The latest meeting of the Braxton County Commission was a brief one with the open session lasting less than ten minutes. Commissioners remained on the job for some time, spending nearing two hours behind closed doors in executive session discussing “personnel matters.” The Prosecuting Attorney was also included in the private meeting. The regular post of the session reopened to the public at 11:01 a.m. with no action taken.
The meeting was called to order by President Lisa Godwin at 9:00 a.m. with all members present.
Robin Smith of the Sutton Community Corporation/OnTrac was first to address the Commissioners. She requested permission to decorate the Courthouse Square for the Christmas holidays as well as other activities her organization is planning. After hearing the request, Larry Clifton made a motion to allow the organization to proceed.
Gary Beamer was also on the agenda to discuss activities he is helping the Town of Sutton coordinate in conjunction with the Sutton Fall Festival. Smith told the Commissioners that Beamer was ill and couldn’t be present. President Godwin said that he would be placed on their next meeting’s agenda.
Later in the meeting President Godwin told the audience that the Commission has received six applications for the position of coordinator of the Braxton County Testing Services Center. She explained that one application came in after the deadline and was not considered and that two applications withdrew their names from consideration prior to the interview. She said the Commission interviewed the remaining three. Larry Clifton made a motion to hire Marie Lockard to fill the vacancy. That action was approved. Lockard will be paid $21,000 with full county benefits. She is expected to assume her new role on September 6.
In other action, the Probate Appointments for the month of August were approved as submitted on a motion by Larry Clifton.
Melvin Gum made the motion to approve applications for correction of erroneous assessments for Kenney Haney, Life etal. and Charlotte Van Buren.
The Commission also approved applications for consolidation of contiguous tracts of land for tax purposes for Dewey and Alice Nottingham and Clark and Morna Greene.
Following reviews, separate motions approved the county and EMS bills for payment and the Commission meeting minutes for their gathering on August 19 and special meeting on August 29.
The Commission went into executive session at approximately 9:09 a.m. They reconvened at 11:01 and adjourned.
The next regular meeting of the Braxton County Commission will be on September 16 beginning at 9:00 a.m.