Pingley Aims to Help Elkins Grow
By ANTHONY GAYNOR, Staff WriterArticle Photos
Fact Box
"I help the departments work within their budget. Council sets the budgets and I make sure the money is spent wisely."
Bob Pingley
Elkins Operations Manager
Elkins Operations Manager Bob Pingley pulled out his daily planner to check his schedule. Next week alone, he has six meetings and that's in addition to his daily duties. The Elkins native has been on the job a little more than two months working toward his goal of helping the city grow and progress.
"Council hired me to oversee the operations of basically everything except the Parks and Recreation Commission, Fire Department and Police Department," Pingley said. "I help to handle day-to-day issues and coordinate with Council to ensure we are going in the direction they want."
Numerous project under his hand that will lead the city into the future include the new water treatment plant and distribution system, replacing lift station No. 11 and a main sewer line on Baron Avenue.
Pingley said he is looking forward to beginning a combined sewer overflow (CSO) project in the downtown area. Although he hopes the project will start this summer and continue into the fall, it will most likely have to wait until next March.
The Davis Avenue CSO project will separate storm water drains and the sewer system to help prevent sewer overflow from going directly into the rive in times of heavy rain and snow melt.
"It is going to be a great asset for the city," Pingley said.
Pingley and city are facing challenges, though. Replacing aging infrastructure and constructing a $26 million water treatment plant and distribution system won't happen overnight.
"Between the Davis Avenue project, the water plant and the distribution system, the city will be in a state of construction for several years," Pingley said. "We are doing all we can to let the residents know about the projects so they can prepare."
A list of streets that will be affected by the water distribution upgrade is available on the city's Web site, www.cityofelkinswv.com.
"We have a good proactive council," Pingley said. "They are willing to work with the day-to-day operations."
Pingley also assists the department heads with their budgets to ensure the money is being spent correctly.
"I help the departments work within their budget," Pingley said. "Council sets the budgets and I make sure the money is spent wisely."
If one of the departments need something that has not been budgeted, Pingley will work with the supervisor to see if they can find the money within their budget and if not he will report to Mayor Judy Guye and work with council to ensure needs are met.
"If something is needed, I will work with the supervisor to ensure it is needed," Pingley said. "We are in the process of getting a new bed for a garbage truck that was not in the budget. We took it to council and it was approved."
Pingley helped coordinate scheduling with multiple departments for the July 4 weekend. The city is closed on July 4 and the garbage routes for that day will be rescheduled for July 3. Pingley said there is not enough man power in the Sanitation Department so employees from the Water Department and Streets Department will assist with trash pick up.
"It surprised me to how much is going on in the city," Pingley said. "There is more to it than meets the eye."
Elkins residents who need anything dealing with garbage, water or sewage may contact Pingley at City Hall.
"I will make sure it is taken care of," Pingley said. "I have dealt with a fair amount of issues and a lot of that goes to the mayor and she refers them to me."
Pingley's office is located on the third floor of Elkins City Hall and his office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pingley said that if someone needs to meet with him they should call to set up an appointment because there are times he is out of the office.
Pingley grew up in Elkins and is a graduate of Elkins High School. He received a degree in engineering from West Virginia Technical College and spent the majority of his career working in project management for construction companies.
"I have a strong management background and I think that is what City Council was looking for," Pingley said.
