Votes at a glance: Lewis County board approves HVAC contract, grants, equipment financing and appointments

The Lewis County Board of Legislators approved a series of draft resolutions and appointments during its March 5, 2025 meeting. The votes recorded in the public meeting were recorded by voice as "aye" with no roll-call tallies reported; each item below lists the motion text as read into the record and the recorded outcome.

Train US Inc. — courthouse HVAC contract: The board authorized an agreement with Train US Incorporated to design and replace antiquated HVAC equipment for the county side of the courthouse, replacing two high-efficiency condensing boilers and hot-water heaters, with new venting and piping at a cost of $348,005. Outcome: carried.

Medical director agreement — Emergency Management: The board authorized an agreement with Timothy Mathis to serve as medical director for the Emergency Management Department for the term Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025, at a cost not to exceed $7,500. Outcome: carried.

Domestic Terrorism Prevention (DTP) grant: The board accepted a fiscal year 2023 domestic terrorism prevention grant award of $172,413 to form a DTP team and develop the DTP plan, and directed the treasurer to appropriate the funds to the proper accounts. Outcome: carried.

SHSP allocation — FY2024: The board accepted the FY2024 State Homeland Security Program allocation notification by U.S. Homeland Security and FEMA in the amount of $46,946 as outlined by the director of emergency management, and directed the treasurer to appropriate the funds. Outcome: carried.

Highway machinery fund advance (MOU): The board authorized a memorandum of understanding to advance up to $580,000 from the general fund to the county machinery fund so the Highway Department can purchase scheduled machinery and equipment in 2025; the highway superintendent agreed to repay the county with no interest in annual installments over five years. Outcome: carried.

Bridge replacement final design — Marshy Road: The board authorized and appropriated $120,000 in the capital bridge program for supplemental agreement number 3 to D040299 for final design and right-of-way acquisition for the Marshy Road bridge replacement project. Outcome: carried.

Junkyard Review Board reappointment: John G. Jones of Beaver Falls was reappointed to the Lewis County Junkyard Review Board for a five-year term retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2029. Outcome: carried.

Devlon DX100W wheeled excavator purchase-lease: The board authorized a purchase lease agreement for a Devlon DX100W wheeled excavator at a purchase price of $198,922 with a $50,000 down payment and $148,922 financed through Republic First National at an annual rate of 5.43%, payable over four years with annual installments of $42,413.16 and a one-time document fee of $299. Outcome: carried.

Committee goals and other routine business: The board adopted 2025 General Services Committee goals and accepted monthly reports as presented. Outcome: carried.

Human Services Committee appointments and executive session: The Human Services Committee approved several appointments: Carol LaSella (Community Services Board Alcohol and Substance Abuse Subcommittee) effective 03/05/2025–12/31/2026; Mary Campo (Community Services Board Developmental Disabilities Subcommittee) effective 03/05/2025–12/31/2025; Shelby Gentry (student representative, Lewis County Youth Bureau Advisory Board) effective 03/05/2025 until high school graduation or ceasing to be a full-time student; Melanie Bush (Community Services Board Mental Health Subcommittee) effective 03/01/2025–12/31/2027. The committee then voted to enter an executive session described as an attorney–client product meeting to discuss a potential termination or demotion of a board appointee; committee minutes indicate the executive session convened with staff asked to remain. Outcome: appointments carried; executive session convened (no public action reported).

Ending: Each motion was approved by voice vote during the public meeting; the record in the transcript shows "All in favor say aye" with no roll-call counts provided. Where dollar amounts, term dates, or repayment terms were read into the record, those appear exactly as read; where specifics (such as remaining balances on existing leases) were discussed by committee members, the transcript recorded only brief clarifying questions.