Methodist church seeks funds for renovations at Fairmont Council [Times West Virginian, Fairmont]

Apr. 24—FAIRMONT — A hundred-year-old church asked Fairmont City Council for help to do more than survive at a city council meeting Tuesday.

The Fairmont Free Methodist Church suffered water damage last May, and despite insurance covering part of the damage, the church still had to pay out of pocket for asbestos removal and other flood-related losses.

"We're post-COVID and a lot of churches are struggling with attendance and finances," Pastor Carl Radcliff said. "We're doing OK, but we still have a lot of remodeling to do. We haven't replaced everything. So we're just looking for other restitutions if we can get it."

The asbestos removal costs $20,000 out of pocket, which is a significant amount to a small church like Fairmont Free Methodist.

Challenges in the form of decreasing attendance and inflation have made it difficult for houses of worship to thrive after the pandemic. Decreasing attendance affects the amount of income a church can bring in through tithing.

Radcliff said he hopes some funds might be available through city council, but even if there aren't, he said he still wants to bring some awareness of the difficulties Fairmont Free Methodist faces to councilmembers. Radcliff said his church ministers to people of all ages and supports the Fairmont Pregnancy Resource Center. On its website, the center says it provides information to women seeking to make a decision about abortion, placing a special emphasis on ultrasounds. It does not recommend or offer abortion or abortion pills. It also offers pregnancy counseling, fatherhood programs and adoption referrals to women who are carrying a fetus to term.

Mayor Anne Bolyard turned Radcliff over to Interim City Manager Janet Keller to see what could be done to help Fairmont Free Methodist.

Council renewed a $750,000 letter of credit, to cover a portion of the requirements for the city to remain self-insured.

"Being self-insured has resulted in savings since I believe even before Bruce was the city manager," City Attorney Kevin Sansalone said, referring to Council Member Bruce McDaniel. McDaniel served as city manager between 1997 and 2008.

Sansalone added the Workers Compensation Fund audits the city every year to assess risk by looking at the claims the city has paid out out on. Based on its audit, the Fund tells the city what the letter of credit needs to be at in order to meet the insurance requirement. The adjustment is made through a supplemental resolution, which fixes the amount below the authorized limit.

Council also authorized its purchasing director have the city's old 2011 Elgin Street Sweeper advertised for sale. The sweeper is no longer in service with the city.

It is also Keller's last council meeting as interim city manager. She put city employees up for special recognition for their help in guiding Keller through her tasks as interim manager.

"We work well together as a team," Keller said. "I'll always be grateful for their assistance and their service they provide to the city. The city is lucky to have the employees that we do have."

Travis Blosser will be city manager for the next council meeting May 15. The meeting takes place one day after the election.

Reach Esteban at efernandez@timeswv.com

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