The City of St. Albans swore in a new police officer Tuesday at their city council meeting.
"We have found a police officer who is willing to work and we are willing to put him to work," Mayor Dick Callaway said.
Callaway administered the oath of service to Matthew Cooper, who previously worked as a Huntington police officer.
"We were into hiring him when he got hired by Huntington. He went to Huntington, he was there for a couple of weeks, they did some layoffs, we reached out to him and he was real quick to get back to us," said Maj. Mike Farry, St. Albans police deputy chief. "It is kind of a shame what is going on in Huntington right now and I feel bad for those guys that lost their jobs, but I am excited that we can step up and help one of them out."
Cooper's St. Albans police badge was pinned by Mark Roberts, a retired State Police trooper.
In other action, council tabled an ordinance regarding Adams Avenue to council's next meeting for a re-writing.
"We are going to re-write it to make it clear" City Attorney Charles Riffee said. "They do not want it to go through and they do not want it to go left, so I have to re-write that."
After some discussion and questions about existing poles, council passed by unanimous voice vote on second reading an ordinance to install streetlights in the alley located in the 2000 and 2001 blocks of Lincoln and Wilson Avenues.
In other action, council approved by unanimous voice vote, the payment of current invoices in the amount of $12,649.82 presented by Ward 2 Councilman Jason Philabaun.
Councilman Philabaun also made a motion to pay ADA Solutions $5,130.00 for redbrick pavers for Streetscape.
The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
Callaway announced a follow-up meeting regarding dilapidated housing at 1:00 p.m. Feb. 22 in the upstairs of the BB&T building.
"The building department will be hosting a meeting," Callaway said. "There will be an assessment of our community."
Ward 3 Councilman Ron Colby recognized the appointment of a local to a state position by Gov. Jim Justice.
"I'd like to recognize someone in this city, working in the building department," Colby said. "Last week Governor Justice named Allan McVey the state insurance commissioner and I think that is an honor."
Ward 5 Councilman Chris Withrow thanked Kevin Pennington, director of Parks and Recreation, and the Public Works department.
"Kevin and his group at Public Works were down at Roadside Park painting our veteran's flag pole and they put a flag up today, flying proudly," Withrow said. "And I just want to give a shout out to those guys, especially Kevin because he promised me he would take care of that and by golly, he did."
Ward 7 Councilman and Vice-Mayor Desper Lemon announced a pancake dinner at St. Peter's United Methodist church from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 28.
"Everybody that hears this is welcome and we will have plenty," Lemon said. "The main event will be at 6:30 p.m. We are going to have a pancake flipping contest between the police department and the fire department."
All members of council were present at Tuesday's meeting.
Council's next meeting will be 7:30 p.m. March 6 on the second floor of the municipal building at 51 Sixth Ave.