Calhoun County Commissioners, President Eric Lupardus, Craig Arthur and Lee Rush held their regular scheduled meeting on Monday, April 13th at 1:30 p.m.
Thomas Smith of Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s Office attended and addressed the Commission regarding Capito staff changes and redistricting; offering assistance on the federal level. Commissioner Lupardus encouraged him to return with Senator Capito to come and ‘walk around some of the 70 million dollars in projects in Calhoun County that are underway. Mr. Smith told Lupardus that he “would love to come and get a crash course about Calhoun.
Under unfinished Business the Commission considered the purchasing of the Mid Ohio Valley Health Department and Calhoun Family Court Building across the street from the Calhoun County Courthouse. The County currently pays $2,000 month rent for the Family Court space (which is reimbursed by the WV Supreme Court) and $1,600 for the Health Department. Red Bud Realty currently owns the building and has it on the market for $225,000. The County purchase would break even in five years and then begin to make profit if they were to purchase the property. All three Commissioners voted to move forward on the purchase, subject to the appraisal proving value. A motion was made by Craig Arthur, a second by Eric Lupardus and the motion carried.
The bidding was closed just before the meeting for four County Demolition projects made possible by a FEMA grant. Bids were submitted by
- Laughlin Oil Field Services who bid on project B, the demolition of 3 structures with no asbestos at $100,000.
- Ace Everything LLC bid on 4 structures for a total of $56,200.
- A – 13,750 one structure with asbestos
- B – 42450, no asbestos in 3 structures
- Reclaim Company LLC bid the following
- Project A – $16, f790 structure with asbestos
- Project B – $69,759 3 structures without asbestos
- Empire Salvage and Recycling bid:
- Project A – $30,000 with asbestos, 1 structure
- Project B – $134,000, 3 structures with no asbestos
- Metz Excavating Services bid:
- Project A – $20,000 1 structure with Asbestos
- Project B – $80,000 3 with no asbestos
A motion was made by Commissioner Craig Arthur to accept the Lowest bid of Ace Everything, LLC, a company located in Spencer, WV. A second was made by Commissioner Lee Rush, with all three voting in favor of accepting their bid.
Commissioner Lupardus advised the attending contractors that there would be some voluntary demos in the future that will be available for bid.
A new policy was put into place adopting a public notice policy of meeting notices being made three days prior to a meeting at the Courthouse entrance, social media and website, Special meetings will have no less than a two day notice made in the same manner. Minutes from meetings will be published online the next month after approval and projects over $15,000 will be published for two weeks in local news. A motion was made by Commissioner Lee Rush, a second by Commissioner Craig Arthur with all three voting in favor.
The Commission considered and adopted Fire Protection Fund guidelines that had been prepared by County Administrator Jennifer Randolph. Guidance would help to insure that all funds are distributed properly, according to the agencies and funding sources. Motion by Commissioner Lee Rush, second by Commissioner Craig Arthur. Motion passed by all.
A motion to consider a Pleasant Hill Public Service District funding request was continued until a future meeting due to more information needed by Commissioners to rule on the decision.
Calhoun County Schools requested a support letter for DLT application that would assist with distance learning and telemedicine. Commissioner Craig Arthur made a motion to have the support letter written, second by Commissioner Rush, the motion was carried.
All three Commissioners considered and agreed on the purchase of an AI Chatbot for the Calhoun County Website. The AI Chatbot will be an icon that when selected and interacted with will direct searches for information on taxes, minutes, meetings, will and other publicly available information in Courthouse offices. A set up fee of $750 will be paid as well as a monthly charge of $150.
Following the recent Operator resignations of the Mt. Zion PSD, the Calhoun County Commission is seeking solutions to the continual staffing problems. Resignations were also received for Jessica Metz Richards and Robin Hughes, leaving only on Board member, Ari White on the Mt. Zion PSD Board. The subject will be addressed on April 27th at 4p.m. Prior to the next regular commission meeting. The Commission encourages Mt. Zion PSDs customers to attend and voice their concerns and recommendations. Commissioner Lupardus stated that “Mt. Zion is dealing with illnesses and resignations.” He considered the resignation of operators Trenton Cunning ham and Louis Francis a great loss because they were well liked and appreciated by the community.
Commissioner Lupardus also noted that while they support the PSD’s they’re primary concern is the safety and care of the PSD Customers. He believed that much of the issues continues to be because of the Town of Grantsville’s refusal to hire the more than qualified manager that all three entities agreed upon hiring. The County’s attorneys are pursuing breach of contract and Lupardus said “I am not for American Water taking over and will active oppose that, but the psd’s have got to provide water that is safe and suitable. I have lost trust Town of Grantsville.” The future extension projects will hopefully connect to Gilmer County, Clay County and Roane County water lines, removing the dependence of Calhoun’s systems on Grantsville.
