Commission hears Putnam, Cabell counties water project assistance request

“Historically, the first mile and a half of Benedict Road, which is down in the bottom, has had access to public water through Culloden Public Service District and its successor, West Virginia American Water Company. But there never was any impetus to bring water up on the ridge, which is where the road goes for the remainder of its course,� Greg said.

“Until about five years ago, the city of Hurricane began to extend out its facilities along Sovine Road to where it intersects with Benedict, and it has proceeded with that work over the last several years to where it has now reached the three mile mark, and it’s brought in about a dozen to 15 more families along that course that did not previously have access to city water,� he continued.

There are still two miles containing 12 homes and 27 people remaining to be served with a continuation of the project, Greg said. Four of those homes are in Cabell County, with eight located in Putnam. Approximately 12,500 feet of 4-inch pipe still needs to be laid in order to complete the project, with 57% of that footage going to Cabell and 43% to Putnam.

“However, you have to complete the Cabell County portion first in order to be able to complete the whole project in Putnam County,� Greg said. “We have appeared previously in front of the Cabell County Commission telling them that we were going to ask for assistance in offsetting defraying the cost of the materials.�

According to Greg, the city of Hurricane has indicated it is committed to completing this project and will perform the labor but is in need of help with the materials cost, which amounts to approximately $87,350. Greg said they are seeking an even split of financial support between Cabell and Putnam counties for materials.

“We would appreciate any assistance that you can give us,� Greg said. “I’ve been living up there 50 years and been doing with cisterns up until now. But it’d be nice to get some city water for all the folks.�

Commissioner Brian Ellis told Greg that with city water comes increased development in the area.

“We’re going to try to balance them out and get the best of both worlds,� Greg said. “Hopefully we already know that we’re going to have development coming. We have an interchange going in on I-64 on Benedict Road. So development is inevitable, and getting the infrastructure out there ahead of the development is going to be beneficial, I think, for everybody involved.�

Greg said the Cabell County Commission was supportive, and representatives will work on developing a grant application. Commission President Andy Skidmore said they would be in touch.

Local elections

Commissioners approved an election notice to notify the public of midterm redistricting during Tuesday’s meeting.

This is a result of Senate Bill 50 being signed into law, requiring that by 2032, all municipalities hold elections on the same day as statewide elections, according to County Clerk Brian Wood.

The notice states the public should be advised that on Aug. 26, the Putnam County Commission will consider entering an order to change the magisterial districts and precincts and polling place locations with regard to the magisterial districts. There will be two commission meetings before Aug. 26 for the public to attend and have an opportunity to ask questions and address commissioners about their concerns regarding these changes.

These magisterial districts would mirror House of Delegates districts, with some slight differences. Maps will be available in the county clerk’s office.

“It’s easier to explain to people what district they’re in, who they’re supposed to be voting for, different things like that,� Wood said.

Other business

In other business, the commission approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Victims of Crime Act grant application for the county prosecutor’s office, presented by Marian Smith, director of victim services.

“This year, I’m asking for an increase of $5,300 from last year’s grant award,� Smith said. “We’re going to purchase a department cell phone and possibly try to get our advocates, myself and my other advocate, up to state averages.�

The commission also approved the FY26 VOCA grant through the sheriff’s department, requesting $36,028 to go toward the law enforcement-based victim advocate’s salary for the upcoming year.

Additionally, commissioners approved a text amendment to an article within the zoning ordinance for the zoned unincorporated areas of Putnam County concerning special permit uses within the C-2 high density commercial district to include laydown yards, presented by county planner David Coll.

Laydown yards are designated staging areas where large and industrial tools, materials, products, equipment and vehicles may be temporarily stored when not in use. A laydown yard may include storage buildings, repair service and maintenance of large and industrial tools, equipment and related articles.

“This definition was added to the ordinance in March of this year, and this use is a permitted principal use in an I-1 light industrial district but this text amendment is to allow it as a special permit use in a C-2,� Coll said.

The county planning commission unanimously approved the amendment to go before the commission last month, according to Ellis, who also sits on the planning commission.

“That’s why I feel strongly that we can go ahead and pass these, just to kind of simplify,� Ellis said.