The Hardy County Commission met July 1; Commission president with Steven Schetrom was absent. Commissioner “Jay” Fansler presided over the session, during which department heads and agency representatives delivered a range of operational and financial updates.
Public Safety & Emergency Services
OEM/911 Director Paul Lewis reported the Lost City tower has almost all SIRN equipment installed, and should be finished this month.
He said the Helmick Rock tower was struck by lightning in June, which knocked out the circuit board to the generator and the County’s paging system particularly on the east side of the county. The generator is repaired, and technicians had the paging system repaired the same day.
Lewis reported agencies received the following number of calls:
WV Department of Natural Resources had 13 calls; the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office had 295; the Moorefield Police Department had 142, and the WV State Police had 60.
West Hardy EMS had 117 calls; HCEAA had 91; and Wardensville had 47.
Moorefield VFD had 36 calls; Capon Valley VFD had 14; and Mathias/Baker VFD had 12.
Lewis reported he’s not yet received information on 2025 grants, and that “most of that information” depends what happens with FEMA. Other grants depend on what the State receives, which depends on what they receive from the federal government.
He also said the county has not yet received funding from several approved grants, including the 2024 LEPC grant, for which all paperwork was mailed in December, “way before the closing deadline.”
Commissioner David Workman said a citizen talked to him about a pipe installed near the levee at the end of Welton Road that creates issues with drainage, and noted a lack of response from the town. Lewis said he would look into it.
Lewis also addressed recent severe weather reports, stating there is no evidence of a tornado touching down in the Old Fields area.
Roger Vacovsky, Operations Liaison for the Hardy County Emergency Ambulance Authority (HCEAA), provided a preliminary overview, noting the end of the fiscal year and the absence of finalized financial statements. HCEAA’s quarterly board meeting is set for July 9. Vacovsky acknowledged ongoing budgetary strain across EMS agencies and highlighted efforts to strengthen EMS staffing, especially in West Hardy, where crews have performed “spectacular work” despite resource limitations.
Bill Ours, Administrator of the Hardy County Health Department, announced the department has officially moved out of its previous location. He requested — and received — Commission approval to reappoint Nicole Keller to a five-year term. The Commission also approved a previously discussed $25 fee for fulfilling environmental records requests related to wells, due to the time-intensive nature of the work.
Ours also updated the Commission on discussions with Fresenius Medical Care regarding a potential dialysis center, noting positive feedback from a recent engineering assessment.
Ours ‘switched hats’ and praised the County’s support of the golf course and celebrated the recent opening of the Twisted Iron, a new full-service restaurant offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the clubhouse, and open to the public.
Sheriff Steve Dawson reported that the Hardy County Sheriff’s Office ended the fiscal year $40,000 under budget. He provided annual call statistics: HCSO responded to 3,279 calls, compared to 1,900 from Moorefield Police, 474 from WV State Police, and 161 from DNR.
He recognized and officially commended Deputy A. Vance for heroic actions in rescuing a victim from a burning vehicle and properly identifying hazardous materials at the scene to 911 dispatchers.
Continued & New Business
The Commission discussed replacing expiring AED batteries, with over 40 units across the county due for replacement between August and January. The Hardy County Training Center, operated through West Hardy EMS, requested $8,302 in assistance. Commissioners asked County Coordinator Wendy Branson about USDA grant assistance. She instead noted potential for Congressional direct funding, as the USDA grants that have purchased equipment for first response, including police cruisers, are no longer available.
Several board reappointments were approved:
Hardy County Rural Development Authority: Elwood Williams, Robert Williams and Greg Greenwalt were reappointed through June 2028, executive director Mallie Combs praised the board as “excellent.”
Hardy County Planning Commission: Reappointed Roger Saville and Robert Williams.
Hardy County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA): Daniel Aylor and Barry Conaty were reappointed for three-year terms.
Additional approvals included: a letter of support for the Community Education Group for grant application; and a contract renewal for the Assessor’s Office, funded by the Assessor Evaluation Fund.
Branson also updated the Commission on various county initiatives:
The pound took in 13 dogs, including a pregnant hound that gave birth to six puppies. PHAR accepted 10 of the animals. There are 14 dogs at the pound.
Surveillance cameras for the dog pound have been ordered and will be installed once interior work is complete.
A proclamation was approved in support of Hardy County’s continued participation in “Hardy County Goes Purple” for substance use awareness this September.
Branson enrolled in an advanced Grant Writing course through Marshall University from July 15 to September 12.
Additional Reports
Peggy Moomaw reported a $1,700 quote for a second television in the Commission chambers; no motion was required due to the minimal expenditure. She also noted rescheduling of the Public Information Officer (PIO) training, now set for August 5–7 in Hampshire County.
The Commission renewed a contract with Global Science & Technologies for tech support.
The Commission approved a state budget revision to carry over funds for Fiscal Year 2026.
The May regional jail bill was reported at $33,832.26.
Farmland Preservation reported $13,091.10 in transfer tax collections for June. Notably, all related transfer taxes will now stay within the county moving forward.
The next Farmland Preservation Board meeting is scheduled for July 10.
The Commission meets again for the next regular meeting on August 5 at 9 a.m. in their courthouse chambers. The public is encouraged to attend.
