Calhoun Commissioner says “Our Money has Picked up Quickly”

The regular meeting of the Calhoun County Commission on October 10th opened with it’s standard welcome and pledge, and then without adieu the delegations began. Jackie Boatright advised the Commission that “Asking a question is not bullying or attacking. It is so bad in this town because everyone is getting attacked when they ask a question. When I coached ball, I didn’t get mad when people asked a question. I think that the County should take pride and make everyone accountable. It’s not that I’m attacking someone if I ask how much money someone makes that has to do with the county. The should answer unless they’ve got something to hide.”

Roger Propst, Chairman of the Republican Executive Committee was the second to speak under delegations. Mr. Propst wanted to know if item VI under Old Business on the agenda, being the Replacement of Matthew Walker, was an action item. Meaning did they plan to appoint a Commissioner that day? Commissioner Arthur responded that it was “just old business.”

Propst noted that there had been some confusion over the beginning and ending days that the Commission had to appoint a replacement asking, “Is it the position of the Commission that the 30 days has past?” To which Commissioner Helmick responded, “I think it’s already past.” Roger Propst agreed that it had past on the 5th of October and further advised that the Republican Executive Committee would meet on Thursday, October 12th at 6:30 p.m. at the Grantsville VFD for the purpose of voting on the three names to be submitted and would be provided to the Commissioners on Friday. The Commissioners will then have 15 days to choose the next Commissioner from the list provided.

Pauline Ferrell requested an update on the new Animal Shelter that is to be located on Mt. Zion. Commissioner Helmick stated that the Commission needed to get a Board started and then determine what the next step would be. Ridgeview News asked if they’d advertised for Board members, and was told by Helmick that he had spoken to a few people who did not want to serve on the board. Anyone who would like to be a part of the Animal Shelter board should contact the Calhoun County Commissioners. This item will be added to the November agenda to be addressed.

Kelly Barr, e911 Director reported the activity of all Emergency Services and informed the Commissioners that the e911 Station would be going digital. While the current analog system that e911 has been broadcasting through represents data using a continuous signal, digital systems represent data using discrete values. Digital systems are generally more immune to noise and more accurate than analog systems, but they also require more bandwidth and are more complex. Those in the community who have used analog scanners to hear the traffic of police, fire and ambulance will now need to purchase a digital scanner those usually cost significantly more than analog, likely in the $200-300 range. This also comes at a great cost for the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department with the estimated cost of replacing their radios at $30,000.

Jason Wilson, Minnie Hamilton Ambulance Director demonstrated the new AED’s (Automated External Defibrillator) that will be placed at local parks. The portable unit can travel to the fields or where needed for events and are used to revive someone from sudden cardiac arrest. Wilson said that the company from which the units were purchased also provided “Stop the Bleed” kits to be placed inside the cabinets. Pediatric units will also be added but are currently back ordered, and a training class will be provided on the AED’s at a later date.

Mr. Wilson announced that Minnie Hamilton will be offering a First Aid and CPR Class the last of October and in November.

A total of 63 911 calls were reported by the Minnie Hamilton Ambulance Service: ALS transports (16), BLS transports (19), Canceled in route (4), DOA (3), Refusal (15), Treated and transferred to Aeromedical (2), Treat and Refused (4). The monthly total of mileage put on ambulances for the month of September was 6,952 miles on five ambulances collectively.

Commissioner Arthur reported for the Calhoun FRN Director, Tina Persinger, that the FRN will conduct sign-ups for their Christmas toy give aways until October 31st by stopping in their office on Main Street. Donations would be appreciated for the annual Christmas project.

Sheriff Graham Knight provided the Commission with his Home Confinement report, telling them that he currently has 12 people serving home confinement through his department. It is estimated that by the first of the year he’ll have upwards to 24 serving of which all but one are paid by the defendants. Last months collection of fees was $2,300.

Sheriff Knight also informed the Commission that on September 19th he had carried out a Destruction Order of Evidence that dated back to 1989. To protect the integrity much of the evidence was burnt, sharps were disposed of appropriately and all other items were smashed. Firearms will be turned over the WV State Treasurer’s Office to be sold, 90% of what’s brought from those sales will go into the County’s General fund.

