South Charleston welcomed six new firefighters Thursday as they were sworn into service by Mayor Frank Mullens.
"Having more manpower enables us to be more professional in running calls and helping the citizens of South Charleston," said Virgil White, interim fire chief of the South Charleston Fire Department. "Our current manning staff is at 43."
Joshua Burdette, Jamie Dzierzak, Brandon Huffman, Patrick McCafferty, Christopher Snow and Brett Mannon joined the department as probationary firefighters.
A family tradition began with the swearing in of one firefighter on Thursday night. South Charleston Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Burdette's son was one of the probationary firefighters sworn in.
"It makes me very proud, I have always wanted to have a family tradition in the fire service," Jeff Burdette said. "I have been in the fire service almost 30 years now and I have been here for almost 22, and it is a great honor to have him in the fire department."
This position also is a dream come true for the younger Burdette.
"This is something that I have wanted since I was a kid," Josh Burdette said. "I remember when I got the call, I was the happiest I have been since my wedding day."
In other action, Council recognized military veterans and parade marshals of the Armed Forces Day Parade, Lawson Freeman (2013), Ken Samples (2014), Jack Jones (2015) and Dan Lanier (2016).
The men were honored with engraved plaques, which Mullens presented to them.
"I want to thank you all for your service and we are very proud to have you as a part of our community," Mullens said. "They honored us by being in our Armed Forces Day Parade."
Council also approved, by unanimous voice vote, the closing of D Street to 6th Avenue, Oakes Avenue and 7th Avenue from Oakes to Hog Alley from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 10 for the 38th annual Arts and Crafts Festival.
Council also passed by unanimous roll call vote a budget revision from the general fund to wrap up the final portion of funding for the construction of the new fire station.
In addition, a resolution to authorize an oil and gas agreement was passed by unanimous voice vote.
"Reserve Oil and Gas has been running a new gas line," Mullens said. "There were some properties they needed that were city property or we have the mineral rights."
The gas line began under Coonskin Park and is making its way toward Southridge Center, Mullens said.
"This is just another one that they have identified that they need over by the Thomas Hospital area," Mullens said. "It has been great for the City of South Charleston because we are getting a certain percentage of free gas, and we get royalties from where we own the mineral rights. It has been a great fit for us."
In other action, the first reading of an ordinance to prohibit drilling into and extraction of groundwater from certain property was passed by unanimous voice vote.
The ordinance has to do with the environmental cleanup of industrial sites. There already is legislation in place in the city to prohibit drilling in certain areas; this ordinance would just extend that area, Mullens said. The motion will advance to a second reading.
Also, a previously budgeted bid was presented by Ward 7 Councilman Jamie Sibold.
"Bids were sent out for a new garbage packer," Sibold said. "There were several sent in and I recommend the approval of the bid for World Wide Equipment in the amount of $127,401."
The bid was approved by unanimous roll call vote.
All council members were present at Thursday's meeting
Council's next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 on the second floor of City Hall, D Street.