BUCKHANNON – The Upshur County Commission approved a new contract to help with an upcoming timber sale at the Upshur County Youth Camp during their regular meeting Thursday.

Craig Presar, Upshur County Youth Camp Board Vice-President, submitted the request for permission to contract Chris Cartwright (DBA TLM Management, LLC) to assist with preparation of the upcoming timber sale on the Selbyville Youth Camp property. The fee will be 5 percent of the timber sale value.

“Just as a recap, the youth camp asked to contract their timber previously, and they’re now ready to go ahead and go back out to bid again,” county administrator Carrie Wallace said. “The 5 percent is market standard; that’s the same amount that you compensate Nate Kennedy for his services.”

Commissioner Sam Nolte moved to approve the request and commissioner Terry Cutright seconded the motion, which passed.

The commission also looked over the proclamation from Governor Jim Justice declaring Juneteenth an official state holiday. Justice declared June 19 an official state holiday last week, with state employees observing the holiday on Friday, June 18.

County employees also got the day off. Nolte explained that the commission had added a provision at the beginning of the year that any state holidays declared by the governor would automatically also be a holiday for Upshur County employees.

Commission president Kristie Tenney asked if the Juneteenth holiday will be observed in the future.

“We had the same question; I am not sure,” Wallace said. “We’ll find out in December when the governor sets his legal holidays for the following calendar year.”

In other Upshur County Commission news:

• The commission approved a correspondence from Mike Donato requesting to be appointed to the Buckhannon-Upshur Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for term from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023.

• The commission approved and signed a sales order and related documents between KOMAX Business Systems and the Upshur County Commission for a color copier to be located in the sheriff’s department. This lease will be for a 36-month period in the amount of $127.67 per month.