Cailey Moore
Staff Writer
It was a fairly quiet at the June 21, Pocahontas County Commission meeting, and despite the 18-item agenda, business was addressed in a relatively quick fashion.
911 Director Mike O’Brien appeared before the commission concerning the 911 Center’s outdated radio dispatch equipment.
The center is no longer able to obtain replacement parts for the outdated console, and in the case of the Cheat Mountain radio tower, the system is not in compliance with the regulations posted by the National Quiet Zone. The center has been granted a one-year waiver to bring the console up to regulation.
With the upgrade, the Cheat Mountain console would be able to dispatch emergencies via an Internet connection.
O’Brien hopes to fix the issue with the fire tones, as well.
The current dispatch console doesn’t allow for the 911 center to separate the individual fire tones from the fire whistle in Marlinton, and no matter where the tones are activated, the whistle sounds in Marlinton.
The commission approved O’Brien’s request to purchase Motorola radio equipment for a total cost of $362,758 with monthly payments of up to one year.
In other business
Pocahontas County Day Report Director Glenn Galloway presented the program’s monthly update. In May 2016, the program had 14 participants – nine males and six females. Three of the participants were new. One participant completed the program this month, with zero terminations. Alcohol and drug screenings were conducted, and the alcohol screens saw nine negatives and zero positives. The drug screens resulted in eight negatives and one positive. Throughout May, participants completed a number of community service projects – including work at East Cass Community Park, Green Bank Public Library and McClintic Public Library.
The commission moved to adopt the amendments made to the Pocahontas County Commission Agenda Policy and Procedures, and the motion was passed unanimously. In order to remain in compliance with the West Virginia Code, agendas can only be amended by a member of the commission, and special meetings are now able to be conducted two days after the agenda has been posted, rather than the previous three-day wait. One addition was made to the procedures, as well: amendments to the commission’s agenda will no longer be accepted after 4 p.m. on the day prior to the agenda being posted.
Pocahontas County Water Task Force Coordinator Grazia Apolinares’ contract was renewed for the 2016-2017 Fiscal Year. The renewed contract will take effect July 1 and expire June 30, 2017.
In other personnel matters
The commission hired Kevin Shiflet as a full-time Pocahontas County Law Enforcement Deputy under the Emergency Clause, effective June 30. Shiflet’s employment is contingent upon the completion and passing of his Civil Service test.
The commission approved Global Science and Technology, Inc.’s Annual Courthouse Network Support agreement, as well as the three-year Comprehensive Gateway Security Suite for Sonicwall NSA 220.
Citizens National, City National, First Citizens and Pendleton Community Banks were designated as the county depositories for the 2017-2017 fiscal year.
The following appointments were made:
- Helen Clark, EMSOR representative, was appointed to the Pocahontas County Emergency Medical Services Authority for a three-year term, ending June 30, 2019.
- Seth Morgan, representative of the Shavers Fork Fire and Rescue Department, was appointed to the Pocahontas County Emergency Medical Services Authority for a three-year term, ending June 30, 2019.
- Greg Taylor, Pocahontas Memorial Hospital representative, was appointed to the Pocahontas County Emergency Medical Services Authority for a three-year term, ending June 30, 2019.
- Denise McNeel was appointed to the Pocahontas County Free Libraries Board for a five-year term, ending June 30, 2021.
The next regular County Commission meeting is scheduled for July 5, 2016 at 8:30 a.m.