KANWHA FALLS, WV (WOAY) – In its October 8th board meeting, the Kanawha Falls Public Service District says West Virginia American Water told them they would begin repairs to sewer lines in Cannelton Hollow the week of October 19.
It was the first meeting the district had with it’s new operation and maintenance partner, West Virginia American Water.
WOAY has reached to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection inquiring if the water company had coordinated with the state agency and if they had approved corrective actions. We expect to hear back this week.
On September 24, the Circuit Court of Fayette County issued an agreed order of dismissal with prejudice and order dissolving preliminary injunction as E.L. Robinson Engineering Company and West Virginia American Water announced to the court that all matters and controversies have been fully resolved.
The engineering firm sued Kanawha Falls PSD over approximately $852 thousand dollars owed to them from he district for design plans. The money was allegedly not to included in the Fayette County Commission’s purchase agreement.
“Defendant Kanawha Falls Public Service District has not appeared in this action by person or by counsel at any stage of these proceedings,” the order reads.
At the board meeting WOAY asked the Kanawha Falls board president how the district’s debt to E.L. Robinson was satisfied and the response was, “I know nothing at this point.”
West Virginia American water was granted a limited intervention in the case at a preliminary hearing.
The Kanawha Falls PSD board said parties involved anticipate a closing date for the sale on December 2nd.
Closing the sale would likely require the forgiveness of taxpayer funded grants from the West Virginia DEP and Water Development Authority which were awarded to Kanawha Falls Public Service District.
According to the joint stipulation of agreement for settlement the Fayette County Commission is expected to assist the districts involved in the sale with waiver requests to these funding agencies.
WOAY asked the board if they had pursued forgiveness and indicated they had not. They also stated they have had no communication with any Fayette County Commissioner.
WOAY asked all three Fayette County Commissioners if they were actively pursuing forgiveness and requested an update on the status of repayment to these state agencies and have not received a response.
