Marty Seufer, right, councilmember, discussed an ordinance on the regulation of group residential homes during the Williamstown City Council meeting on Tuesday. Councilmember Jim Stage, left, is also pictured. (Photo by James Dobbs)

WILLIAMSTOWN — Williamstown City Council discussed group residential home regulation and the old Williamstown Elementary School during its meeting on Tuesday.

“As this opioid thing unfolds and money becomes available, there will probably be a lot of people very creative about wanting money,” said Marty Seufer, councilmember. “I’ve seen Parkersburg first and then Vienna had come out with zoning regulations regarding group residential homes and felt we probably ought to get on that sooner than later.”

Seufer shared the ordinance that Vienna passed, which was based on Parkersburg’s ordinance, with council. Council unanimously agreed to send the ordinance to the Planning Commission to review and give input to council.

Council unanimously approved Mayor Paul Jordan to sign another release agreement as part of West Virginia’s opioid litigation. The funds received will help offset the opioid epidemic that has affected West Virginia.

Jordan gave an update on the progress of the old Williamstown Elementary School. The asbestos abatement will be starting this week, he said.

Pat Peters, left, councilmember, discussed a new award given to the city of Williamstown during the Williamstown City Council meeting on Tuesday. Also pictured is Councilmember Randy Dick. (Photo by James Dobbs)

“We worked this weekend, moved some different things, and we’re as prepared as we can be to start this journey,” he said.

Councilmember Randy Dick asked how long the abatement process would take. Jordan explained that the contractor from Justice Business Services LLC said it could take four months, but ultimately depends on what they find.

Council voted to move its next meeting on Nov. 1, from the city building to the Williamstown Middle/High School Auditorium. This is due to early voting for the Nov. 8 general election.

Pat Peters, councilmember, said the Tree City group will be presenting a free tree pruning workshop on Nov. 5 from 9-11 a.m. in the Williamstown Middle/High School cafeteria. The class will begin with 45 minutes of classroom instruction and end with 45 minutes of hands-on instruction in Tomlinson Park. Sam Adams, urban forester with the West Virginia Division of Forestry, will be the presenter.

The city of Williamstown will host the first Williamstown Community and Information Day on Nov. 5 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Williamstown Fire Station.

Mayor Paul Jordan gave an update on the old Williamstown Elementary School during the Williamstown City Council meeting on Tuesday. (Photo by James Dobbs)

There will be a multitude of information booths from community members, face painting and snacks. To reserve a table, contact the Williamstown City Building at 304-375-7761. Tables must be reserved by Monday, Oct. 24, at 12 p.m.

“So far we’ve had a tremendous response,” said Jordan. “Hopefully it just brings people together and gets them out.”

Peters made an announcement that Williamstown has been chosen by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection as this year’s W.Va. Make It Shine Community Award Grand Prize Winner. As the winner, the city will receive an award, a check for $1,000, and two signs designating Williamstown as a W.Va. Make It Shine Community. Peters thanked the Williamstown Lions Club for its support.

“They do a tremendous job with the community not only in the park, but when they go out and do their walks and clean up the garbage on the Highland Avenue,” he said. “They do a lot to support this community and I do want to shout out to them because they have helped us get this award.”