Brooke Commission supports WMC grant application
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WELLSBURG -- The Brooke County Commission agreed Tuesday to provide a letter of support for Weirton Medical Center's application for a federal grant to expand its emergency room.
Officials with the hospital have announced plans to apply for a grant from the federal Health Resources and Service Administration to support improvements to its emergency department, adding they have approached U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., for assistance.
WMC Chief Executive Officer John Frankovitch said the federal grant is needed to complete the final phase of a major expansion to the hospital.
Supported by the sale of $6.4 million in bonds and other funds, earlier phases included a new lab on the medical office's third floor, with the latest equipment for microbiology, hematology, pathology and blood storage and an expanded pneumatic delivery system to transport lab samples between inpatient care units, it and other areas.
A new gastroenterology center also is in development.
The commission also agreed to extend the deadline for bids for a metal detector and x-ray machine for the county's judicial center because the courthouse's opening Tuesday was delayed by a power outage.
The deadline was extended to 10 a.m. Dec. 5.
In related business, the commissioners approved the hiring of Harold Beatty and George Zapotoczny as part-time security guards/bailiffs to serve in the judicial center and the current courthouse.
They are expected to fill a third such position at a future meeting.
In recent weeks, the commissioners have stated the judicial center's opening isn't expected until after Jan. 1, following the transfer of records and other materials for the courts and related agencies to be housed there.
It was noted the magistrate court is under the jurisdiction of the state Supreme Court, which will oversee its relocation.
The new building also will be occupied by the first judicial circuit and family courts, prosecutor's office and probation department.
Commission President A.J. Thomas noted the county courthouse was one of many Wellsburg structures left without power on Tuesday following two outages that were unconnected.
County Commissioner Tom Diserio said the first occurred Monday night at a substation near 24th Street in Wellsburg's north end, while the other, on Tuesday morning, originated from a downed line linked to the 12th Street substation at the south end.
He said in light of the frigid temperature, the county's emergency officials worked quickly to establish a warming station while crews with MonPower worked to restore electricity.
Diserio said while both outages were relatively short-lived, it was a good reminder to look after family members and neighbors who are more at risk under such conditions.
The commissioners also accepted the resignation of April Eltringham from the Brooke Hills Park board, for which she chaired its fundraising committee; and received a letter of interest from Jennifer Cross in being reappointed to the county's health board.
In keeping with their policy for such volunteer boards, they agreed to accept letters of interest in the two seats and other seats on the park board that are set to expire at the end of the year.