Thomas Mayor Matt Quattro presented a funding request of $25,000 to the Tucker County Commission to assist in the replacement of the heating system in the Thomas Community Center. Quattro said, “Replacing the heating system is vital. We use this building as an emergency shelter. We looked into repairing the current coal fired system and that would cost $50,000, and who knows how long that will last. The current system was put in around 1937.” Quattro added we can install a new gas furnace, that will allow better zone temperature control for $75,000. “The estimated completion date for the repairs would be February. Quattro said. We can have the new furnace installed, and operational, hopefully by the end of this month.” The city of Thomas, has asked the governor/state for $40,000 and the city will provide $10,000.
The commissioners all agreed that it is vitally important for the county to have that facility available for the emergency shelter.
County Clerk, Sherry Simmons stated that she had spoken with the treasurer’s office in Charleston to see if money for the heating system could come out of the Coal Severance fund that the county gets because we are a coal producing county.
Simmons added that there are special guidelines for using this money. She stated, “. The treasurer’s office said there is a fine line here, but since this project would be for the betterment of the community, we can reallocate money from this fund to cover the cost. This is not taxpayers money.”
In a unanimous vote the Commissioners approved Quattro’s request for $25,000.
The commissioners received a photograph signed by members of the Tucker County FFA and were also treated to a video showing highlights of their trip to the national convention. The commission had previously assisted the FFA in their fundraising efforts for the trip to the National FFA conference in Louisville, KY.
Faculty Adviser Terry Hauser and students Thomas Evans, Lydia Mullennax, Andrew Kisamore, Madison Lambert, Lindsey Knotts, Tyler Hebb, Andrew Hauser, and Lenae Cole all spoke about what they had learned at the conference, such as to listen four times as much as they speak. They all agreed it was an experience they would never forget, and were very appreciative to the county commission for their assistance.
In other business Sharon Bedford, Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center for Randolph and Tucker Counties announced her retirement and introduced Lydia Johnson as the new director.
The commission voted unanimously to make Sherry Cross, a full time Custodian. Commissioners agreed to extend William Dilly’s employment until December 31, 2013.
The commission also voted to advertise for a Temporary Part-time employee at the Animal Shelter.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Tucker County Commission will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2014 at 8 a.m. in the Tucker County Courthouse Courtroom.
