Tyler County Sheriff Bob Kendle attended the commission meeting on Tuesday morning to discuss the possibility of hiring an additional patrolman to cover the town of Middlebourne.

“We need more help. The deputies that we have now are very experienced but they are working 24/7 and it is only going to get worse”, Kendle said.

Kendle also stated that during the court proceedings, the county typically has two to three deputies for security and there have been a lot of hours spent in the courtroom.

President “Pork” Smith said that they will take this into serious consideration. Commissioner Robert Wable asked Kendle to present a budget request outlining the cost of a new hire.

Melody Reed attended the meeting to discuss a $5 fee for Teen Court.

According to Reed, they have received $2,100 in grant money from the West Virginia Teen Court Association. The money received from the $5 fee would be collected from any felony, misdemeanor or parking violations from Magistrate and Circuit Courts and will be placed in the account to go towards aiding with teen court.

Reed informed the commissioners that 17 counties in West Virginia have already adopted the additional $5 fee and it was reported to be a successful venture. She also stated that if the program does not succeed, the county commission would get the money.

The County Commission voted to adopt the additional $5 fee.

In another matters, Reed also informed the commission that with the help of Tyler County Sheriff’s office, a prescription drug lock-up campaign will be held at the Senior Center. The seminar will inform the elderly to lock up their prescriptions drugs and out of the hands of children.

They will spend two days in Middlebourne and two days in Sistersville.

Wable informed the members that Tara Shreves has offered to donate six acres of land on Oil Ridge Road for a Humane Society. According to wable, the land is located in a remote area above 7th Avenue in Sistersville.

The commission agreed to take a look at the property.

The next meeting will be held at 9 a.m. on Jan. 12.