Commissioners Appoint Ed Riley’s Replacement on Solid Waste Authority

At the April 7^th Pocahontas County Commission Meeting, the commissioners reviewed 4 resumes sent to them by candidates desiring to be appointed by the commission to fill the seat of Ed Riley, who resigned, on the Pocahontas County Solid Waste Authority. At their last meeting, the commissioners had agreed to post a notice in the media for candidates interested in the appointment to send application letters, listing their qualifications, to the County Clerk’s Office by Friday, April 3^rd. The 4 responding to this were: Angela Fisher, Nancy Harris, John Leyzorek and Darrell Roach. After reviewing these letters, the commissioners decided to base their choice on the amount of related experience and so, unanimously passed a motion to appoint Darrell Roach to the Solid Waste Authority (SWA.) He was picked because of his 22 years of experience working for the Prince William County, Virginia Water and Sewer Department. Commission President John Rebinski encouraged the other candidates not selected to contact the WV Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) about possibly being their selection to fill the remaining vacancy on the SWA. That 5-member board is made up of 2 appointees by the County Commission, 1 by the DEP, 1 by the WV Public Service Commission and 1 by WV Soil Conservation. The one being filled by Darrell Roach is replacing Ed Riley, who was a County Commission appointee with a term expiring on June 30, 2028., while the remaining vacant position is a DEP appointed one.

Also at the meeting, Janet McNeal addressed the commission during their public input period, expressing concerns about whether the Solid Waste Authority members need to take an oath of office or not, and about the lack of ambulance service being based in Hillsboro since the Hillsboro VFD closed down their ambulance service. Regarding the SWA’s oath of office, it was explained to her that while they are not sure if it is required of SWA members, the commission does have their appointees take one, but they don’t know if the other appointing state agencies have their appointees take oaths, but they will have the their attorney -the County Prosecutor- research this. Regarding Ambulance Service, Rebinski explained that the County Ambulance Service provides evening service to south county Monday through Sunday, and is based in Marlinton, while the Marlinton VFD provides daytime service, with the PMH ambulance also responding when available. Savanah Lambert sent a letter which was read, in which she also questioned the need for SWA members to take an oath of office.

Steve Snyder, a Field Representative for WV Secretary of State Kris Warner, introduced himself to the commissioners. He said that he represents 13 counties, including Pocahontas, and lives in Rainell. He offered to support Pocahontas County with any needs they may have from the Secretary of State’s Office.

They agreed to enter into a cost sharing agreement with the Town of Marlinton to pay $15,000. Which is about half the cost of replacing the dilapidated gazebo and landscaping on the county-owned park in downtown Marlinton.

At Sheriff McCoy’s request, they approved the hiring of Travis Michael Cook to be full-time

Corrections / Security employee.

Additionally, the commissioners approved:

• To move forward with the asbestos abatement in the Tannery Office building in Frank, even though it may require that windows be removed and not replaced. They did this since the building, along with others at the tannery site, will hopefully be abolished when their $250,000 demolition grant is approved.
• To pay PMH HVAC Project Resolution #14 in the amount of $1,882.13, which is the final administrative bill from Region 4, and also the final bill for the now completed project. They also approved the final project report.
• To pay the PMH Wastewater Treatment Plant Project’s Resolution #2 in the amount of $17,306.75 to pay engineering invoices, tree removal, and Department of Health permits.
• The annual inspection agreement with Securitech for the fire alarm inspection for the courthouse complex.
• Authorized Animal Control to obtain estimates to replace three doors there.
• Placing a personnel issue concerning complaints of county employees making inappropriate responses onto the next meeting agenda. The sheriff received these complaints which do not involve any of his employees and passed them on to the commissioners.

The commissioners then approved invoices and adjourned the meeting.