Commission briefs

Sheriff’s Office gets approval for interview room video recording system

The Mason County commissioners approved the purchase of a new interview room video recording system for the Mason County Sheriff’s Office at Tuesday’s meeting.

According to the information packet, House Bill 1223 was passed during the 2021 legislative session and takes effect. Jan. 1, which requires recordings to be made for most interviews.

The current equipment at the Sheriff’s Office was purchased in 2013 and needed to be replaced. The office recently purchased body and vehicle cameras from Getac, Inc., which includes the software to process the recordings and the proposed system would integrate with the already purchased software.

Money to pay for the system will be from the Senate Bill 5092 funds which will be transferred during the December budget supplemental. The county’s population relates to the amount of money distributed in the bill, which is $255,893 for Mason County. The total for the equipment, according to a quote from Rugged Development, is $33,973.

County seeking public comment for comprehensive parks plan

Mason County is asking people for input on a new master parks, recreation, open space and trails plan.

According to a news release, the new plan will replace the 2013 comprehensive parks plan with a single document for the next 6 to 10 years of parks and recreation activities.

County residents, patrons and interested stakeholders are asked to share their thoughts through a survey platform called Maptionnaire. For the public participation plan for the comprehensive update to the parks, recreation, open space and trails plan and to access the survey, visit https://masoncountywa.gov/parks/index.php. Surveys must be completed by Nov. 1.

Mason County Historic Preservation Commission seeks applicants for open positions

Mason County commissioners are looking for applicants to fill two open positions on the Mason County Historic Preservation Commission.

According to a news release, the major responsibility of the commission is to identify and encourage conservation of the county’s historic resources by initiating and maintaining a register of historic places and reviewing proposed changes to register properties. Members also raise community awareness of the county’s history and historic resources, serving as a primary resource in relation to history, planning and preservation.

Members serve a three-year term and meet monthly at the county office in Shelton. Meetings are held on Zoom. The term is open due to vacancies and will expire in November 2022.

Anyone who is interested can apply by completing a form at https://masoncountywa.gov/forms/advisory/Advisoryboardapp.pdf or by calling the commissioners’ office at 427-9670 ext. 419. Applications can be submitted at the commissioners’ office at 411 N 5th Street.

Teri King, Glenn Landram appointed to Clean Water District Advisory Committee

Teri Kind and Glenn Landram were each appointed to the Clean Water District Advisory Committee during Tuesday’s Mason County commissioners meeting.

King’s appointment is for a three-year citizen term and Landram is for a two-year citizen term.

King is a 30-year Mason County resident and works on marine water quality with her work for Washington Sea Grant as a Marine Water Quality Specialist, according to King’s application.

Landram has been the president of the 70 connection water system since 2010. He lives on Hood Canal and has swam in the waters for the past 60 years, raises clams commercially on his frontage on Hood Canal and has an interest in clean water, according to Landram’s application.

Jann Goodpaster retained for second term on Historic Preservation Commission

The Mason County commissioners approved Jann Goodpaster to refill her term on the Mason County Historic Preservation Commission.

According to the information packet, Goodpaster’s term is set to expire soon and she reapplied for a second term with no other applications received. The commissioners interviewed Goodpaster in December 2020.

The second term ends Nov. 30, 2024.

Alison Voss appointed to Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging

County commissioners approved the appointment of Alison Voss to the Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on aging for a two-year term.

According to the information packet, the Area Agency on Aging is a local government agency that provides home and community services to seniors and adults with disabilities to help them remain living in their own homes. The council provides advice to the council of governments and staff.

Voss’ term ends in December 2023.

Commissioners approve appointment of Toni Gwin to Library Board

Mason County commissioners approved the appointment of Toni Gwin to the Timberland Regional Library Board of Trustees.

Pacific County appointed Gwin, with the Timberland Regional Library supporting the counties of Grays Harbor, Mason, Lewis, Pacific and Thurston counties.

According to her application, she is a graduate of Hoquiam High School. She graduated from Garys Harbor Community College in 1979 with an Associate of Arts degree. She graduated from Washington State University in Pullman in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in biology and graduated from Central Washington University with a Master’s degree in biology in 1986. She has been an associate professor and a 4-H/Youth Development at the Washington State University extension since 2000.

Gwin’s appointment begins Dec. 31 and ends Dec. 31, 2028.