By Hannah Heishman
The Hardy County Commission met for a regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 9 a.m. in the courthouse.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer, and calling the meeting to order, Commission president Steven Schetrom recognized Hunter Mullens, who presented a check worth a bit more than $65,000 from State opioid funds to the county.
The Region 2 forester, Rosalie Santerre, provided information about last March’s fires, which burned 4013 acres starting March 20.
One — the Waites Run fire — started and mostly stayed on federal land, which meant it was administratively handled from Edinburg, Va., rather than the Hardy County Office of Emergency Management at the 911 Center. This, in turn, meant the County met delays in information.
“Is there anything we can do to make the system better?” Schetrom asked, going on to mention concerns with communications.
“I don’t know that there was anything we could’ve done, other than maybe have a staff person there,” Santerra said, adding that if they’d done that, it would’ve taken someone out of the woods who was fighting fires. “It does make communications harder when you don’t have a person in the same room, I agree with you on that,” Santerre said.
She said that, while the winds made fighting the fires harder, brush, leaves, and firewood stacked right up against structures didn’t help protect property, either.
Coworker Roger Ozburn, based in Morgantown, said there’s a a project reviving a hazard mitigation program focused on the Potomac Highlands and Eastern Panhandle counties, called Firewise WV.
In a change from the first time Firewise was used, this time communities themselves will do the work and create the plans, with input from the Forestry Service.
“If I tell you what to do,” Ozburn said, “You didn’t learn anything, you didn’t get the benefit.”
Paul Lewis, director of the Hardy County Office of Emergency Management, said a contractor has radios and antennas to add to the Lost City communications tower. Once that is complete, the state will install the Motorola equipment. He did not have a date.
Lewis said he’s still waiting to hear from mobile companies about whether they’d like space on either the Helmick Rock or Lost City towers.
The backup system that keeps the center running from the time power goes out until the generator kicks in is producing warning that the batteries are at the end of their life cycles. Lewis said the anticipated cost is $17,000, but he’s trying to see if he can get them replaced for less.
He reported that the Hardy County Emergency Ambulance Authority board of directors will hold a closed budget work session on Feb. 12, and their regular monthly meeting on Feb. 17. The second meeting will be open to the public.
Lewis discussed the $3.75 fees for 911 on landlines. The Commission opted to propose increasing the fee by $1.75. This still must be approved through the Public Service Commission and the phone companies.
Lewis reported the 911 center dispatched 564 calls in January. The Sheriff’s Office had 219 calls; Moorefield Police Department had 151 calls; and the W.Va. State Police had 26 calls. West Hardy EMS had 106 calls; HCEAA had 84 and Wardensville Volunteer Rescue Squad had 35.
Moorefield VFD responded to 33 calls, Baker-Mathias VFD had 23, and Capon Valley VFD nine.
The Department of Highways responded to 30 calls.
Derek Alt and Nathan Kesner were not present. The Commission approved $75,000 for HCEAA for March. Lewis told the Commissioners that the three EMS companies were submitting budget requests to him, for inclusion in the HCEAA board budget work session.
Bill Ours from the Hardy County Health Department reported that the new building is working out well. He said dog bites are “outrageous,” and asked if the County has a vicious dog policy. Deputy J.T. Miller said there is a state law, but nothing at the County level.
Miller then went on to give the Sheriff’s Office report, including the Drug Task Force. He said the office is 1.6% under budget.
County Planner Wendy Branson presented the Commission with options to hire Wendy Greve, who will help bring the County’s employee handbook back to compliance. Commissioners opted to pay $3000 for a full handbook revision, unlimited phone calls for assistance, and one in-person meeting.
Schetrom noted that Greve is, “accessible.” “It would ultimately be the better choice, probably,” he said.
Greve’s other option was $250 per hour.
Branson updated Commissioners on the dog pound, reporting that Jim Shupe has picked up five stray dogs, and had one drop-off. There were 11 dogs in the pound on Jan. 31; she agreed with the Commission that this number was “more manageable” than the crowded conditions reported in previous months.
The Commission agreed to sign a resolution for a USDA Spay and Neuter grant, and a memorandum of understanding for the County’s parks’ use of Region 8’s wood chipper.
In other business, the Commission reappointed Steven Schetrom to the Region 7 Workforce board. They approved using DigiFox Designs to redo the County’s webpage.
The December 2024 jail bill was $31,351.54.
The next meeting of the Hardy County Commission is Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 5 p.m. in the Commission’s courthouse chambers. The public is encouraged to attend.
