The Hardy County Commission met Wednesday, March 5 in their courthouse chambers. The meeting, normally the first Tuesday of each month, was moved a day to accommodate other meetings the commissioners had to attend.
Paul Lewis told the Commission a contractor has the antennae and microwave for both the Helmick Rock and Lost City towers in a Charleston warehouse. The state must still install the Motorola equipment, and they had not yet scheduled a date.
Lewis said there’s still part of a bill outstanding but, “I don’t think I should pay it until the equipment’s been installed.”
Commission president Steven Schetrom asked about expectations for personal communications. Lewis said there will be no improvement until cellular equipment is installed, which happens based on cell companies’ construction schedule.
Schetrom told those present he’d been at the National Association of Counties meetings the previous day. He said representatives from a county in Florida spoke about reactions to Hurricane Ian and preparedness beforehand, including have contracts already in place to expedite recovery.
“We can’t not have FEMA,” Schetrom said. “We can’t have 50 separate agencies. We need improvements.”
FEMA is usually able to distribute money after a disaster well before states can pay.
Lewis reported the 911 Center dispatched 536 calls in February.
The Hardy County Sheriff’s Office had 237 calls; Moorefield Police Department had 131 calls; the W.Va. State Police had 21 calls; and W.Va. Department of Natural Resources had eight.
West Hardy EMS had 100 calls; Hardy County Emergency Ambulance Authority (HCEAA) had 68; and Wardensville Rescue Squad had 26.
The Moorefield Volunteer Fire Department had 29 calls; Mathias/Baker had 18 calls; and Capon Valley VFD in Wardensville had 16.
The Center dispatched 24 calls to the Department of Highways in January.
Lewis reported he’s not received 2025 grant information. He said most of it will depend on what happens with FEMA, and what the Governor does with the Office of Emergency Management.
HCEAA director Derek Alt said total February expenses were $106,786.06; total revenue was $198,277.37.
All vehicles and county equipment are in service.
Commission members unanimously approved HCEAA’s April budget drawdown of $60,000.
Alt reported that February was the first month, “in about nine months, that we didn’t have to come in for additional funds.”
Alt said HCEAA is starting to see income from Wardensville Rescue Squad.
The Commission recognized Roger Vacovsky, who was present, as the newest member of the HCEAA board of directors, and operations liaison (unpaid).
“(Vacovsky is) a huge asset to that Board, and that organization,” Schetrom said.
Bill Ours, administrator for the Hardy County Health Department, advised the Commission not to get too “excited” about vaccination legislation coming out of the West Virginia Senate: “We don’t anticipate the House will accept it.”
Ours said he’s contacted the State for information about measles vaccines, as his office has been fielding citizens’ calls.
“I would like public schools to require vaccinations,” Ours said. “There’s a reason we haven’t seen polio. There’s a reason we haven’t lost lives to some of these diseases in the last 40-50 years.”
“I talked to you guys about disaster preparedness,” Ours said. “Disaster preparedness is changing. They used to want you to take care of yourself for three days. Now it’s three weeks, before you can get expect help.”
Ours added that more information is forthcoming following a meeting with State officials.
He also told the Commission he’s nearing a 10-year contract to open another dialysis center operated by Fresenius.
Ron Miller, George Leatherman and Don Whetzel, District Operations Manager for the Potomac Valley Conservation District, presented information to the Commission and reminded them of their monthly meetings.
They requested flood control dams maintenance funds, asking for $10,000, which the Commission unanimously granted.
Whetzel noted that water from the dams was used to fight fires in March 2024, and to help farmers with water during severe drought conditions. About half of the States’ dams are in Hardy, Grant, Pendleton and Mineral Counties.
Most of the dams are between 70 and 80 years old, and federal funding is currently on hold pending outcomes of cost cutting.
Their next meeting is Tuesday, April 8 at 7 p.m. at the Farm Credit Union in Moorefield.
The Commissioners approved a request from the American Red Cross to designate March as Red Cross Month.
They voted to accept an engagement letter from lawyer Robert Ryan. He will provide general advice and counsel to the Commission as need arises, and will bill the County $275 per hour.
“I see this as a public service,” Ryan said, noting he bills $475 per hour working in a known law firm.
The Commission signed a proclamation that March is Music in Our Schools Month.
Several discussions on the agenda were tabled pending more information on the budget, and how much money the County will receive. Budget meetings are scheduled in the coming weeks.
The Commission’s next meeting is Tuesday, March 18 at 5 p.m. in their chambers. The public is encouraged to attend.
