Marmet council members gave the go-ahead for Police Chief Charles Buttrick to continue night watch at the now closed Marmet Elementary.Photo byGMSV

MARMET, W.Va. -- At the Sept. 16 regularly scheduled town council meeting, Marmet council members discussed several items, including citizens posting “No Parking” signs on municipally-owned property. Panelist also passed a resolution permitting the town’s police chief to continue providing night security at the now vacant Marmet Elementary School.

Former school building security

Council members gave the go-ahead for Marmet Police Chief Charles Buttrick to keep securing the town’s former elementary school property at night. The county school district closed Marmet Elementary at the end of the 2023-24 school year. Marmet students now attend Chesapeake Elementary School, approximately three miles away.

After closing Marmet Elementary School, the Kanawha County Board of Education deeded the property to the municipality. Town officials said they continue to look for ways to utilize the facility, but as of now, the building remains empty.

“Those things [vacant properties] are targets for vandalism, copper theft, and those types of things,” Marmet attorney Scott McClure said Monday.

Buttrick has already been inspecting the property daily, officials said, doing interior checks to ensure the site remains safe. The new resolution permits him to continue the night scans at no additional expense to taxpayers.

“It doesn’t cost us any money,” McClure said. “It just authorizes the [police] chief to stay on the property at nighttime to secure the property.”

Marmet mayor David Fontalbert said the city is also looking to acquire additional surveillance to further guard the building and surrounding grounds.

“We’re working on replacing the video system,” Fontalbert said. “We certainly do not want to lose any infrastructure to the building.”

‘No Parking’ signs on public property

On Monday, Fontalbert said it was brought to his attention that some Marmet residents have posted “No Parking” signs on municipally-owned streets and right of ways.

Town attorney McClure said doing so “could be criminal.”

Council members were shown photographs with some of the "No Parking" signs. They agreed something should be done to rectify the matter.

To remedy the problem, the panel is asking the alleged offenders to voluntarily remove the signposts before taking further action.

Council members said they’ll include the removal request in the next issue of the town newsletter, which is sent to the community’s residents.

Other business

On Sept. 16, council members approved the first reading of an ordinance that restricts the use of tents and other temporary structures within town limits. The ordinance now moves to second reading.

Also on Monday, the panel:

• Heard a report on the city’s finances;
• Received updates from leaders of the town’s Police and Sanitation/Street Departments;
• Discussed the upcoming municipally-sponsored Trunk-or-Treat; and
• Discussed town staffing needs, among other items.

Town recorder Billie J. Fontalbert and council member Debbie Skeens were absent from the Sept. 16 meeting.

Marmet town council's next regularly scheduled meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21 at Town Hall, 9403 MacCorkle Ave.

Michael Ramsburg is a Kanawha County communities reporter. He can be reached at ramsburgreports@gmail.com or by calling 304-370-3067.