During the April 21 meeting of the Boone County Commission, officials approved to release the funds necessary to pay for several public works projects.

Commissioners approved the drawdown of $49,570.27 from the Appalachian Regional Commission to pay bills connected to the Pond Fork Wastewater Projects. When completed, it will provide sewage services to more than 100 homes in the Van and Wharton areas.

They also signed a grant to the Boone County Public Service District in the amount of $14,094.36 to pay Chapman Technical for services provided to the Pond Fork Project.

Officials also provided $36,730.35 to the Boone PSD to pay an invoice to Tri State Pipeline for goods provided to the Hatfield-McCoy Water Project.

The commissioners signed a letter of commitment of up to $100,000 to be earmarked for the Prenter Water Project. This letter was drafted in order to help secure state funding for the construction project’s completion.

Terry Martin, of the Regional Intergovernmental Council told commissioners that the Morrisvale/Cameo and Prenter Road projects have had applications at the Infrastructure Council. The application for a Small Cities Block Grant has been filed for the Turtle Creek Water Project.

He said the design for this project is 75% complete. The West Madison Project, which includes the replacement of sewer lines has been 65% designed.

Martin also discussed problems with a proposed water storage tank to be located at Whitesville.

He told commissioners that the estimated costs for the project is $290,000 and the average cost of bids received from several contractors is $323,000.

Martin said he is in the process of trying to secure funds for the tank if the Town of Whitesville decides to proceed. If the additional funding is received, Martin asked if commissioners would consider committing an additional $50,000.

Bill Stone, and R.B. Foster, members of the Boone Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, told commissioners last Tuesday that due to the state of the economy, the administration and staff of Boone Memorial Hospital held several meetings to decide where cutbacks could be made. Several items had been reduced and the board members assured commissioners that the hospital is able to make payroll and pay their bills.

Deputy County Administrator Pam White, reported that the commission staff had set levy amounts for the various county programs for the fiscal year beginning July 1, and ending on June 30, 2010.

The Senior Nutrition Program Levy will receive $161,917. This provides lunches to seniors at the Racine, Orgas, Spruce River, Madison/Danville and Wharton community centers. In addition, crews at these centers deliver lunches during the week to disabled or ill senior citizens at their homes.

The county’s libraries will receive $161,917. These funds are in addition to any state or federal grants they might have obtained.

The Boone County Ambulance Authority will receive $1,754,104 from levy funds. This helps provide around the clock emergency ambulance service throughout Boone County.

Volunteer Fire Departments in Madison, Danville, Spruce River, Wharton-Barrett, Van, Racine, Whitesville and Morrisvale will receive $1,403, 284 to help operate their departments.

Commissioner Eddie Hendricks, made a motion to approve a grant to the Town of Whitesville earmarked for the Big Coal River/Whitesville Area Veteran’s Memorial in the amount of $7,844.

Boone County Economic Development Office Director Larry Lodato, told commissioners that a notice to proceed had been received for the grant for the expansion of a walking trail located at WaterWays. The project will expand the trailed down around the river’s edge and will allow walkers to see canoeists and fishermen who might be using the river at the time. Lodato said the project will be spread out over a period of two years.

Commissioner Mickey Brown made a motion, which was approved, to give a grant to the West Virginia Coal Festival in the amount of $15,000 and to approve the use of the courthouse steps for opening ceremonies, scheduled for June 17th.

The large parking lot across from the courthouse will house a display of mining equipment and the large parking lot next to the Madison Volunteer Fire Department will be used to host the carnival.

Jim Browning, of the Coal River Group, informed commissioners that on May 2, the Boone County Float will be held. Also, on June 20th, the Tour De Coal is scheduled, while on August 1st, the Community Float will be held. These are all float trips held on the Big Coal River side of the county.