McMechen no longer under boil order after interim water operator brought on

McMECHEN, W.Va. — McMechen Council met Thursday evening to discuss plans to resolve some city issues.

Council began its meeting with old business then voted on the new 2nd Ward council seat, which will be an addition to the council.

City Clerk Cynthia Blake provided an update on the mayoral position and what that process will look like for council.

PREVIOUS REPORTING:Lack of chief water operator keeps McMechen under a boil order

“The city is a council strong city, so I want to make sure that we have a strong council before we put somebody in that mayor seat from council and lose somebody else,” Blake said.

McMechen lost its water operator late last month and the city was under a boil order until Wednesday.

The city was actively looking to hire a technician but kept the water to the highest standards during that month.

“This boil order did put a tremendous hit on us,” Blake said. “But Ryan and ARCAP and Rural Water were all in there and were doing sampling. We just didn’t have a chief operator at the time. Now that that’s in place, we have an interim in place. So, he’s coming in there every morning and we’re getting everything back on track.”

Blake does want to encourage the city that positive changes are being made, and council is doing all it can to help residents.

“I’m a very transparent person,” Blake said. “Call me up, ask me a question; if I don’t know the answer, I’ll make sure you know it. I’ll find it out for you anyway I can.”