Latest news with #EmilyMuzzarelli
Dominion Post
6 days ago
- Business
- Dominion Post
City looking at Chestnut, Spruce for 'streetscape' improvements
MORGANTOWN — High Street received a streetscape makeover in 2013. Pleasant Street got spruced up in 2023. Walnut Street – at least a block of it – will, presumably, have a new look to show off at some point this year. So, what's next? Based on the Department of Transportation TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) Grant applications approved this week by Morgantown City Council, likely Chestnut Street, then Spruce. In October, the city learned it was the recipient of a $180,000 TAP Grant to design pedestrian improvements for Chestnut Street. Now, the city is going back to the well, seeking $1.55 million to construct at least a portion of the project. If awarded, the city would be required to provide a 20% match, totalling $310,000. The street runs roughly 2,100 feet between Foundry and Willey streets. It's one of five streets that make up the one-way grid in the city's downtown. While the city concedes the work will likely need to be approached in phases, the ultimate goal is to address the entirety of Chestnut Street with new sidewalks/ADA infrastructure, lighting and appropriate landscaping. According to information provided in council's latest agenda packet, 'The project will also consider the addition of adding road markings or sharrows on Chestnut Street, which will enable cars and bicycles to share the street.' Moving up a couple blocks, the city is once again seeking assistance kicking off a revisioning of Spruce Street — this time in the form of a $450,000 TAP Grant. The city notes, 'The design concept will include all new sidewalks, improvement for ADA infrastructure, new lighting, and appropriate landscaping as well. The city will conduct research on an optimal streetscape plan for the possibility of converting one of the lanes for strict bicycle usage.' Like all TAP Grants, the city would be on the hook for a 20% local match, totaling $90,000, if awarded. Assistant City Manager Emily Muzzarelli previously said that once streetscape enhancements on Pleasant, Walnut and Chestnut streets were complete, it would likely be time to circle back to High Street once again. Lastly, the city is continuing to push for pedestrian enhancements serving the Morgantown Municipal Airport, requesting a $380,000 TAP Grant to design the Morgantown Municipal Airport Bike Path and Walking Trail Connector — a five-foot-wide pedestrian and bike path from the Sabraton Baptist Church on Sabraton Avenue to the West Virginia Land Trust walking trails off Hartman Run Road. That, in turn, would make way for a future connection to Hart Field Road. If fully awarded, the grant would require a $76,000 match.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City creating second safe surrender site, cutting taxes for some small businesses
Jun. 6—MORGANTOWN — The city of Morgantown is taking advantage of a recent change in state code to create the city's second safe surrender site. Safe surrender sites are designated locations at which newborns up to 30 days old can be dropped off while maintaining the anonymity of the person surrendering the child. In April 2024, Morgantown opened West Virginia's second Safe Haven Baby Box at the Norwood Fire Station. Earlier this year, the West Virginia Legislature expanded the allowable surrender sites beyond fire departments to include police departments, sheriff's departments and EMS facilities. In response, the city of Morgantown is looking to add the Morgantown Public Safety Building — home of the Morgantown Police Department — as a designated site. Unlike the Norwood setup, which includes dedicated infrastructure known as a "baby box, " built directly into the fire station, a baby dropped at the Public Safety Building will be handed to a police officer. "The police department, who is there 24-7, feel comfortable that they would be able to have policy and procedures to follow state code and be able to accept an infant less than 30 days old and get it to the nearest hospital facility, " Assistant City Manager Emily Muzzarelli said. "It likely would go to the police supervisor ... but it still requires the same anonymity. The person does not have to give their name or any information should they not want to." Morgantown City Council recently passed the first reading of an ordinance creating a new section of code pertaining to the safe surrender sites. Safe surrender guidelines were previously under the city's fire code as fire stations were the only allowable locations under the law as it was passed by the West Virginia Legislature in 2023. In other business, council has passed on first reading amendments to the city's business license and business and occupation tax provisions. During its most recent session, the Legislature passed House Bill 2451, which eliminates the need for municipal business licensure as well as business and occupation tax liability for some businesses. City Attorney Ryan Simonton explained that in order to be eligible for the business license exemption, a business must be a sole proprietorship or independent contractor ; cannot have a permanent physical location within the city ; and must generate annual revenue below $2, 500. In order to be exempt from business and occupation tax liability, a business must generate gross annual revenue below $2, 500. Business and occupation taxes — or B &O taxes — are taxes charged by municipalities on business activity within the city. "If they have $2, 501 in revenue, they do have to pay taxes on that full amount, " he said. If adopted upon second reading on June 17, the changes will take effect at the July 1 start of the new fiscal year.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City creating second safe surrender site, cutting taxes for some small businesses
