PARSONS – Hamrick Public Service District representative Mike Helmick thanked the Tucker County Commission for sponsoring Hamrick PSD and their district for a $250,000 Small Cities Block Grant during the Commission’s Wednesday meeting.
Mike Helmick of the Hamrick Public Service District said a Small Cities Block Grant was awarded to the Tucker County Commission for $250,000 to upgrade the Hamrick PSD treatment plant. The $5.7 million project will improve the existing distribution system and provide water service along Location Road. It provides for the refurbishment and replacement of existing water lines, tanks, valves, hydrants and telemetry to ensure the longevity of the existing treatment plant.
“With engineering and design, Location Road is 100 percent designed today,” Helmick said. “The water treatment plant is about 90 percent designed. With the seed money the Commission contributed to Hamrick PSD, Thrasher Engineering buckled down and went full force. “
Helmick said the group decided to go forth with their project as if they were going to receive the money.
“Thankfully, we did receive those grants and today, we are all but 100 percent designed,” Helmick said. “Out of the 51 or 52 customers, we do have 41 signed user agreements. We did meet our 80 percent required.”
Helmick said the next step would be to finish designing the water treatment plant so it is shovel-ready.
“We do need to pursue the W.Va. IJDC for their commitment letter on their $1 million grant and the $3.75 million loan,” Helmick said. “We will pursue those. The total cost of our project today is $6.25 million.”
The next step, according to Helmick, is working on right-of-ways.
“We will get with our attorney to set those up,” Helmick said. “And we need permits from W.Va. DOH and the Department of Health. “
If all goes well, Helmick said they will go to the W.Va. PSD for approval for their project.
“Once we get that, we will be able to go to bid on the project. It is full-force and we are getting it.”
Commission President Lowell Moore asked Helmick the time frame to getting all of their permits.
“Everything has a timeline. We are hoping we can go to bid by early 2016.”
“We thank you all for your hard work,” Moore said to Helmick.
Helmick said the seed money from the Tucker County Commission was the kicker. “I think that let the Governor know the county was willing to put money into the project and there was a big need for water in the county. We are thankful we were chosen for the grant.”
Barbara Kincaid, social worker with the St. George Medical Clinic and Central W.Va. Center for Pregnancy Care, addressed Commissioners about the need for assistance for pregnant mothers in the area.
“Women who come through our center and find themselves pregnant…some of them do not have the opportunities to have a baby bed, a car seat, or a pack and play – the necessities they need,” Kincaid said. “They cannot come home from a hospital unless they have a car seat.”
The need is very great according to Kincaid. “Some have husbands that have lost their jobs, and they do not have the means to provide themselves with this equipment. And with insurance liabilities, we are not able to check out used furniture to these mothers.”
Kincaid said her group is sponsored by total donations. “We serve about 200 women a year who need baby beds and car seats. I think it is important to give these babies what they need.”
Moore asked Kincaid to get with Tucker County Clerk Sherry Simmons to get a request form for donations.
Commission members voted unanimously to appoint three individuals to the Tucker County Development Authority – Wayne Smith, Solena Roberts and Bruce Kolsun.
Commission members also voted unanimously to appoint Matt Poling and Father Timothy J. Grassi to the Tucker Community Corrections Board. Commissioner Diane Hinkle made a motion to appoint Mike Rosenau to the Tucker Community Corrections Board, but Commissioners Moore and Patrick Darlington voted against Rosenau’s appointment.
“I put Mike’s name forward because he has served on this board since it was started. He was also instrumental in Tucker County being able to be independent. That was a big process. It was a grant program that Dustin (Luzier) had to work through and Mike was instrumental in that,” Hinkle said. “I think he has served the board well.”
“I concur with that,” Moore said. “He has been very instrumental in working with that board. This is what I want to say. At the present time, I don’t think it the best benefit of the County Commission, the local boards or the public to put an outgoing official on one of these at the present time. That’s my comment.”
“I agree with Lowell,” Darlington said. “I just don’t think it’s something that’s a good move for the county at this time. I don’t think it will benefit the board whole heartily to put Mike in that position. I just don’t think it has the board’s best interest.”
Rosenau, who was in the audience at the meeting, asked to speak.
“Here’s the question that I have,” Rosenau said. “Do I have any family members on that board? I mean employed in Community Corrections? Do I have anything that would show any interest in my job capabilities that would make me feel …I am nervous right now because Lowell, I can’t imagine this.”
Rosenau said he would get back to the point.
“Do you see any conflict of interest in me serving on the Tucker County…on this board, other than an outgoing official?” Rosenau asked.
“I just don’t think it’s in our best interest Mike,” Moore said.
“Do you think there are any conflicts?” Rosenau asked.
“I just don’t think it’s in our best interest and I want to leave it at that,” Moore said.
In other business, Commissioners took the following actions:
-Voted to table the NACO prescription discount card.
-Voted to allow the Parsons VFD to use the parking lot May 2 to 11 for Homecoming.
-Voted to approve the payments.
The next Tucker County Commission meeting is slated for 4 p.m. Feb. 25.