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WELLSBURG -- Plans to raze two buildings in the 600 block of Charles Street have moved forward, with the Brooke County Commission accepting the lowest of two bids submitted for the job.
On Tuesday the commissioners accepted the bid of $63,445 from Keith Yost Excavating of Wellsburg, saying the demolition won't occur until floor tile containing asbestos is removed from the former home of Aracich Heating and Cooling.
The business has moved to state Route 2.
The commission bought the building and an adjacent one also owned by Aracich for $10,000 with the intention of creating additional parking space for the county courthouse.
In other business, the commission supported an application by the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission for a federal grant to pursue the extension of broadband Internet service to unserved areas of Brooke and Hancock counties.
The grant requires no local match but the Brooke and Hancock county commissions have agreed to provide $5,000 each to BHJ for administrative costs in applying for it.
The planning commission had secured a $125,000 federal Community Development Block Grant for a study demonstrating the need for high-speed Internet service in the two counties.
The study included a survey gaging the general public's demand for the service and input from emergency departments, hospitals, colleges, businesses and others that would benefit from it.
County Commissioner A.J. Thomas said providers considering extending into unserved areas will consider first larger businesses and other institutions that could be served by them and their participation will help to make broadband available to smaller neighbors.
Also on Tuesday:
– Commission President Tim Ennis thanked voters for their support of the county's new 911 levy.
Approved by 62.8 percent of voters, a total of 3,702, the levy is expected to raise $570,296 per year for four years for the operation of and improvement to the county's emergency 911 center.
In related business, County Commissioner Stacey Wise thanked voters for supporting her bid for re-election. Wise said she's pleased with the community's support and looks forward to continuing to work with her fellow commissioners and other county officials and employees to serve and improve the county.
"We have a good team," she said.
– The commissioners announced that following the resignation of Dave McGowan from the Hammond Public Service District board, they will be accepting of letters of interest in the seat. They should be sent to the office of County Clerk Kim Barbetta.