By Heather Clower
The Parsons Advocate
The minutes from the previous meeting were approved as presented with a motion from Davis with all in favor.
Ambulance Authority Director Terry Silk appeared to present the Commissioners with an EMS Financial Report for the month of February. “In February, our total receipts were $35,884, our total expenses were $68,554,” began Silk. “What’s your average cost per month,” asked Commission President Mike Rosenau. Silk responded probably between $68,000 to $70,000 depending on the number of payrolls that month.
The ambulance that was in the accident in January must be replaced which resulted in a request for the CARES Act refund reimbursement that is due to the EMS. “We really need that funding to replace that ambulance,” Silk confirmed. Rosenau asked for an insurance update on that vehicle, though negotiation is still ongoing.
Tracey Kennedy spoke on behalf of WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), a federally funded program designed to provide training for individuals and businesses and to offset costs for training staff and new-hires. Rosenau inquired if there were any companies within Tucker County that WIOA is currently working with. “With the youth program we have done on-the-job training with the Tucker County Animal Shelter, and we have a great relationship with Mountain Laurel Learning Co-op,” she responded. They have also worked with Pro-Poly of America with on-the-job training.
Kennedy is working to spread the word share what programs are available to participate statewide. Additional resources were left with the Commissioners for anyone interested in more information.
Tucker County Sheriff J.E. Kopec presented the Commissioners with a synopsis of activity in February. “My men are now completing daily activity sheets and that accounts for what they do,” he began and includes all areas of the position. The February numbers Sheriff Kopec noted were a little high due to the indictments, leading to 288 felony arrests. There were 19 hazardous moving tickets issued along with eight other tickets, such as an expired inspection. Sheriff Kopec listed the remaining activity that took place throughout February and added that his officers have been participating in active shooter training which puts them ahead of schedule on their continuing education requirements. He does not foresee any issues with operating within the budget for this fiscal year. Rosenau thanked Sheriff Kopec for his report and for his increased patrol noticed throughout the county.
Attorney Pat Nichols was present on behalf of the estate of Thomas Tedrow. “I had made a will a couple of years ago for Ted, and in the will he had left the house here in Parsons to his step-daughter Regina,” explained Nichols. Unfortunately, after the passing of Mr. Tedrow, it is believed the original will accidentally was thrown away. Nichols has a signed copy of the will which Nichols is asking the Commission to probate to be used. Rosenau made the motion to probate the copy of the will with all in favor.
Moving into employee reports, Maintenance Director Joe Long asked Rosenau to provide an update on his behalf. Concrete is being poured in the basement where the old brick walkway once laid.
The security work has been complete according to County Administrator Sheila DeVilder. “The only thing we need to do now gets fully trained on the new system so that we can make sure that everything is programmed correctly,” she said. The jail restoration project is awaiting approval to begin seeking bids to begin that process.
Beverly Cantrell, Director of 911, stated the grant request papers for the security cameras for the 911 center as well as the OEM office were compiled with OEM Director Kevin White and have been submitted for review. The 911 staff is continuing to help with the COVID Vaccination Clinics as needed weekly.
For February, the total 911 calls received were 286 and total administration calls 840, with a total number of calls being 1,126. EMS total calls for service were 95, Company 10 was 22, Company 20 had six, Company 30 was 20, and Company 40 had two.
James Snyder with the Tucker County Health Department spoke about the vaccination clinics, stating they are going wonderfully thanks to everyone working together. “Right now we stand with 55% of the population of the county according to the state of W.Va. has been vaccinated, that’s been the highest of any other state,” said Snyder. It is expected to give over 600 shots at the next clinic. Anybody over the age of 16 is encouraged to register for the vaccine which Snyder says vaccines are making a difference.
White followed up stating several outside entities have called in asking for information on how their clinic has been set up to try to coordinate something similar in their area.
The stream cleanup efforts are coming to an end though the goal is to seek an extension or to be included in the year around cleanup to remove the debris to not cause issues with future flooding.
Bailey Falls is awaiting word from the W.Va. Department of Agriculture on the results of their spay and neuter grant application. A check for $2,000 was received as a grant that will be used as non-emergent canine care costs.
March has already been busy for the Tucker County Animal Shelter with spring bringing the potential for several new litters of kittens. They are working diligently to sterilize these colonies to maintain the numbers. Falls met with the Family Resource Network to discuss distributing excess pet food with plans in the preliminary stages to help residents with their pets. She is communicating with Snyder at the Health Department on how to safely coordinate a rabies vaccination clinic, with more information available soon.
Rosenau explained that several line items under new business consisted of funding requests from different entities that the Commission has assisted in the past and they are sending out annual letters with their requests. Motions could not be made on that day until the requests and the budget is reviewed, therefore a motion was made by Davis to table the requests with all in favor.
The first and final waivers of estates were presented to the Commissioners to close these estates. “Our deepest sympathies go out to the Tucker County Families who have lost loved ones over the past year,” said County Clerk Sherry Simmons. Davis made a motion to approve the waivers with unanimous agreement.
A Covid-19 leave policy was set up in March when the building had to be shut down to the public. This allowed employees to work from home and would continue to get paid. With the cases decreasing as the number of vaccinations increase, a work session was held by the Commissioners to revisit the policy. It states, if signed off on by the Commissioners, employees will get 10 paid Covid days with the documentation from the Health Department that they either have to be quarantined or have tested positive, and they will have to use their personal leave or vacation time after that 10 days, which will be effective throughout the end of the year. Moore moved to enact the new policy with Rosenau and Davis also in favor.
Erroneous assessments were approved as presented followed by the approval of payments.
Davis began by readdressing the need to replace the one ambulance. One of the three units being used daily is going to need to be replaced soon as well, adding to the concern. Even a used ambulance costs around $50,000 and with the insurance company still unsure on their reimbursements, it poses difficulty moving forward.
Moore made a motion to adjourn the meeting with all in agreement. The Tucker County Commission will meet again on Wednesday, March 24, at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Tucker County Courthouse Courtroom.