CORNERSTONE CEREMONY PLANNED — The Brooke County Commission announced members of the West Virginia Grand Masonic Lodge, including members of Wellsburg Lodge No. 2, A.F.&A.M., will lay the cornerstone for the county’s new ambulance station at 1 p.m. Oct. 14. The commissioners have invited the public to attend the ceremony. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — Members of the West Virginia Grand Masonic Lodge will carry on a long tradition while helping to launch a new Brooke County facility that will provide a vital service to residents.

The Brooke County Commission announced at 1 p.m. Oct. 14, members of the lodge, including members of Wellsburg Lodge No. 2, A.F.&A.M., will lay the cornerstone for the new ambulance station to be built near the intersection of Pleasant Avenue and state Route 2.

Commission President A.J. Thomas, who is a member of the local lodge, noted last year the group commemorated the construction of the judicial center currently under construction.

Adjacent to the county courthouse, the center will become home to the county’s circuit, magistrate and family court facilities; prosecutor’s office and probation department.

Ground was broken in June for a smaller project, the establishment of a central headquarters for the Brooke County Ambulance Service to replace stations used by it in Follansbee and the Marshall Terrace area near McKinleyville.

Designed by the Thrasher Corp. of Clarksburg, the one-story structure will include bays for the agency’s five ambulances, each about 12 feet wide; four living quarters, a conference and training room, two offices and a storage area for equipment.

The Waller Corp. of Washington, Pa., is the general contractor for the $2 million project.

Thomas said, as with the cornerstone for the judicial center, the stone placed for the ambulance station by the Masons will include a capsule containing various items reflecting current times in Brooke County, with local businesses invited to submit their business cards.

He said the contents are likely to include a memento of the recently completed Ohio River bridge, such as the commemorative coin commissioned and sold by the Wellsburg Chamber of Commerce; and news of recent and projected economic development.

Thomas said if the capsule is ever opened, “I would like them to say this was the time when everything started to boom again.”

He noted the capsule will be a small section of PVC pipe, built to withstand the elements if needed, and unlike time capsules, won’t be uncovered unless there should be reason to demolish or disturb the area of the building in which it’s encased.

Last year, a capsule contained in a Masonic cornerstone of Wellsburg City Hall since 1940 was unearthed when crews built a new set of steps to the building.

Contents of the metal box had become exposed to one or more floods that have covered that area of the city, but some items, including records of various businesses and civic groups at that time, were salvaged for donation to the Brooke County Museum and Cultural Center.

The addition to the Brooke County Public Library completed in 2003 also includes a cornerstone laid by the Masons.

Thomas noted the laying of cornerstones and Masonic funeral rites are the only Masonic rituals that are seen by the public.

“This is a tradition that dates back hundreds and hundreds of years. It definitely pays homage to the traditional while embracing the new,” he said.

Thomas was asked about the status of an investigation spurred by the discovery of two underground tanks, each about 4 feet wide and 20 feet long, at the ambulance station’s site.

He said earlier the two large tanks, which may have belonged to a gas station near the site, proved to be empty.

On Tuesday, Thomas said the commission awaits analysis of multiple samples of dirt taken from different areas and depths to determine whether any contamination occurred.

He said the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection will determine whether dirt near the tanks must be removed and disposed of or if it may be returned to the ground.

Thomas said either way, the commission will need to fill space previously occupied by the tanks and compact it to ensure the ground is stable for construction.

He said while the discovery has delayed work on the building, he and the other commissioners hope the exterior structure can be completed before winter so interior work can commence during the colder months.

Thomas said crews have finished removing trees along the adjacent embankment, a move designed to improve visibility for drivers approaching the intersection and are slated to replace them in the spring with crown vetch, a low-growing flowering plant that requires little maintenance.

He said it and stumps left along the bank are expected to provide a root system that will stabilize the earth there.

In other business, the commission received written notification from Sheriff Rich Beatty that Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Adams has been placed on administrative leave pending investigation of an internal matter.

The commissioners referred questions about the move to Beatty.

Beatty, who was called for comment, said, “If and when this develops into anything I can comment on, I will, but at this time, I just wish to continue the investigation.”

Adams has served for several years as chief sheriff’s deputy under Beatty and his predecessor, Larry Palmer.

He served for many years previously in the West Virginia State Police, including its Victims Against Children unit.

County Clerk Kim Barbetta announced the courthouse will be closed on Monday for Columbus Day.

The commissioners also set trick-or-treat hours for unincorporated areas of the county at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.