Wetzel County Commission met on April 23 with representatives of the employees from the Wetzel County Landfill once again topping the agenda.

Adam Finley and Dan Yoho asked the commission if there was any news to report on whether the Public Service Commission had responded to the request from Lackawanna Transport Company (based in Pennsylvania but licensed to do business in West Virginia) for a rate increase at the landfill, which would enable a pay raise for the landfill employees, according to Lackawanna representatives.

Commissioners said they had no real authority to effect any change except in lobbying. Reportedly the PSC said there was a backlog of cases and that there was no specific reason for a delay in the decision. Finley then asked if the commission would write to PSC attorney Paul Stewart asking for an immediate decision on the rate increase to impress upon them the urgency of the matter. The commissioners agreed to draft the letter.

Finley asked, “Do you have a problem with us coming back here every week?”

President Barbara King said, “No, of course not. That’s what we’re here for.”

Commission vice-president Don Mason added, “We’ll do what we can.”

New Martinsville Fire Chief Larry Couch came before the commission to seek a remedy for increased fire department costs. He presented various data to the commissioners, including the fact that in Wetzel County’s 1,846 square miles and for its 17,000 people there are 11 fire departments, all manned by volunteers. New Martinsville alone answered 390 calls last year. He explained costs to keep the fire and emergency medical services functioning have skyrocketed, especially the fuel costs. “We’re all in this together,” he said referring to how the fire and EMS departments assist each other and how Wetzel County gives mutual support to seven other counties and to two other states.

He continued that energy costs such as keeping the fire and emergency buildings heated have “gone through the roof.” The increased costs have meant across-the-board equipment, tools, trucks, personal protective equipment—virtually everything—have all sapped the surplus out of departmental budgets. “It’s been quite some time since the county commission has given to the fire department,” he said, naming a list of counties who get regular contributions from their county governments.

“We are a poor county,” Couch continued, “but we must give top performance. The citizens expect it.”

Couch appealed to the commissioners to consider what form of assistance they could offer the already burdened fire and emergency departments before they get in “dire straights.” “It’s never a good time to ask for money, but we are in danger of losing departments and services in the county. It’s not a threat—it’s a reality.”

Couch then presented the commissioners with pages of detailed financial statistics and possible solutions to the problems. The commissioners listened attentively and said they would review all the data and address Couch’s suggestions and concerns at a future date.

The commission meets each Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the commission offices next to the courthouse. Call the County Clerk’s office to be put on the commission agenda.