Brooke commissioners get updated on sewer, trail efforts
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WELLSBURG -- On Tuesday the Brooke County Commission received updates on efforts to repair a slip along the Brooke County Pioneer Trail and extend sewer lines to unserved areas of the county.
Barb Zimnox and Craig Brown, community development specialists for the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission, were on hand to share news of the two projects.
Zimnox said Thrasher Engineering of Clarksburg has completed designs for repairs to a slip at the south end of the trail that also had raised concerns about state Route 2 above it.
Pending approval by state officials, a contractor will be sought for the project in the near future.
The $112,000 cost for engineering will be paid with state money and funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the latter because the slip was linked to flooding.
FEMA has awarded $2.2 million for the project.
Zimnox said the engineering firm also has completed a plan determining the cost feasibility of extending sewer lines to unserved areas of unincorporated areas of the county.
The Brooke County Public Service District board is slated to review the plan in the near future.
Funded with $50,000 from the county commission and $50,000 from the U.S. Economic Development Authority, the plan is intended to aid the board in pursuing funds for future projects.
Also on Tuesday:
¯ The commission announced the courthouse will be closed Friday in observance of Independence Day.
¯ Ruby Greathouse noted the county's planning commission has been inactive for some months and is due to review the comprehensive development plan it completed in 2013 with staff at West Virginia University.
County Commissioner A.J. Thomas said before reviving the volunteer group, he would like to explore reducing its membership from 10 people.
¯ Christina Alexander, director of the county's emergency 911 center, asked the commission's policy on staff taking vacations to areas declared hot spots for the coronavirus.
Thomas said staff should follow recommendations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control when planning such trips. He noted the county health department recommends testing for the virus within 3 to 5 days after returning and said until those staff members have tested negative for it, they should wear masks to prevent themselves from potentially contaminating others.
¯ The commission agreed to accept, for two weeks, letters of interest in two seats on the volunteer board of the Brooke County Museum and Cultural Center. They should be sent to the office of Brooke County Clerk Kim Barbetta at the county courthouse.