Trust established to provide food for Animal Shelter
One of the activities at last Friday’s regular meeting of the Braxton County Commission was to proclaim November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month in the county. Elaina Massey, with WV Caring made the request on behalf of her agency based in Burnsville. Upon hearing the presentation, Larry Clifton made a motion to authorize President Lisa Godwin to sign an official proclamation on behalf of the Commission.
Mr. and Mrs. Lester “Chip” Mallion appeared before the Commission with good news for the county’s abandoned animal population. Mrs. Mallion explained that Calvin Knight, who was instrumental in helping to establish the Animal Shelter, had passed away. She when on to explain that it was his wishes to provide a trust to help feed the unwanted animal population following his death. She told of the lengthy process she and her husband had taken on to carry out their relative’s wishes. She informed the Commission that the trust was now established and for the next 50 years would provide an estimated $3,000 per year for food at the shelter. Commission president Lisa Godwin thanked the couple for their hard work and Mr. Knight’s generosity, while elaborating on how much benefit the contribution would be to the local facility.
Tyler Long OES/9-1-1 Supervisor was first to address the Commission. He presented the body with an activity report for the county’s emergency communications center for the month of October. A total of 2,584 were received at Braxton Control during the period. Of those, 777 were emergency related.
Roger Hall, a member of the Sugar Creek Public Service District Board appeared before the Commission to inquire about a request his agency made some weeks ago for the County to assist the PSD in purchasing a small excavator. Hall explained that his agency did not have much luck finding a quality used machine which led them to Appalachian Equipment Solutions of Jane Lew. Hall stated that the owner of the company was a Braxton County resident and had offered a very good price on a new machine with a 5 year/5000-hour warranty. Hall said the discounted price was $24,500 and requested that Commission increase their financial contribution to cover the price. Following a brief discussion, Larry Clifton made a motion to approve the request.
Barbara Adams, President of the BC Emergency Ambulance Authority and EMS Advisory Board, requested that the Commission raise the pay of Tyler Long by $2 per hour for the month of November while he serves as Acting OES/9-1-1 Director in the absence of John Hoffman who is recovering from heart surgery. That request was granted.
Melissa O’Brien of Citynet spoke to the Commission concerning the recently approved grant awarded to the Roane County Economic Development Authority in conjunction with the Braxton County EDA and other counties. She explained what the funding would do to improve broadband service in the county and what the time frame would be.
Commission President Lisa Godwin read a report on the activities of the County Ambulance Service on behalf of Director Tiffany Prior who was ill and unable to attend the meeting.
In other action, the Commission approved the probate appointments as presented by the Fiduciary Supervisor.
A motion by Larry Clifton approved applications for correction of erroneous assessments for” James E. Cayton, Eric & Kristy Veltre and Prince Petroleum Company
A single purchase order came before the Commission for consideration. That request was for an APC back up UPS system for the County Clerks Office in the amount of $2,799.90. That request was approved.
The Commission approved the renewal of a resolution to apply for a 50/50 match grant for Holly Gray Park.
Following a discussion, Larry Clifton made a motion to hire Jeff Freeman, who was retiring as a full-time process server for the Sheriff’s Department, as a part-time Court Monitoring Security Staff member at the Annex building.
The Commission also authorized the County Clerk to establish a separate banking account for the Salary Enhancement and Crisis Response Grant that is required by the grant award.
Commission President Lisa Godwin opened two bids, both from Mark LeRose Ford for a used truck for the County’s Maintenance Department. Following a review, Larry Clifton made a motion to purchase the 2016 Chevrolet at a cost of $24,479 which as the lesser of the two bids.
Separate motions approved the County and EMS invoices for payment and the minutes of the Commission’s regular meeting on October 20 as submitted by the County Clerk.
Being no further business to consider the meeting adjourned at 9:39 a.m. The next regular meeting of the Braxton County Commission will convene on November 17 at 9:00 a.m.
