Vote canvass could be anything but routine
WELLSBURG -- The Brooke County Commission made plans to meet at 9 a.m. next Monday to canvass ballots from today's general election.
Normally a routine measure, it was a matter the commissioners gave additional consideration because of the large number of absentee ballots and the potential for many provisional ballots anticipated at this time.
County Clerk Kim Barbetta said of the county's 19,165 registered voters, about 2,700 had participated in early voting. That included 1,595 voters who returned absentee ballots out of the 1,833 which had been requested.
Barbetta said the ballots may be counted next Monday if they are postmarked with today's date, while noting mail to the courthouse often doesn't arrive until late afternoon.
The commissioners acknowledged that could mean extending the canvass to Nov. 10.
They noted a larger than normal number of absentee ballots cast in the primary election resulted in a canvass of more than 12 hours in June.
It included about 80 absentee ballots received after the election.
They were among 3,563 absentee ballots cast, compared to 2,430 voters who went to the polls on the day of the primary election.
A total of 279 voters participated in early voting then at a time when the election had been delayed by almost a month by concerns raised by the pandemic.
Despite questions about the volume of absentee ballots that may be received after Election Day, Barbetta said those submitted up to then will be counted with others Tuesday night.
She said new election equipment acquired in recent months by the county is capable of counting up to 500 ballots per minute.
The commissioners also shared comments from a voter who wrote to compliment Barbetta and her staff and the new equipment for a smooth voting experience.
In other business, the commissioners:
¯ Agreed to hold a public meeting during its Dec. 29 meeting at 10:30 a.m. to accept comment on the proposed closing of Westview Boulevard near Archer Hill Road.
Last week attorney Michael Gaudio petitioned the commission for the closing on behalf of residents there.
He noted the street exists only on maps, with nearby property owners occasionally mowing the grassy area where it's been designated.
Gaudio said he must notify other affected property owners and allow them time to respond.
¯ Following the meeting, announced they plan to hire an investigator of dilapidated structures and illegal dumping, a part-time position held by Anthony "Butch" Rotellini until his resignation earlier this year.
"Hopefully we'll have someone soon," said Commission President Tim Ennis.
Prior to the meeting they received an informal complaint from a resident of junk accumulated in a neighboring property.
A county ordinanace adopted in 2005 allows complaints to be filed against property owners for accumulation of debris, dilapidation, overgrown vegetation, fire hazard, toxic condition, accident/injury hazard or lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities as well as "other conditions which cause the dwelling or building to be unsafe, unsanitary, dangerous or detrimental to public safety and welfare."
Under it, a property owner who fails to address a complaint found by the commission to be valid "within a reasonable time" may be fined $100 per day.
Years ago the Brooke County Sheriff's Department assigned a deputy with investigating illegal salvage yards and that officer could write citations for such violations.
Asked whether a deputy could serve in that capacity again, the commissioners said they could approach whichever sheriff's candidate is winner of today's election about the matter.
But County Commissioner A.J. Thomas said they also are pursuing other avenues, including the possible involvement of state agencies, to address such problems.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)