POINT PLEASANT — After months of work, construction on the steps of the Mason County Courthouse is nearly finished.

During Thursday’s Mason County Commission meeting, County Administrator John Gerlach announced that the steps themselves were complete. However, the front entrance cannot be opened until the safety handrails are installed.

According to Gerlach, the wrong kind of safety handrails were delivered earlier, which delayed the full completion of the project. However, Gerlach estimated that the courthouse’s front entrance should be open in the upcoming weeks. Construction on the steps began in August due to the former steps being uneven, which presented a safety hazard.

Grae-Con Construction, Inc., of Marietta, Ohio, was awarded the bid to do the construction portion of the project in July. The former steps, which were made of sandstone, were completely removed. Concrete was then poured and sandstone was placed on top of the concrete as an effort to preserve the look of the steps. In addition, an extra step was added to the middle landing, which made the area under the last step even with the sidewalk that leads to the street.

The project to replace the steps is being funded through a court facilities grant of $80,000.

In other business:

• Representatives from Frontier Communications and Verizon discussed the possibility of Frontier Communications buying out Verizon. The public service commission will make the decision on the Verizon sale. Rather than sign a resolution in support of or against the sale, commissioners agreed to write a letter to the PSC stating that they want what is best for Mason County.

• Commissioners approved the LEPC bylaws.

• It was reported that the courthouse Christmas luncheon will be 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18.

• Commissioners discussed the status of the main building at the Mason County Fairgrounds.

• Commissioner Rick Handley praised the Mason County Health Department for working so well with the public in regards to both H1N1 and seasonal influenza clinics.

• Commissioners agreed to cancel the Dec. 24 meeting due to the Christmas Eve holiday. The meetings in Dec. will be 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3 and 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17.

• Commissioners expressed gratitude to all area veterans.

• The meeting adjourned at 4:52 p.m.

The next meeting will be 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3.