In a brief statement, early in last Friday’s regular meeting of the Braxton County Commission, Sheriff Eddie Williams addressed a recent bomb threat that could have endangered the courthouse and county employees. The Sheriff said that his department had completed a draft of a bomb threat plan that he would like to present to the Commission during a work session for their review. “For security purposes, we would prefer to keep the particulars out of the public preview, but we are confident that, with additional input from the stakeholders, we will have a workable plan,” explained the Sheriff.
Maria Lockard, Director of the Braxton County Testing Center presented her agency’s January activity report to the Commission. That document revealed that BCTC conducted 93 drug screenings during the period.
Tiffany Prior, EMS Director, presented the activity report for Braxton County Emergency Ambulance Services to the Commission. She also discussed billing issues with the body and suggested they further review statistics at their next work session.
Tyler Long, 9-1-1 Director discussed a recent back up generator failure with the Commission and the exorbitant cost to repair the equipment. He added that he was investigating other companies and their charges for similar services.
In other action, the Commission approved the short form settlements for the following as submitted by the fiduciary supervisor: Mary Nell Bentley, Emma Jean Bright, Elaine Ruth Cassell, Doloris Marie Davis Facemire, Dottie Jean Facemire, aka Dotty Jean Smith, Bonnie J. Jones, Cory Lee Huffman, Mary L. Martin and Betty F. Reip.
The Commission approved an application for correction of erroneous assessment for Amy Jenkins.
Seven purchase orders came before the Commission for consideration. All were approved via separate motions: Summersville Seamless Gutters, gutters and fascia boards at the Health Department at a cost of #1,350; Software Systems $1,133.25 for maintenance and electronic support for the Sheriff’s Office; Johnson Controls replace two batteries in the fire panel at the 9-1-1 Center at a cost of $901.46; Ferrell Gas, $613.42 for propane for the emergency generator at the radio tower; Bays Power Solutions, remove and replace audible alarm controller at the E 9-1-1 complex at a total cost of $1,091.51; Bays Power Solutions, replace fuse in generator at 9-1-1 center due to power failure, $1,592.96; Tanner Communications, $850/00 to preplace a dual channel card service power supply.
The Commission approved an RFP for Flatwoods Canoe Run PSD’s Exchange waterline extension project.
Larry Clifton introduced a motion to approve a proposal by TK Elevator to perform annual safety tests on Courthouse elevator and a no-load safety test on the elevator at the Courthouse Annex.
Following a brief explanation, Brent Boggs made a motion to add Gassaway as a co-sponsor to the DOT Rails to Trails Downtown Connector Grant and to write a letter to the DOT requesting the change.
The Commission granted permission to take the necessary steps to apply for the Elk River Trail Connector Project Grant to extend the trail from Gassaway to Sutton and from Gassaway to Gilmer Station.
President Lisa Godwin explained her recent attendance at a Sutton Council meeting. She requested and received a motion to hire Tracy Weber III, Attorney at Law to handle a petition for the abandonment of 3rd Street so the Commission could pursue paving the county parking lot behind the Courthouse.
Following a brief discussion, the Commission approved providing the Braxton County Development Authority $2,500 to assist with paying for the Economic Development Summit the agency is sponsoring at the Day Hotel Conference Center on March 4 and 5.
The Commission reviewed a recommendation from the Prosecuting Attorney before Brent Boggs made a motion for the county not to be involved and further with Creston and Linda Metheny’s request to have FEMA purchase their property.
The Commission approved a resolution and external budget revisions for the Office of Emergency Services to reflect moving the director from part to full-time status.
The final action of the Commission was separate motions that authorized the payment of county and EMS invoices and the minutes of the group’s February 7 meeting as presented by the County Clerk.
The meeting adjourned at 9:51 a.m. The next regular meeting of the Braxton County Commission will convene on March 7 at 9:00 a.m.
