blankenship, Zumer had attended a meeting of the Parks & Recreation Committee to advocate for his group which consists of high school basketball players.  Council voted to cease all basketball at the C House and Municipal Building.  Blankenship will also change the locks on the “C” House in the event any unauthorized keys to the building exist.

In other business Council:

   **Learned the Sewer Project closing occurred July 29, 2021 and the second draw on the Sewer project was approved.  The sewer project is made possible through grants and loans from the USDA;

    **Approved monthly invoices of $156,673.51;

    **Learned work on the Eden Valley Bridge is progressing;

    **Approved a pay raise from $9.50/hour to $10.00/hour for Ethan Hurl;

    **Agreed to hire four part-time policeman;

    **Agreed to pay Valley Tree Service $3,800.00 for tree trimming at Hines Park & River Avenue;

    **Approved purchase of a side-by-side vehicle from Kobuta Tractor.  The vehicle will be available to all City departments;

    **Renewed a lease for Adams Street access to the Ohio River with the WV DNR for $1/yaar;

   **Learned that a Flea Market will be held at the New Cumberland Park on August 15 beginning at 8 a.m.;

  **Scheduled the following Committee meetings:  Finance – August 10, 4:30 p.m.; Police – August 16, 4:30 p.m.; Streets – August 19, 4:30 p.m.; Water/Sewage – August 9, 5 p.m.;  Parades & Festival – August 11, 4:30.