The Tuesday, September 30th, Putnam County Commission meeting was unusual in that it featured two executive session meetings. The first session of 52 minutes was devoted to the conduct of Board interviews. During the second session of 30 minutes, the commission met to discuss the possible purchase, sale or lease of property. The two sessions were separated by about 55 minutes which consisted of regular business and public comment.
Following the first executive session, the commission appointed James Dodrill to the Central WV Regional Airport Authority; Kristen Kelley to the Parks and Recreation Board; Andrea Schirtzinger, Tiffany Skaggs, and Ted Diaz to the Animal Shelter Board; Kathy Goldizen to the Putnam County PSD Board; and Commissioner Doug Pearson to the Parks and Recreation Board.
During public comment Gary Young presented the commission a copy of a letter which the Common Sense and Widening Teays Valley Road Committee submitted to the DOH, requesting an additional stakeholders meeting. Young stated that the YMCA and Superintendent of Schools have issued letters of opposition to the proposed widening plan. Young also requested that the commission issue a letter of support for a new stakeholders meeting with the DOH.
Ellen Mills Pauley also addressed the commission concerning the Teays Valley Road widening. Pauley said that the Environmental Impact Statements which determine project design are often incorrect but are not challenged, resulting in a misuse of taxpayer dollars. She also stated that she was opposed to the roundabouts that DOH has proposed.
In an unrelated issue, attorney Gay Elmore cautioned the commission against consideration of a request by the Putnam County Gun Club to institute condemnation and forced sale of proceedings of property which the Gun Club has damaged by errant bullets. Elmore is seeking a settlement from the Gun Club’s insurer for property damage.
In other business, the commission approved a funding request of one thousand dollars from Kathy Talley for the Putnam Master Gardners’ Hootenanny.
The commission approved changes to the county’s towing policy. County Attorney Larry Frye stated that the policy changes reflect input from law enforcement, current providers, OES, EMS, and the Fire Service Board. The stipulation that a towing service provider having operated in Putnam County for one year remains unchanged.
The commission also approved a rezoning request from Mark and Sarah Drennan to rezone three parcels from Rural Residential to Mixed Residential. The property consists of nearly 30 acres with a 594-foot frontage on State Route 817. The Putnam County Planning Commission had unanimously recommended approval of the request.
The commission next meets on Tuesday, October 14.
