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Council delays vote on barge facility
HUNTINGTON -- The City Council postponed action Friday on a resolution opposing the proposed 90-barge mooring facility along the banks of the Ohio River in Huntington's West End.
Several council members, gathered for a special meeting Friday, wanted questions answered before they voted against a barge fleeting facility proposed by Campbell Transportation Co. of Clairton, Pa.
Charles Holley, the city's director of development and planning, and Brandi Jones, director of administration and finance, said they would get the questions answered by the next meeting on Dec. 26.
Council members wanted to know if the facility operator would have to pay the city's business and occupation tax, while others were concerned about potential environmental pollution. Councilman Cal Kent wondered what the Army Corps of Engineers' and the transportation company's plan was to assess the amount of disturbance for residents along the Ohio River, both in and outside of the city.
Jim Ashworth, Huntington Sanitary Board vice chairman, expressed his concern about building of the barge fleeting facility. With combined sewer overflows going into the river at 1st Street and 7th Street West, Ashworth said the construction could damage or disturb the city's sewer system.
The Sanitary Board also was concerned with the size of the structures to be constructed, stating the tie-downs, noted in the public notice, would not be big enough to keep a 90-barge fleet fastened. Ashworth also wanted to make sure the Huntington riverbank would have erosion protection.
