Josh Bates with Wetzel County Public Service District One met with the County commission Aug. 21 to inform them that several water meters in the county have reached the end of their life expectancy. Bates stated meters have a lifespan of approximately 10 years, and some of the current meters are beginning to falter. Bates would like to replace as many meters as possible beginning as soon as possible, because he is fearful several meters will quit all at once, creating a major issue. The price per meter is estimated at costing $227, and Bates said he will need 550 to replace all the necessary meters. Bates added the meters can be installed during the winter and even preferred to do it then when work is slower. After some discussion, the commission passed a motion to purchase 275 meters, at $227 per meter, for a total of $62,425. Once the first 275 meters are installed, Bates can return to the commissioners to give a report on the meters and to request the replacement of the other 275 meters.

County Clerk Carol Haught spoke with the commissioners concerning the purchase of a new voting system. Haught explained the federal government approved $3.61 million to be used in West Virginia for the purpose of bolstering cyber and physical election systems security, upgrading voting systems, and making polling places accessible. Haught stated that Wetzel County has been using the same voting system for 12 years now, and there is appropriate funding set aside for the upgrade of a voting system. The amount of the new system is estimated at $452,682.62, and the county would have to match $226,341.33 to be eligible for the available grant. The new voting system will not go into effect until the primary election of 2020. The commission passed a motion to purchase the new voting system and to apply for the HAVA grant.

Josh Jefferson, of the Regional Economic Development Partnership met with the commission to provide an update on the Forbes property along Route 2. The property is currently owned by the state, but the county had inquired about purchasing the property for county development. The commissioners feel there is very little development available in the county, and this piece of property holds a lot of value in terms of development. West Virginia Department of Highways personnel had originally stated they would sell the property, but they have since changed their minds. The commissioners would like a letter from the DOH explaining their intentions with the property, Commissioner Larry Lemon stated that with the current bridge painting project lasting an estimated one-and-one-half years, “That property is going to be off the stage for any promotion to use it, which as a commissioner I object to strenuously, because we have a limited amount of property in New Martinsville for development, most of which is in the flood plain, and that is a key piece of property.” Lemon continued, “I wish the DOH would first had notified us of their plans, which they did not, which is insulting; secondly, we need to get that piece of property on the market for sale.” Jefferson stated he will draft a letter to the DOH, requesting better communication from the DOH and to request a letter of intent as to what is going to be done with the property.

The commission passed a motion to add the “Brunch Bill” to the upcoming general election ballot on Nov. 6. The residents of Wetzel County will vote to determine “Shall the beginning hour at which non-intoxicating beer, wine and alcoholic liquor be sold or dispensed for on premises consumption only in Wetzel County on Sundays be changed from one o’clock p.m. to ten o’ clock a.m.”

If approved by the voters, this would allow licensed private clubs, restaurants and Class A retail dealers to sell and dispense non-intoxicating beer for on premises consumption only beginning at 10 a.m.

In another matter, at its Aug. 14 meeting, the commission granted a request to give funding toward improvements to the Pine Grove park. It was noted the Wetzel County Board of Education had donated $35,000 and requested the commission match that donation.

The commission also approved of the agreement between the board and itself for school resource officers in the Hundred and Paden City areas.

In a separate matter the commission approved of a payment of $54,067 for the CAD computer upgrade at the 911 center. The center will ble paying $40,000.

Also, a revision to the budget was made with an increase of $12,029.

In another matter, the Paden City Labor Day Celebration Committee is excited to be celebrating 70 years and requested help to make the event happen. The event, held Sept. 1-3, will feature the ever-popular parade on Labor Day at 1 p.m.

The commission agreed to donate $8,000.