Beech Tree News Network

The Morgantown City Council convened on October 12, 2023, for a regular meeting. The meeting was attended by all council members.

Under recognition, Friends of Butler County Animals wanted to thank the city for the grant.  There were fifty-five cats that were taken care of with the trap, neuter, return process, which works to prevent overpopulation .  They have taken care of the colonies at Howard Trailer Park behind Sonic and Dollar General.  Friends of Butler County Animals are currently working on colonies at Huff Ingram, Bell St., Oak Hill, and Valhalla Village.

Planning and Zoning reviewed and approved a permit  on their regular meeting on October 3.  They finished updating amendments and discussed upcoming trainings.

Utilities stated two projects that would be set to accept bids.  One will be for valves in the water system that will allow for the water to be shut off if there is a leak, so work can be completed.  The other project is at the sewer plant to replace items that are 33-years old and no longer working. 

The Housing Authority will also have bids going out soon to finish replacing furnaces and heat pumps.  There are currently 40 units that need new furnaces and 20 units that need new heat pumps.  They are also finishing flooring replacement as well.  HOTMA over-income limits were also explained as if a family is deemed over-income, they will have two years to lower their income.  If after two years they are still over-income, they will have three months to vacate from Housing Authority property.  The Housing Authority has opened their waiting list for two, three, four, and five bedrooms and are currently at 97.8% occupancy.

The MOGO Bus had 1,242 rides and 492 meals served. 

Code Enforcement has been able to resolve 4 cases and started 2 new cases.  There was one lien removed from a property that had come back into compliance.  Code Enforcement and a member from Planning and Zoning attended a Land Mitigation Hazard training that was offered by FEMA in Bowling Green.  That training counts toward the House Bill 55 requirements from the state and both passed.

The fire department reported there were two structure fires in the city and zero in the county, calls council route in the county two and city zero, traffic control in county was three and city zero.  There was one vehicle accident in both the city and county, calls for service in the county were two and city zero.  There was a total of 12 runs and 22 page out calls.  There was a state training held at Fifth District comprised of both Fire Department and Rescue Squad together, with about 25 to 30 people in attendance.

The police department reported that officers answered 270 dispatch calls for service, worked 9 motor vehicle accidents, made 18 arrests, and opened four new criminal cases.  They made 53 traffic stops, of which they wrote 31 traffic citations, in addition to 5 courtesy notices for parking violations.  There was a total of 14 alcohol related calls which brought the total calls for service to 1,097.

 The city clerk reported that they attended the KLC conference in Lexington, which four council members were able to attend as well.  Dana and Jessica were sent around to businesses in town to start planning the Trick-or-Treat on Main Street, which will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Finalization of details for the Holiday Hoopla is taking place for November 18^th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Main Street.