Jun. 6—MORGANTOWN — The city of Morgantown is taking advantage of a recent change in state code to create the city's second safe surrender site. Safe surrender sites are designated locations at which newborns up to 30 days old can be dropped off while maintaining the anonymity of the person surrendering the child. In April 2024, Morgantown opened West Virginia's second Safe Haven Baby Box at the Norwood Fire Station. Earlier this year, the West Virginia Legislature expanded the allowable surrender sites beyond fire departments to include police departments, sheriff's departments and EMS facilities. In response, the city of Morgantown is looking to add the Morgantown Public Safety Building — home of the Morgantown Police Department — as a designated site. Unlike the Norwood setup, which includes dedicated infrastructure known as a "baby box, " built directly into the fire station, a baby dropped at the Public Safety Building will be handed to a police officer. "The police department, who is there 24-7, feel comfortable that they would be able to have policy and procedures to follow state code and be able to accept an infant less than 30 days old and get it to the nearest hospital facility, " Assistant City Manager Emily Muzzarelli said. "It likely would go to the police supervisor ... but it still requires the same anonymity. The person does not have to give their name or any information should they not want to." Morgantown City Council recently passed the first reading of an ordinance creating a new section of code pertaining to the safe surrender sites. Safe surrender guidelines were previously under the city's fire code as fire stations were the only allowable locations under the law as it was passed by the West Virginia Legislature in 2023. In other business, council has passed on first reading amendments to the city's business license and business and occupation tax provisions. During its most recent session, the Legislature passed House Bill 2451, which eliminates the need for municipal business licensure as well as business and occupation tax liability for some businesses. City Attorney Ryan Simonton explained that in order to be eligible for the business license exemption, a business must be a sole proprietorship or independent contractor ; cannot have a permanent physical location within the city ; and must generate annual revenue below $2, 500. In order to be exempt from business and occupation tax liability, a business must generate gross annual revenue below $2, 500. Business and occupation taxes — or B &O taxes — are taxes charged by municipalities on business activity within the city. "If they have $2, 501 in revenue, they do have to pay taxes on that full amount, " he said. If adopted upon second reading on June 17, the changes will take effect at the July 1 start of the new fiscal year.
Dominion Post
07-06-2025
- Business
- Dominion Post
City creating second safe surrender site, cutting taxes for some small businesses
MORGANTOWN — The city of Morgantown is taking advantage of a recent change in state code to create the city's second safe surrender site. Safe surrender sites are designated locations at which newborns up to 30 days old can be dropped off while maintaining the anonymity of the person surrendering the child. In April 2024, Morgantown opened West Virginia's second Safe Haven Baby Box at the Norwood Fire Station. Earlier this year, the West Virginia Legislature expanded the allowable surrender sites beyond fire departments to include police departments, sheriff's departments and EMS facilities. In response, the city of Morgantown is looking to add the Morgantown Public Safety Building – home of the Morgantown Police Department – as a designated site. Unlike the Norwood setup, which includes dedicated infrastructure known as a 'baby box,' built directly into the fire station, a baby dropped at the Public Safety Building will be handed to a police officer. 'The police department, who is there 24-7, feel comfortable that they would be able to have policy and procedures to follow state code and be able to accept an infant less than 30 days old and get it to the nearest hospital facility,' Assistant City Manager Emily Muzzarelli said. 'It likely would go to the police supervisor … but it still requires the same anonymity. The person does not have to give their name or any information should they not want to.' Morgantown City Council recently passed the first reading of an ordinance creating a new section of code pertaining to the safe surrender sites. Safe surrender guidelines were previously under the city's fire code as fire stations were the only allowable locations under the law as it was passed by the West Virginia Legislature in 2023. In other business, council has passed on first reading amendments to the city's business license and business and occupation tax provisions. During its most recent session, the Legislature passed House Bill 2451, which eliminates the need for municipal business licensure as well as business and occupation tax liability for some businesses. City Attorney Ryan Simonton explained that in order to be eligible for the business license exemption, a business must be a sole proprietorship or independent contractor; cannot have a permanent physical location within the city; and must generate annual revenue below $2,500. In order to be exempt from business and occupation tax liability, a business must generate gross annual revenue below $2,500. Business and occupation taxes – or B&O taxes – are taxes charged by municipalities on business activity within the city. 'If they have $2,501 in revenue, they do have to pay taxes on that full amount,' he said. If adopted upon second reading on June 17, the changes will take effect at the July 1 start of the new fiscal year.
