By Heather Clower
The Parsons Advocate
On Wednesday morning, the Tucker County Commission came to order along with guests and audience. Father Tim Grassi opened the session with a prayer followed by The Pledge of Allegiance. Commission President Diane Hinkle opened the meeting with the reading and approval of the former minutes.
County Clerk Sherry Simmons gave the elected officials report which was first on the agenda. The clerk office has been working diligently preparing for the workers’ compensation audit that is fast approaching as well as beginning Election Day preparation. “Every ballot will be reviewed and all write-ins will be counted”, stated Simmons, “all eyes will be on the ballot”. There will be ten people on five teams counting and reviewing, so the machine will not miss any ballots containing write-ins. They have been ordering electionsupplies and doing maintenance on the equipment. It was noted sometime in the near future a plan needs to be devised to update the equipment, which is now sixteen years old. August 14 begins the time frame for applications for absentee ballots, and closes on October 14. Simmons also shared that the Historical Society has pictures they have blown up and framed of the historical court house they are planning to hang up next week.
Dustin Luzier, Daily Report Center Director, took the floor first and informed the commissioners that the updates to the telehealth room is complete and a psychologist from Morgantown is coming to interview clients and soon they will be able to do so via telecommunication. There have been renovations to the Daily Report Centers in Davis and in Parsons. Air conditioning units are currently being installed. Luzier is hoping for grants and funds to help update the exterior of the building to keep up with the historical value of the venue. Last week the community corrections received their grant from Governor Justice. They were thrilled to receive ten thousand more than requested, which is always beneficial. “We expected to get cut like every other county”, said Luzier, but Commissioner Lowell Moore added, “Your good work is paying off”, directed to Luzier and staff. The community corrections served eighty eight clients and provided nearly two thousand, three hundred community service hours within Tucker County. These community service hours saved the county over sixteen thousand dollars, and when viewing the financial statement provided by community corrections, Commissioner Hinkle said “I think these numbers on here speak for themselves”.
Next on the floor was Joe Long, the Maintenance Director. He said his crew is working on updating the sprinkler system and that the stair lift installation is complete. Long mentioned they are working on getting natural gas put into the animal shelter as well. “This way if the power goes out we can at least have heat without a generator”, said Long. “That will save a lot on utilities”, stated Commissioner Moore. He also mentioned the renovations that Luzier reported on, in which Commissioner Hinkle noted, “Nice job on what you’ve done at the community corrections center”.
County Administrator Joel Goughnour commented briefly on the EMS fee. Currently what has been received is at forty percent of expected paid fees and there is still three weeks till September 1. At this date, the fee is deemed late and additional fees will be applied.
Kevin White, OEM Director, took the floor to speak about recent happenings. The flash flooding that occurred in Clover in July they are hoping to get cleaned up soon with the HRDF program. “I think a lot is due to debris from Hurricane Sandy that never got cleaned up”, stated White. White met with Mr. Sypolt who is working to get the Army Corps of Engineers in to survey and hoping to point out some areas of concern. “Unfortunately for people with private property there’s not a lot of assistance”, White added. A meeting was held with the Federal Forest Service regarding the Blackwater Canyon Trail and communication is getting better. “I’ve noticed a huge uptake in outdoor recreation”, he said. “I don’t think there’s less activity on the mountain, there’s just becoming more all over the county”.
White shifted gears to another project they are working on with the National Weather Service to get more accurate weather reports and predictions in the Parsons area. “They are wanting to build better models so they can predict these storms a little better”, White said. They are hoping to work with the 911 center to get some of these weather stations installed. The local emergency planning committee (LEPC) is alive and well again he was happy to report. There are younger members and new faces happy to help out, which is a very important component for OEM. He also reported in lieu of recent flooding and weather patterns, the OEM and local fire department had plans in place in the case they had to evacuate the five rivers camp ground during Pickin’ in Parsons. White stated they have also filed all of their state reports regarding to the flooding in June, and Commissioner Moore updated White on the WV Department of Highways schedule for repairs in the county.
County Planner Dennis Filler was unable to attend, so he prepared a statement that was read by Commissioner Darlington. Some of the projects they have been working on include: preparing materials for public education regarding the subdivision ordinance, broadband expansion opportunities, preparing for Fall meetings with FEMA regarding submission for diversion wall repairs, updating and maintaining the public calendar, investigating town limit flood damage, and issuing 15 out of flood plain development permits and 1 in flood plain permit. “We really appreciate all the hard work Dennis has done”, Commissioner Hinkle said, “His position has been a huge asset to the county”.
There were no correspondences on the agenda, but there was one resignation and one submission for intent. Joe Dumire submitted his resignation letter as the president of the Historical Landmark Commission and withdrew his intent to serve on the Cultural District Authority, although he hopes to remain active. “It is with regret that I move to accept his resignation”, motioned Commissioner Hinkle. The vote was unanimous. Commissioners also received a letter of intent from Kevin White with interest of serving on the Tucker County 911 advisory board. This was also a unanimously accepted vote.
Commissioner Moore has several upcoming meetings, but nothing to report on. Commissioner Darlington attended a meeting with the Corridor H Authority. They are in need of funding to keep the authority active and working towards the completion of the project. The Corridor H Authority is requesting each county involved, including Tucker, provide five thousand dollars to continue with this group. “That’s a small price to pay to finish this project”, Commissioner Hinkle said. The motion was made to pay the requested amount and unanimously agreed upon.
Commissioner Hinkle attended the Hinchcliff fifty year anniversary celebration. She extended her congratulations to everyone involved with the company, past and present. Commissioner Hinkle attended the state meeting for all county commissioners in Bridgeport recently, and noted the error on the new sign in Hendricks, which will be replaced. She proudly reported there has been a 7.89% business growth within the county and also made mention of the grant that is still open for application through the Tucker County Cultural District Authority. Commissioner Hinkle commented about the new, Governors endorsed websites to monitor road conditions and work progressions. Those sites are www.driveforwardwv.com and www.transportation.wv.gov/wvroads. There was also an error discovered in the Inter Mountain regarding the 1.5% fee being removed due to legality. “There is nothing illegal about it”, stated Commissioner Hinkle, the fee was removed for ease of accounting, however late fee penalties will be assessed.
There was no need for a commissioner work session at this meeting, and the meeting was adjourned. The next commission meeting will be held in two weeks on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 4 p.m. The meeting will take place in the traditional courthouse court room.