Wood County Historical and Preservation Society updates county officials on efforts at cemeteries
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PARKERSBURG -- The Wood County Historical and Preservation Society is using money provided by the Wood County Commission to care for local cemeteries, both known and recently rediscovered, its president said.
Historical society President Bob Enoch appeared before the commission Monday to give an update on their efforts.
In 2022, the historical society received $100,000 funding from the county to do work at a number of local cemeteries, including buying equipment and more.
Work was done at around a dozen cemeteries with some having signs added to mark where they are and historical details. Many of the cemeteries have been deemed as "forgotten" that dot the countryside throughout Wood County, most of which have been unkempt until this project began.
"It is a long overdue service," Enoch said.
Many cemeteries date back to the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Enoch felt many people have been supportive of the action to help preserve local history.
Local officials have documented and mapped around 350 cemeteries around the area and put them on the county website. Officials said there only has to have been one burial to be considered a cemetery.
"The money has been spent and invested wisely," Enoch said of buying equipment, including a truck and till, and more.
The balance of the cemetery account will remain high so their Board of Directors approved investing a portion of that money in certificates of deposit, Enoch said. They have a couple that will mature during this year, providing additional money to help them do their work.
"We felt it would be a lot better to go out and earn some money rather than let it sit there doing nothing," Enoch said.
The challenge has been finding people to do the work. A few are being maintained by historical society members who do not accept payment for their work. Those hired to do the work are paid $12 an hour. Others who have traditionally been tending to these sites have been provided with some compensation for their efforts in hopes they will be able to continue.
Commissioner Jimmy Colombo said many people have a sense of pride in being able to care for these properties.
"Our community does care," he said.
Many cemeteries date back to the late 1800s to the early 1900s.
"Overall there is a lot of work being done and a lot of people doing work," Enoch said, adding he is expecting more to come forward to help.
Commission President Blair Couch said the county can help replenish their funds, if needed.
"Right now, our funds are good for a few years," Enoch said.
In other business, Dana Tackett of the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council informed the commission they have received over $1.6 million for the Hill Avenue sewer project from the West Virginia Governor's Office. The area is near Fort Boreman Hill and Marrtown Road and work has been done with the Parkersburg Utility Board to extend sewer service to both Hill Avenue and Marrtown Road.
Requests for service are related in part to enforcement actions by the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department regarding failing septic systems. Tackett did not know exactly how many homes will be connected through this project. Early estimates had around 25 new customers added with the Hill Avenue project.
"It has been a long time coming for these folks,"Couch said.
Colombo praised the project as well as it allows for future expansion of service.
"It will if anyone else wants to hook into that," he said.
The commission also opened bids for new phone systems for both the Wood County Courthouse and the Wood County 911 Center. The bids are being reviewed by Wood County Administrator Marty Seufer, Wood County Information Technology Chris Whittaker and Wood County 911 Director Mike Shook.
Seufer said this was a case where they just couldn't just accept the lowest bid. Officials will need time to review the bids and sort out what each one covers as well as technical specs and more for each proposal.
Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com