By Stephen Smoot
Over the past few years and longer, the Town of Lumberport has wrestled with sewer and water issues and turning every which way to seek assistance. Last week, they got a helping hand from the Harrison County Commission.
Derlene Satterfield, Town Clerk for Lumberport, made a request for $52,000 in assistance from the Harrison County Commission. She spoke on behalf of Mayor Lexi Mayfield during the public comment period and shared that “the reason we’re requesting this grant is because our main sewage pipes are now corroded.”
She added that the Town had serious concerns that pipe failure “will flood our city.” Later in the meeting, Satterfield stated that it would only take 90 minutes to do so. Also, the backup generator for the sewage plant, a residential model, had fallen “out of commission.” The combined issues create “a health hazard, which is why we are requesting the grant.”
Harrison County had aided the Town of Lumberport in the past with its continuing issues with its sewer system. In April 2024, the Commission loaned the Town $180,000 to effect repairs. Satterfield said that “was a band-aid. Now they are corroded and in really bad shape and need replaced.”
Problems with an old and troubled system date back farther than that. In 2008, a Lumberport family filed a complaint with the West Virginia Public Service Commission. They stated that a sewage system malfunction during heavy rains forced water to back up into their basement. It ruined the work done there, as well as $10,000 in Christmas presents. The complaint stated that four trucks had come to try and stop the issue, but could not resolve it.
Satterfield requested $42,000 to cover the work estimates and $10,000 more to cover potential added costs or work order changes.
Later in the meeting, Commissioners picked up the request in an agenda item. Commissioner David Hinkle queried Satterfield about various details. He asked if the money requested “is just another short term fix or is this something we’re looking at as a long term fix?” Satterfield answered that it would be long-term.
Harrison County Commission President Susan Thomas noted “something needs to be done,” then asked “do you still have issues with your water side?” Satterfield responded that the Town had engaged with Thrasher, which would soon give three options on how best to address those problems.
Hinkle moved to provide $42,000, saying “I know it’s short of what you requested,” but that it would cover the projected cost of the project. Satterfield replied “we appreciate it.”
Harrison County Senior Center Discusses Senior Driving Safety With County Commission
By Stephen Smoot
The initial December meeting of the Harrison County Commission came with a little extra Christmas cheer as the front of the room was bedecked with lights, red bunting, and ornaments announcing the advent of the season.
Patsy Trecost, Harrison County Commissioner, delivered the invocation, which included “Father thank You for this day, I thank You for this time of year. What a true God You are to give us the seasons.”
Proceedings opened with a proclamation honoring 50 years of service from the Clarksburg Public Library. It recognized the five decades of strong community service, starting on December 9, 1975 in a “distinctly modern building” with its “enduring space dedicated to education.”
It also called the institution “a symbol of opportunity and progress.”
Next, Commissioners joined with Arc of Harrison County to commemorate the “International Day of Persons With Disabilities.” This proclamation celebrated the “dignity of work for all persons.”
After a discussion with the Town of Lumberport concerning their sewer needs, the Harrison County Senior Center’s William O’Field came to discuss the county levy.
He stated “I humbly request that there be an increase in our funding” because the rise in cost of many goods and services “impacts the senior center the same” as everyone.
O’Field shared that the Senior Center would focus on its transportation program with added funding and brought data to back his case. First, they would use funding to “speak with older residents about driving.” he added that from 2019 to 2023 329 fatal crashes had taken the lives of West Virginians 65 or older.
He then asked “what happens when seniors get their keys taken away? That’s where the senior center steps in.” Harrison County Senior Center has a fleet of seven vans, which O’Field noted “go way up into the hollers” as well as to all the towns in the county to help seniors get to their doctor appointments, shop for groceries, and remain independent.
The levy, he said, has helped the senior center to provide services over the years.
Next, Commissioners voted to table discussion of how to distribute more than $300,000 in opioid lawsuit funds to various community agencies. They wished to look at information further before making decisions.
After that, Commissioners held discussions on dilapidated properties. First, they approved a list to be officially addressed. Harrison County Administrator Laura Pysz-Laulis noted that in the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year “we have a total of 102 houses we’ve taken down.”
Hinkle then added that “we have a lot of reports from the road frontage” about unsightly and unsafe properties “but we need to take a hard look at backyards . . . visible from the trail.” Also related to tourism and aesthetics, Hinkle criticized “so-called campground, RV, whatever word you want to use” facilities that he asserted are “out of control, but I don’t know what you can do as a Commission to set up rules.”
Trey Simmerman, County Attorney, said “they pop up just outside of towns because that’s a convenient place for them to be.” Hinkle added “that’s because of water and sewer” hook ups with municipal systems, “that’s what they’re doing.” Hinkle stated that “I’ve seen a lot of it over the last five years” and said Harrison needed to see how other counties had addressed the problem.
Commissioners then agreed to look into adopting a standard of maintenance for the rail trails in the county.
