Several Weirton council members said that the Joseph B. Fay Co. - not city taxpayers - should foot the bill for fire protection during implosion of the Fort Steuben Bridge next week.

After hearing council's objections, City Manager Valerie Means said she will contact representatives of the Russellton, Pa., company and it they don't agree to reimburse the city for the cost of the fire department's presence, "then we're not going to be on site." The more than 80-year-old span is set for demolition early Feb. 21.

Councilman George Ash raised the issue during council's meeting, saying residents should not be responsible for paying the additional costs in fuel and overtime for firefighters that will be incurred during the implosion. Councilman Terry Weigel agreed, recalling that when Paramount Pictures came to town during the fall of 2010 to film the blockbuster "Super 8" in Weirton, causing city police officers and firefighters to log significant overtime, the production company picked up the entire tab.

While West Virginia is responsible for the Ohio River, Councilman George Gaughenbaugh said the city of Steubenville should be responsible for providing fire protection because the Ohio Department of Transportation owns the bridge and all demolition permits went through Steubenville, not Weirton.

The Fort Steuben Bridge has been closed to traffic since early 2009 due to structural concerns, and the span's use declined significantly after the U.S. 22 Veterans Memorial Bridge opened nearby in 1990. ODOT's contract with the Joseph B. Fay Co. calls for the contractor to earn about $2.3 million as well as all scrap metal from the bridge.