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FOLLANSBEE - Follansbee City Council on Monday approved the annexation of a subdivision being developed near Highland Hills and hired a contractor to create a new ball field for the city's pony league.

Council approved in a 4-0 vote the annexation of Highland Woods, which consists of 10 homes on DiPino Drive, Sylvan Way and Alta Vista and lots for an additional 24 homes, according to developer Ed DiPino.

The annexation was approved by 1st Ward Councilman James "J.J." Miller, 2nd Ward Councilman Tom DiBattista, 5th Ward Councilman Tom Ludewig and Councilman at large Jim Andreozzi. Third Ward Councilwoman Kathy Santoro and 4th Ward Councilwoman Iris Ferrell didn't attend the meeting.

City Attorney Michael Gaudio noted the annexation must be approved also by the Brooke County Commission.

DiPino said homes in the subdivision have an assessed value of about $200,000 to $500,000, and the annexation would bring additional revenue to the city while providing the residents with additional services.

Residents of the subdivision already receive water and sewer service from the city. City Manager John DeStefano said with the annexation, they also will receive police protection and street sweeping and plowing.

Council also agreed to hire R.E. Schultz Construction Services of Colliers to establish a temporary pony league ball field in an area behind the Rite Aid store at a cost of $15,400.

The business was the sole bidder for the project.

Mayor Tony Paesano said crews with Ewusiak Development have begun clearing trees at the site at no cost to the city.

He noted the move provides a new location for the pony league, whose field was sold by the city to Paull Associates of Wheeling for the development of a new business.

The real estate developer, which purchased a corner of the city's Little League ball field for $600,000 in August, hasn't announced the new business.

The site is part of about 12 acres west of state Route 2 and 6 acres north of Brooke Plaza that were purchased by the city from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. in 2001 with the intention of marketing it for economic development.

City officials hope in the future to build new ball fields at a proposed athletic complex on property above the former Koppers truck terminal and donated to the city by Wheeling-Pitt.

Paesano said Ewusiak Development has agreed to assist in creating a gravel road to the site, while he and others continue to seek funds for the estimated $10 million complex, which has been designed to include indoor and outdoor facilities for other sports.

Council also:

Recognized Follansbee volunteer firefighters Dan Ciccolella and Mike Varlas for rescuing a man from a burning home on Terika Drive on Sept. 8.

City Fire Chief Larry Rea said the man was transported by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital for treatment of severe smoke inhalation following the accidental fire, which was found to have started in the kitchen.

Paesano presented plaques of appreciation to Ciccolella, Varlas and Rea for the fire department.

Approved the first reading of an ordinance calling for the city's water rate to be increased to 50 cents per 1,000 gallons, effective in December, with another increase of 25 cents per 1,000 gallons slated for July.

The city's base rate is $4.26 per 1,000 gallons, with customers who use 4,500 gallons per month paying $17.04.

The increases were recommended by the city's water board to fund upgrades to a lift station on Morton Road and other improvements

Approved the hours of 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 31 for trick-or-treating.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com)