The extension projects are designed to connect to gilmer, clay and roane for other options to provision of water. “This is a bold statement but we are ready to make sure the safety of this community is first,” Lupardus said. “We’re investing millions of dollars into the water projects, its time to live in the reality that these water systems can do better. Connecting to neighboring counties is a smart move due to safety.”
The recently purchased O&M building located in the industrial park will also be an issue with the three water entities pulling out of the O&M agreement. No further updates will be done until the consolidation issue is resolved.
Commissioner Rush was in agreement with Commissioner Lupardus’ statements, as well as Commissioner Arthur, stating that his sole intent was to keep control local and have cost savings for the future with the consolidation. A lot of time has been spent and now unraveled.
Local resident Larry Whited ask if grant money time limits have expired with regards to the water line extensions. Commissioner Lupardus responded that the Norman Ridge project is being put out to bid soon for 70 customers to have water service with one customer holding up the progess. County attorneys are working to take care of the easement regardless.
Lupardus stated that the same engineering firm has the Annamoriah Water project held up creating doubts that the project is where it should be. Legal action is also being sought over the issue.
Ridgeview News asked the Commissioners if they were still attempting to get the return of unspent ARPA funds by the Town of Grantsville with the breach of contract issue. President Lupardus said that their Attorney’s are working to negotiate the return of $105,000 cash, a truck purchased with ARPA funds and an Excavator purchased by the Commission as well as a trailer that would be mandated back to the PSD’s.
Commissioner Rush provided an update on the Calhoun County Park, advising that the park as a balance of $15,947 in their account as they work diligently on multiple park improvements.
- Erin Springston and other board members continued cleaning trails in preparation of the Appalachian Classic Bike race, Electrical work is being done in the Tractor building, the park intends to replace the grass on the ball field and road work will soon be underway for the Overlander’s camping area. The mural board has been been along South Calhoun Highway at the entrance of Riffle Run which will be completed by Artist David Gerlach. Erin Springston will be doing the landscaping around the mural board.
- The Melissa Oshoway Easter egg hunt was successful as well as the Youth fishing Day and the appliances have been ordered for the kitchen. Erin Springston will now take over the Calhoun County Park reservations of camping and cabin. The park surpassed their $3,800 goal for the purchase of tables and chairs and raised $4,500. The next park board meeting will be May 7th at 6 p.m. and the public is encouraged to attend and get involved!
- The Next Upper West Fork Park meeting is May 12th at. 6 p.m.
Litter Control Officer Matthew Hall provided an update on his County clean up efforts. Total tire collection county of 232.
Litter Bag count – 182 bags and 15 dump sites cleaned
Commissioner Lupardus said that the County appreciates the efforts of Matt and encourage the community to help by reporting illegal dump sites. Call 304-354-0618 extension 9 to report illegal dump sites, but as far as legal question, Mr. Hall cannot provide those answers. He is working with the DNR to handle the legal process. If community members would like to help with the highway litter clean up, supplies are available from Matt Hall as well as the Cabot Recycling Center. Mr. Hall will pick up the bags provided.
1.7 Million in Grant Applications by County Administrator, Jennifer Randolph
| Calhoun County Grants Listing | ||||
| Date/ Grant | Description | Amount Requested | Amount Approved | Status |
| 9/23/2025 CFIA | Elevator | 100,000 | Denied | |
| 4/14/2025 CPF | 1 Ambulance | 445,000 | Not funded | |
| 4/24/2025 Court Security | Various xray | 61,700 | 56,790 | Approved |
| 5/13/2025 Litter Control | Officer p/t | 5,000 | 4,000 | Approved |
| 6/26/2025 REAP | Recycling Center | 101,500 | 80,174 | Approved |
| 4/13/2025 CPF | 2 cruisers | 140,000 | 140,000 | Approved |
| 8/13/2025 EECG | Lighting | 37,000 | 20,000 | Approved |
| 3/10/2026 America250 | Mural | 5,000 | 5,000 | Approved |
| 5/22/2025 EMPG | 1/2 Salary & Utilities OES | 22,079 | Applied | |
| 8/5/2025 DHS | Sheriff equipment | 78,982 | Applied | |
| 11/11/2025 Accelerate W | Infrastructure/Resilience | 30,000 | Applied | |
| 1/15/2026 RMPG | Sheriff Doc Shredding | 18,426 | Applied | |
| 3/10/2026 PACF | AED’s for Grantsville VFD | 13,000 | Applied | |
| 3/16/2026 WVDHS | Generators for parks | 80,000 | Applied | |
| 3/25/2026 CDS | Crime Agst. Children Task Force | 550,000 | Applied | |
| 3/26/2026 EMPG | 1/2 Salary OES | 20,504 | Applied | |
| Total Written | 16 | |||
| Total Approved | 6 | |||
| 1,708,281 | APPLIED | |||
| $305,964 | APPROVED |
