The Calhoun County Commission held their regular evening meeting on August 25th, 2025, at 6 p.m. with all three Commissioners present; President Craig Arthur, Commissioner Jacob McCumbers and Commissioner Eric Lupardus.
Under delegations, Board Member Jason Firestine of the Mt. Zion Public Service District, questioned if there was still funding available for the PSD. Mr. Firestine had been informed that the ARPA funding was to be spent by December 24, 2024. He said it was frustrating to see this pile of money we can’t use. The Commission informed him that it was to be allocated by December 24, 2024 but they had until December of 2026 to spend the money. He further expressed his disappointment in working to get the Mt. Zion Water system operational. When Mr. Firestine had requested funding to get the system’s dump truck operational, the other board members informed him that they had other bills they’d rather pay. Commissioner Lupardus’ recommendation was for the PSD was to repair the dump truck and bring a quote to the Commission for consideration.
Another issue he brought to the Commission was regarding a leak adjustment that he had requested from the Town of Grantsville because the Grantsville Water plant had overflowed the Mt. Zion tanks causing unnecessary water usage. He had not received a response from the Town, other than it was needful for them to speak to the Mayor.
Firestine reported that he had assisted the Mt. Zion PSD staff in testing the flow of approximately 75 system hydrants, having to literally dig some hydrants out. Only five were out of service which they are working to repair. They still have to test the hydrants from Miller’s Kwik Stop to Grantsville
In closing Firestine told the Commission that Mt. Zion PSD was losing about 1/2 million gallons of water from a leak and that it was frustrating to be paying for this and being refused to buy the parts to repair it. “If Hope Water says tomorrow they’re taking it over, we’re still hanging on by a thread until the troops come in to save us,” he said.
Under Unfinished business the Commissioners appointed three citizens to the Livestock Claim Review Committee. There is currently a local farm needing a claim reviewed. Those appointed for the Committee were Hannah Fox, Tony Arthur and Teresa McGuire. Commissioner Arthur recused himself and left the room until the remaining two Commissioners voted. The motion was made by Commissioner McCumbers, seconded by Commissioner Lupardus and passed. The cost of the animal to be replaced, so long as the attacking animal was not owned or known is paid for by the dog taxes paid in the county.
President Arthur opened the telephone system and service bids to be considered for the replacement of the Courthouse phone system. There was only one bid for the installation of the system which was The Advanced Communications Company in the amount of $24,596.00
A motion was made by Commissioner Lupardus with a second from President Arthur, the motion carried.
As for the monthly telephone service three bids were received.
- Frontier Communications for $674.00 month
- Air Spings for $899.95 Month
- Henson for $599.95 Month.
With the current Frontier bill running $2,000 -$2,400.00 monthly; within 13 months of the new system installation, it will be paid for in savings. A motion was made by Commissioner Lupardus with a second from President Arthur, the motion carried.
Following the loss of a portion of their grant funding the Cabot Recycling Station had requested assistance from the County Commission. The emergency funding for the Calhoun Solid Waste Authority/Cabot Recycling Station was requested from their board with the advisement that they were looking to restructure their finances. Commissioner Lupardus has been talking to Senator Maynard for the past three weeks and will continue to seek help, but still no funding has been found. A motion was made by President Arthur and seconded by Commissioner McCumbers to provide the $14,520.00 requested. The motion passed unanimously.
All Commissioners believed that the Recycling Center was an excellent investment for the Community with all their local work on getting and keeping our community clean from tires and trash. “Tread Lightly” Day will be held on September 20th, 2025
Jerry Bain spoke to the Commission under delegations on behalf of Tread Lightly! Day WV that is in its third consecutive year. The event is run by Jerry Bain and the Country Roads Coalition (CRC) to promote sustainable motorized recreation and stewardship in service to public lands. This grassroots event is for West Virginia, by West Virginia, and is a collaborative effort to both educate and involve the community in taking care of the treasures that are part of this wild and wonderful state. Calhoun is one of four Counties chosen to participate, likely because of their past record of excellent community involvement spearheaded by the Calhoun Solid Waste Authority. Trash collected from rivers, trails and roadways will be weighed to determine a county winner. Local on and off road groups are encouraged to participate in the countywide event.
The Commission received and approved a list of procedures from the Calhoun County Administrator Jennifer Randolph.
Commissioner Lupardus requested that the Commission reconsider the next meeting date and time due to a request for him to attend a Statewide meeting on the same date. With that discussion Ridgeview News requested to know why all recent meetings were now being scheduled for evening hours, not allowing business and organizations to attend during their work hours. When the Commission decided to have two meetings each month is so one could be held in the evenings and one during the day to accommodate the community. Mr. Lupardus stated that the evening meetings became necessary to accommodate Commissioners Arthur and McCumbers who are school teachers. However, Ridgeview noted that they knew the daytime meetings were required when they ran for office.
Commissioner Arthur stated that every time they appeared by phone people complained because they weren’t there in person. With that being said, Ridgeview believes that it shouldn’t matter so long as they participate, and with two meetings each month the Commissioners will surely be seen in person at one or the other. The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 at 9 a.m. Commissioner Arthur who was to be hired to teach in Gilmer County last night will attend by phone, but Commission McCumbers said that he believed he could attend in person.
Commissioner Lupardus had requested that the Commission discuss the part time hours of the Litter control officer with regard to allowing additional hours, paid from appropriate funding areas to perform 911 addressing issues, tower site maintenance and possible work at the Calhoun County Park. The matter will be added to the next month’s agenda.
Sheriff Graham Knight requested the hiring of Isaiah Wilson at $11.00 per hour for nineteen hours a week to perform Court Security. A motion was made by President Arthur, Seconded by Commissioner McCumbers and passed by all.