In a self described “big ask”, Sheriff Knight requested a budget revision for the purpose of hiring a Chief Deputy and two other full time Deputies at an estimated cost of $96,200 annually, but with 3 months already into the year the amount approved will be less. A separate request was made for the funding to hire Charles Stephens for 90 days to fill in where needed in his department, 1 to 5 days per week as necessary. Knight told the Commissioners that he had recently worked 3 days without sleep and an average work week of hours is 117.

Jason Wilson of Minnie Hamilton Health Systems, commended Sheriff Knight to the Commission for the long hours recently put in on a Mental Hygiene and his protection of Hospital staff when called.

Both Commissioner Helmick and Arthur responded positively. Arthur said that it was “Much needed,” and Helmick told Knight that “Our money has picked up quickly. The budget transfer will be approve when requested.”

County Clerk, Jean Simers, requested the approval of the Security for Electronic Voting Equipment Policy that needed to be completed by January 1 for State compliance. Motion passed by both Commissioners.

A Revision to the Calhoun County Comprehensive Plan was put before the Commission for approval. Changes were made to sections covering Emergency Housing, County Organizations and Non Profits, the Vison Statement , Water and Wastewater, Government and Schools. The matter was approved by the Commission and a copy is available in the County Clerk’s office for public viewing.

Lions Club representative, Emily Robinson, made a request for $18,973 for foundation repairs to the building owned by the Grantsville Lions Club. Following some discussion the matter was tabled until a third Commissioner is appointed due to the fact that Commissioner Helmick is a member of the Lions Club.

A funding request was made and approved for a $500 donation for the Upper West Fork and Arnoldsburg Park Halloween parties.

WVU Extension Service requested office support, but was tabled until the annual agreement was received from local agent Jamie Mullins.

Alice Holmes of the Grantsville Conservatory of Music updated the Commission on her request to repair the roof of her building. She informed the Commission that a recent estimate received to repair, rather than replace, the roof would be $2,000. The Commission approved the request.

Mt. Zion PSD’s request for funding assistance in the amount of $403,305 was tabled until grant funding could be sought.

Ridgeview News Publisher, Shari Johnson, requested that the Commission consider putting a sound system in the court room due to the inability to hear the soft spoken Commissioners. Commissioner Arthur said that they would look into it.

Anita West provided financials of the Upper West Fork Park which will be available in the minutes of the Commissioner Meeting.

Luke Peters of the Mid Ohio Valley Regional Council spoke regarding the current action on the Upper West Fork Park with regard to FEMA and flood concerns. A Hazard Litigation meeting was held to let the park know their options. The option of elevating the current buildings would still put the area in isolation and possibly place the community at high risk if the Fire Department cannot respond due to flooding. There is specific FEMA funding that is available to Fire Departments only and could possibly be sought to relocate the Fire Department and leaving the park in its current location. The decision was turned over to the Park board and the community to determine the next steps they’d take.

Peters reported on the Pleasant Hill PSD that following their engineer interviews, the PSD had hired Boyles Hildreth Engineering Firm to move the project forward on the Annamoriah project. There were some concerns over the Norman Ridge Project being delayed due to lack of signatures requesting service, but it appears that the signatures required were met with at least 40 having signed up to receive service.

More questions were raised about the accountability of people seeking funding from the Calhoun County Commission. Anita West said that she would soon supply a list of items purchased with the $17,000 recently received by the park from the Commission. Crystal Mersh ask if the Commission had received or requested financials from the Livestock Committee? She also said “There seems to be a snowballing effect of requests that she doubted had been lined up with the County budget. Commissioner Arthur said that was why the big expenses were tabled.

Mrs. Mersh recommended that the county get a policy in place for who was eligible and the requirements for requesting funding from the County.

A proclamation was signed in honor of Breast Cancer awareness month. In honor of survivors, victims and families a quilt made by Martha Harris in tribute to atty Cain’s mother hangs in the hallway of the Courthouse.