Masontown OKs food trailer
MASONTOWN – Having hedged on the issue last month, borough council members gave their approval Tuesday for a couple to open a food trailer along South Main Street. However, the couple who requested the relevant zoning permit and mercantile license said they already found another location.
Council last month turned down a zoning permit for Shawn and Kathy Arnold, who planned to operate the trailer and prepare breakfasts and lunches for Duke Energy workers, but invited them to Tuesday’s meeting to further explain their intentions.
Shawn Arnold, an employee at the power plant construction site, gave council a printed handout and said he recently moved to Masontown and wanted to operate the food service as a business that would be open to anyone, on a lot owned by Kay Rendina. Rendina spoke out from the audience in favor of the plan.
Arnold said he already had state and county approval and objected to previous talk that his business could be too much competition to existing restaurants.
In response to questions from Councilman Tom Loukota, Arnold said he planned a permanent business and did not have exclusive rights to serve Duke Energy employees.
“This is a free enterprise. This is America,” Arnold said. “The other restaurants have had that opportunity (to serve the Duke Energy employees). If they aren’t doing it, it’s their problem.”
Councilman Joe Volansky said he had a number of concerns that included the zoning, traffic, water and sewage service, bathroom facilities, parking and hours of operation.
Councilwoman Sheilah McGalla and President Carole Daniels said they supported the business.
Councilmen Frank McLaughlin, Charles Popovich and Harry Lee said they had no questions or comments.
After a lengthy discussion, Arnold said his boss allowed him to set up the food trailer at the work site after a news report of council’s prior rejection of the plan for its placement along South Main Street.
“You did me a favor, but I’m fighting for the future,” he said.
Kathy Arnold said the couple no longer wanted to locate the business along South Main Street and they left the meeting.
After the Arnolds’ departure, Lee acknowledged their comments but made a motion to accept the zoning permit and mercantile license. The vote was 5-2, with Loukota and Volansky voting no.
In other matters, the borough received a donated police car in May and now has enough in grants and contributions to get another one.
Police Chief Richard Barron announced a $10,000 contribution toward purchase of the second car from Fluor Constructors, which is working at the Fayette Energy Facility. He said Fluor Constructors has thanked Masontown police for pledging their traffic-control efforts along Route 21 at the Duke Energy power plant site and given the police department the contribution toward the purchase of a new car.
He said Fluor Constructors also has pledged a $10,000 contribution toward the police pension fund. That money would be given to the department in January.
Barron said the police have a $10,000 check from a prior grant the department received through state Rep. H. William DeWeese (D-Waynesburg) and approval for a $5,000 grant that was obtained through state Sen. Richard Kasunic (D-Dunbar). He quoted the cost for a new police car at $23,500 through Fike Chevrolet-Jeep-Eagle Co. in Masontown.
Barron had questions about paying for the car now before receipt of the $5,000 grant, and McGalla said the issue would be discussed in an executive session. The Herald-Standard objected to private discussion of the matter when Daniels later announced an executive session. Daniels said the executive session was meant for an employee matter and payment of the police car would not be discussed.
Council members said nothing more about the car and took no action.
The police department in May received the surprise donation of a new police car from American Heavy Rigging and Hauling Co., which is working in conjunction with the Duke Energy project.
In another matter, Daniels asked Russ Mechling of Fayette Engineering to have specifications for new waterlines ready for the next council meeting.
Mechling said he had not yet prepared the specifications because he did not know how much council wanted to spend on the project, which he estimated could cost $60,000 to $100,000. He said at the same time a backwash tank with pumps and sludge equipment is needed for the sewage treatment system and could cost as much as $100,000.
Volansky said council would like to do the project in phases as money is available. Mechling said everything could be bid out and then the work performed as council chooses.