By Hannah Heishman
The Hardy County Commission met Tuesday, May 5 to cover a range of topics that started by recognizing Commissioner David Workman, who will be enshrined into the West Virginia Agriculture Hall of Fame.
Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and 911 center director Paul Lewis told the Commission that once the state Statewide Interoperable Radio Network (SIRN) group installs Motorola equipment on the Lost City tower, that project will be complete except for fencing and minor road repairs.
Lewis told the Commissioners he’s setting up another class for Project Lifesaver, a program that provides wearable tracking devices and support for family members who might wander and get lost, particularly young children or adults with memory issues.
Cost to families would be about $5 per month, to contribute to the cost of providing batteries.
The 911 Center handled 601 calls in April.
The Hardy County Sheriff’s Office had 272 calls; Moorefield Police Department had 128 calls; and the State Police had 44 calls. There were six calls for the Department of Natural Resources, but Hardy County does not have a DNR officer.
West Hardy Emergency Medical Service had 110 calls, Hardy County Emergency Ambulance Authority had 92 calls, and Wardensville Volunteer Rescue Squad had 36. Lewis clarified that some of HCEAA’s calls and Wardensville’s calls were the same call.
Moorefield Volunteer Fire Department had 31 calls; Mathias/Baker had 12 calls, and Capon Valley had six.
At the end of Lewis’ report, Schetrom presented him with a plaque for his service as the HCEAA board of directors president from 2013 to 2025.
“We appreciate you very much,” Schetrom said.
Hardy County Health Department administrator Bill Ours reported the generator for the new Health Department building is, “up and running.”
Ours also said there are four to six citizens who are “dealing with rabies shots, due to handling wildlife” and feral animals.
“People just don’t get it,” he said. “Everybody wants to save every stray animal that they see…some of the wildlife people are seeing, need to be left alone.”
Derek Alt, HCEAA director, reported all their vehicles are in service, although one truck has a transmission issue.
Alt said HCEAA has, “a nice downward trend,” in terms of the money they’re spending, and expect another decrease in salary and wages in June. “The (HCEAA) Board has much more involvement,” he said. “I have constant contact daily. They’re very engaged.”
Schetrom noted, “Salary wages have dropped 23% since January.”
Alt said their budget is “right around” $21,000, and so far they’re “running right around $19,000,” with a goal of being under budget.
He said in the last board meeting he created, with the board of directors, an operational chart and procedures for the ambulance company.
Alt requested $60,000 to fund operations in June. The Commission approved. The Commission and Alt also discussed, and clarified, that July’s drawdown will be a special allocation, as the county’s fiscal year ends in June.
They also discussed that ambulance services have what might otherwise be considered an unworkable business model, due to how Medicare/Medicaid and insurance pay bills. Alt estimated the company gets between 40% and 60% of collections, and that, for HCEAA, between $250,000 and $300,000 is unrecoverable.
The Commission voted to hold a public hearing across two dates in June for the ambulance fee ordinance update: Monday, June 16, at 7 p.m. at the HCEAA building; and Tuesday, June 17 at 7 p.m. at the courthouse. They will publish the documents on Facebook and their webpage prior to the meeting. Citizens can also contact the Commission for a mailed hard copy of both the original and proposed versions.
Sheriff Steve Dawson reported his department is “extremely busy, day-to-day, answering calls,” and noted the dispatched calls don’t always include those who fail drug tests, juveniles, magistrate court, and serving paperwork like domestic violence protective orders.
Dawson said the office is still under budget, and should end the year under budget.
Schetrom asked about a situation that occurred in Wardensville, in which an individual lived for several days in a church, apparently without permission. Schetrom said, when questioned about options, he advised cameras and better locks on doors.
“What you’re saying is exactly right,” Dawson said. “They need to keep it locked up a lot better. I’d love to see more cameras in Wardensville.”
Dawson briefly discussed the challenges faced when his deputies used the few cameras they could find to try to identify a vehicle used during a cattle theft.
The Commission voted to donate $3000 to the Music in Schools program, to be split 50/50 between Moorefield and East Hardy.
The Commission accepted the only bid they received for sidewalk repairs outside the courthouse. The bid was $27,085. The county requested bids from the public twice.
Savannah Wilkins, the state Future Business Leaders of America vice president and an East Hardy junior, requested $1000 to help fund her trip to the National Leadership Conference. Wilkins detailed the other ways she’s working to raise the total $3000 she needs to attend. The Commission approved her request.
The Commission adopted a proclamation recognizing May 9 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day.
They agreed to move $400,000 into a higher-interest-bearing account, from an account that accrues no interest.
County Coordinator Wendy Branson reported that dog warden Jim Shupe picked up six dogs in April. Three others were left at the pound. Three dogs were returned to their owners. Six, including a puppy, were transferred to Potomac Highlands Animal Rescue.
Branson discussed ongoing facility improvement, and initiated a discussion about the possibility of mounting cameras in and around the pound for security.
Branson said trees were removed to facilitate construction. She also said that the dogs “immediately took to” the eight raised dog beds provided by citizen John Lestitian.
The Commission approved Branson’s request to sign a letter for the Town of Wardensville supporting an application for Congressional Direct Spending.
Branson said she has several grant requests under review, including for projects that have already been done.
For the courthouse and grounds report, Branson noted that after Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Weatherholt resigned, there was some damage to a chair and an electric desk in his office. The desk, at least, has been successfully repaired.
Former Judge Robert Ryan was sworn in as the new Prosecutor on May 1, and reported no issues with his office.
Branson praised Hardy County Parks and Recreation personnel for the work they do keeping grounds neat and attractive.
“I can’t say enough good things,” she said.
The Commission adopted a proclamation marking May as Mental Health Awareness Month.
Before Public Relations Specialist Peggy Moomaw began her report, there was a discussion about attending conferences.
When the Commissioners attend conferences, it allows them to network and have discussions that might not organically occur otherwise. Schetrom noted that, because of conference attendance, the Commissioners were better prepared to handle requests to, for example, construct wind turbines in Baker.
One Commissioner does not take health insurance through the county, partly to help offset conference costs.
Moomaw presented the Commission with options for the website. The security standards the State wants counties to meet are not currently possible under the County’s plan. They opted to stay with Hardy Telecommunications until further direction is added to the state code, and will consider changes for the budget next year.
The Commission will meet again May 20, at 5 p.m. at the courthouse, and on June 3 at 9 a.m. The public is encouraged to attend.
