SLAUGHTERHOUSE DISCUSSED — After hearing of plans to build a slaughterhouse near McKim’s Ridge in Colliers, the Brooke County Commission has announced a public forum will be held on the matter at its Dec. 3 meeting. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — Plans for a slaughterhouse in the Colliers area and truck traffic from natural gas drilling operations were among matters before the Brooke County Commission on Tuesday.

After hearing of plans to build a slaughterhouse near McKim’s Ridge, the commission has called for a public forum on the matter to be held during its Dec. 3 meeting at 10:30 a.m. at the county courthouse.

Commission President A.J. Thomas said individuals for or against the facility or with questions or concerns are welcome to attend.

“We’re open to any and all positions on it,” he said.

Of the slaughterhouse, Thomas said, “That’s something the commission was completely unaware was occurring.”

He acknowledged operation of such a business is likely to raise concerns about public health or nuisances and impact on the value of neighboring properties.

The status of the facility is unclear.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced West Virginia Farm Foods has been awarded a $4 million grant to design, build and operate a slaughterhouse to process cattle from nearly 7,000 farms from across three northern West Virginia regions.

The grant was one of 10 awarded through the Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization program for projects involving the repurposing of formerly mined property for various economic development projects.

Applications for the grant program were evaluated by a committee of representatives of the West Virginia Department of Environmental protection, West Virginia Department of Commerce, West Virginia Department of Transportation and Office of Gov. Jim Justice.

Eligibility for the grant depended on the use of property on or adjacent to mine sites that ceased operations prior to the signing of the Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act of 1977.

A website for West Virginia Farm Foods states it will implement permaculture farming and ethical animal husbandry “to bridge the gap between animal life and death with as little stress and pain as possible.”

It states no part of the animals will be wasted, with guts and trimmings used to feed biogas digesters powering the facility and other parts used as fertilizer or to create tools, leather or bioplastics.

In other business, Sheriff Richard Beatty said the natural gas drilling project near Putney Ridge and Tent Church roads has been completed and all that’s left is for crews to transport equipment from the site this week.

But Beatty said he plans to meet with officials with Southwestern Energy before any future projects begin to address issues arising from related truck traffic.

He said the large trucks and smaller, escort trucks haven’t always followed posted speed limits.

The sheriff added drivers have been instructed to avoid school bus routes only for 30 minutes in the morning and afternoon when the buses are on roads beyond that.

The commissioners introduced David Holden, the county’s new compliance officer.

The position involves investigating complaints of dilapidated structures, high grass, junk cars and other trash in yards and other public nuisances.

Holden shared the addresses of several properties he will be investigating while adding he expects many more to follow.

Holden said to such property owners, he would say, “I’m here to work with you, not against you. There are resources that can help some. If you want to be against me, defiant, then we’ll go down that road.”

The commissioners announced they continue to seek volunteers to serve on the Brooke County Park and Recreation Commission, which oversees Brooke Hills Park; and the West Virginia Route 2 and 68 Authority.

The latter board was formed by the West Virginia Legislature years ago to recommend and promote areas of the two highways that may be expanded to four lanes.

The expansion of Route 2 north of Follansbee and between Short Creek and the Ohio County line are among projects they advocated.

Comprised of two representatives from each of 10 counties through which the highways run, the board meets monthly in New Martinsville.

Anyone interested in serving on either board should submit a letter of interest to the office of County Clerk Kim Barbetta for the commission’s consideration.

On Tuesday the commission appointed Sharon Malin to the Northern Panhandle Workforce Development board.