POINT PLEASANT — The Mason County Commission has granted the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection right-0f-way access to close old coal mine portals in West Columbia.

Commissioners Bob Baird and Miles Epling voted to allow personnel with WVDEP to complete this work by giving them permission to access the ball field at West Columbia. The access is needed to properly reclaim two mine mortals and construct drainage channels on an adjacent landowner. Upon completion of the work, the chain link will be reinstalled and all disturbed areas will be regraded, seeded and mulched.

County Administrator John Gerlach announced there would be status meetings on the renovation of the old Point Pleasant Hardware building held every two weeks, starting at 11 a.m., Dec. 4. Gerlach also said in the back floor of the building, a hydraulic lift was discovered which means oil was used. This means there needs to be testing for oil leaks, there is also going to be testing of asbestos in the surrounding flooring. In all, Gerlach said this extra work is estimated to cost $12,000.

However, it appears the exterior renovation going on at the home of the new sheriff’s department isn’t going to be as extensive as previously thought, Gerlach said. He explained workers discovered they may not have to tear into the roof because of the building’s underlayment being in better shape than anticipated. Gerlach said this means the price on the work should be significantly adjusted, enough to pay for the unexpected $12,000 worth of testing.

Commissioners asked Gerlach to send a letter to the Mason County Public Service District asking why it has not filed the paperwork which will transfer the Rolling Acres area sewage system on Sandhill Rd. from a private owner to the PSD. This measure was approved by the W.Va. Public Service Commission.

Commissioners accepted a letter of resignation from Bob Powers from the Civil Service Commission, effective Dec. 1. Powers resigned due to his son, Greg, being elected as Mason County Sheriff. Attorney R.F. Stein also recently resigned which means there are two vacancies on the civil service commission. County Clerk Diana Cromley said there are three appointees, one appointed by the commission, one by the deputy’s association and one from the Mason County Bar Association. Greg Roush remains on the civil service commission.

Commissioners signed off on the completed election canvas as presented by Cromley.

Commissioners agreed to appoint Craig Tatterson, the newly elected prosecuting attorney, as assistant prosecuting attorney from Dec. 17-Dec. 31.

The commission received a letter from the Our Community’s Foundation, expressing gratitude for the commission’s $5,000 donation to its grants program. This year it was presented in honor of the service of outgoing Commissioner Baird.

The courthouse Christmas party is at noon, Dec. 21 with the building closing at 2 p.m. that day. The courthouse will also be closed Dec. 24-25, reopening on Dec. 26.

The commission wished the Wahama White Falcon Football Team good luck on its bid for a state championship this weekend.

Commissioners Epling and Baird were present for Thursday’s regular meeting.