Braxton Citizens' News

Commission hopes to net $4 million for broadband

One of the actions at last Friday’s Braxton County Commission could bring as much as $4 million to the county for broadband expansion. During the meeting Larry Clifton made a motion to pledge $1 million of the county’s allotted (ARP) American Recovery Plan funds to the West Virginia Department of Economic Development’s GigReady Incentive Grant Program. The county’s 25% match, could if approved, provide highspeed internet services to approximately 1366 area residents and businesses with the addition of 26 miles of fiber optic cable.

Addie Facemire, newly hired director of BC Drug Testing Services was first to address the Commission at last Friday’s meeting. She presented the Commission with her agency’s activity report for the month of December. That information revealed a total of 62 drug screens were administer. In addition, Facemire reported that two individuals had completed the requirements of their home confinement and had been released.

John Hoffman, County OES, 9-1-1 and EMS Director had several matters to discuss with the Commission.

He presented the Commissioners with a report on his agencies’ activities for the month of December and the accumulative totals for the calendar year. That information showed a total of 2088 calls had come into the 9-1-1 center in December. Of that total 564 were emergency related; 150 were for county law enforcement agencies, 78 for fire departments, 142 for EMS with the remaining 174 being miscellaneous by nature.

After a brief explanation from Hoffman, Melvin Gum made a motion to approve a resolution for the purchase of a new CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system for the 9-1-1 Center.

The Director also requested permission to hire Samuel James Snyder as a full-time Medic/Driver for the ambulance service. He stated that Snyder would receive $17 per hour as well as full county benefits. He will also serve a 90 probationary period. The request was granted on a motion by Larry Clifton.

Following a brief discussion, the Commission approved changes in the county’s magisterial districts brought on by the recently completed census as suggested by the County Clerk’s office.

In other action the Larry Clifton made a  motion led to the approval of the short form settlement for David Scott Mowery as presented by the Fiduciary Supervisor.

Only one purchase order came before the Commission for consideration. The Sheriff was granted approval to purchase two ballistic vests from Markl Supply Company Inc. at a t cost of $1,476.00.

The Commission approved joining the Town of Sutton and Just One Generation in paying $400 each to have a large colony of feral cats in Sutton spade and/or neutered.

Larry Clifton made a motion to give Sheriff Lou DellaMea permission to pay off two police vehicles totaling $8,748.07 with funds in his budget.

It was also Clifton who introduced action to allocate $250 so the county would continue to participate in the Senior Companion Program.

After a review, the Commission approved the county and EMS invoices for payment.

Melvin Gum made a motion to approve the minutes of the Commission regular meeting on January 10 and a Special Meeting on January 12 as presented by the County Clerk.

The Commission adjourned at 9:27 a.m. The Commission’s next regular meeting will convene on February 4 at 9:00 a.m.