EMPTY — The Brooke County Commission seat formerly held by A.J. Thomas could be filled soon county officials said during Tuesday’s meeting. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — The Brooke County Commission indicated the seat formerly held by A.J. Thomas could be filled soon at Tuesday’s regular meeting, when it also heard from a group aimed at preventing larger trucks from being permitted on roads.

Asked when they may fill the seat held by Thomas, who departed last month after announcing his impending resignation in September, County Commissioner Stacey Wise said she and fellow Commissioner Tom Diserio have interviewed two of four applicants, with the others to follow.

Diserio told those attending Tuesday’s meeting, “I anticipate some action next Tuesday.”

The commission’s next meeting is slated for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Under state code, the commission must fill Thomas’ seat with a Republican living in the Follansbee Magisterial District, as Thomas was, within 30 days of his last day in office.

Since he announced his resignation, the commission received letters of interest from Hooverson Heights Fire Chief Rob Carroll; Joe Ewusiak, a leader of local business Ewusiak Development; former Follansbee Councilman and park director Tom Ludewig; and Christina White, director of the county’s emergency 911 center.

The person chosen by the commission will serve the remainder of this year.

Any political party may nominate an individual to run for the commission seat in the Nov. 3 general election. Because Thomas’ last day in office followed the filing period for candidates in the May 12 primary election, the seat won’t be on ballots then.

In related business, the commissioners said they have begun interviews for the next 911 director while continuing to work on the budget for the next fiscal year, which must be submitted to the state at the end of the month.

On Tuesday, the commissioners heard from Aidan Horgan, regional director of the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks, a national nonprofit group pushing against federal legislation that would allow the weight limit for tractor trailers to be raised from the current 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds.

Horgan shared information that stated large shipping companies are pushing federal lawmakers to allow double trailer trucks that are 10 feet longer than twin trailers currently on some roads and 17 feet longer than standard single trailer trucks.

He said the larger trucks present a safety hazard because heavier trucks were found in a U.S. Department of Transportation study to have 47 percent to 400 percent higher crash rates, while noting twin-trailer trucks require 22 feet more than standard tractor trailers to stop.

Horgan said the heavier trucks also would create more damage to roadways, including bridges, adding 1,490 West Virginia bridges have been rated poor by the Federal Highway Administration.

Proponents for larger trucks have argued they would make shipping more efficient and reduce fuel consumption and pollution.

Horgan left a resolution of support for the group’s effort for the commission’s consideration.

Also on Tuesday:

• The commission authorized Mike Bolen, director of the county’s health department, to discuss with members of the Hancock County Local Emergency Planning Commission the possibility of that group merging with Brooke County’s own LEPC, which currently is inactive.

Bolen noted the two groups have merged in the past, largely because some of their focus is on preparing firefighters, medical personnel and others for emergencies involving local industries, many of which border the two counties or may be assisted by first responders in both counties.

He noted the Hancock County LEPC currently meets at Weirton Medical Center, which is in Brooke County.

Bolen said both counties currently are involved in a commodity flow study, which will show the types of materials that are transported through them on a regular basis.

Diserio, who also is a local firefighter, supported the idea of a merger, saying it would allow emergency departments to pool their resources while supporting existing mutual aid agreements between them.

• The commission agreed to provide a letter of support for the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau’s efforts to secure funding for a 34,160 square foot conference center that could be built in the Park Drive area of Weirton.

In a letter to the commission, CVB Director Rachel Keeney said the center could host many business conferences and special events that would promote tourism.

The commission approved the $214,450 purchase of a 2026 model ambulance from Penn Care Inc. of Niles, Ohio.

• Greg Moore, the county’s emergency management director, and others voiced praise for the county’s volunteer firefighters and others who responded to brush fires and downed power lines, trees and other damages wrought by Friday’s strong winds.

“They did a tremendous job out there,” he said.

Mike Loborec, deputy emergency management director, said crews with Mon Power also should be applauded for their quick response, reducing the number of outages from at least 9,000 to about 85 through the weekend.

Diserio agreed, noting parking lots of churches along state Route 27 were occupied by utility bucket trucks dispatched to the road, among others, on Saturday and Sunday.