KINGWOOD — The Solid Waste Board could have a check from the State Treasurers Office by April 1. The money, somewhere between $40,000 to $50,000 was being held as unclaimed property by the state.
“I received a call from the State Treasurer’s Office Wednesday. I was asked to verify our address and email a copy of a1099,” Don Smith, who represents the Preston County Commission on the board, said.
“I didn’t even ask how much the check would be for, ” Smith said. “I was too excited. If we don’t receive it by the first of April, I’m supposed to call.”
At an earlier meeting, Smith said in an attempt to have the funds released he tried seven different addresses dating back as far as 1999. None of them were accepted. He said the board will have future grants and funds direct-deposited into its account.
“This will prevent something like this from happening again,” he said.
Smith said he would do a press release once the board received the check.
He said he was working on a Solid Waste Management Board Grant for 2020, and could apply for up to $25,000. Money from the grant will be used to purchase a trailer for Litter Control, trash and compost bags and big bottle recyclers. Smith said the big bottles could be placed at the pool, the civic center, and the 4H camp. He said he would also like to get three stream recycling centers to be placed at parks around the county.
Amanda Pitzer, director of Friends of the Cheat, asked the board to consider purchasing 15 sets of three Zero Waste Stations. One would be used for composting, one for recycling and one for trash.
“We could store them and they could be used by other events,” she said. Pitzer said vendors at Friends of the Cheat are required to use compostable dishes and silverware. The compost is sent to WVU.
Smith tabled the request until the next meeting.
“I want to wait until a few more board members are present before we make a decision,” he said.
Litter Control Officer Jay Sowers said he ordered vests to be used by inmates. Inmates sentenced to community service hours will wear the vests when helping gather litter.
“They will have Preston County Community Corrections printed on them,” he said.
