Commission Briefs

County invites comments about county road project

Mason County invites the public to comment on alternative plans for the Uncle John Creek lower culvert fish barrier correction project on Agate Loop Road.

According to a news release, an open house is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. April 7 at the Agate Grange No. 275, 1631 Agate Loop Road, Shelton. The open house is for people to come talk with Public Works team members about the design alternatives, ask questions and provide comment. Comments must be received by Public Works by 4:30 p.m. on April 12 in order to be considered in the department’s final recommendation to the county commissioners.

Written comments can be mailed to Mason County Public Works, 100 W. Public Works Drive, Shelton, WA, 98584, emailed to [email protected], or submitted in person. Mason County has considered various design alternatives, including replacing the culvert with a bridge and removing the crossing. Public Works has identified alternative 2 as the preferred alternative.

County adopts precinct maps

Mason County commissioners adopted new precinct maps at the March 29 commissioners meeting.

According to the information packet, RCW 29A.16.040 provides “The county legislative authority … shall divide the county into election precincts.” It also states boundaries can be altered at any time and no changes may be made 14 days prior to the first day for candidates to file, which is May 2.

Following the new registrations from the 2020 presidential election, four precincts exceed the 1,500 registered voters limit. In order to avoid redoing the precincts in the near future, the county auditor looked at 16 precincts that exceeded 1,250 voters and the office proposed an expansion from 43 to 55 precincts. The office tried to minimize precinct splits and follow natural and other geographic features.

Commissioner District 1 has 14,386 voters and the biggest precincts are Pickering with 1,155 voters, Harstine with 1,142, South Allyn with 1,039, Belfair with 1,049 and Tahuya with 1,099. Commissioner District 2 has 13,990 voters and the biggest precincts are Union with 1,016, Lake Cushman with 1,268, Dayton with 1,071, Airport with 1,006, Johns Prairie with 1,005 and North Limerick with 1,062. Commissioner District 3 has 12,931 voters, with the largest precincts including South Arcadia with 1,179 voters, Lynch Creek with 1,172, Timberlake with 1,146 and Hillcrest with 999.

To view the proposed 2022 precincts, go to pages 121 and 122 of the commissioners information packet at tinyurl.com/48e6tzsc.

Free dump vouchers for Days of Caring

The United Way of Mason County is handing out free dump vouchers for the 2022 Days of Caring in partnership Mason County Public Works and Republic Services.

According to a news release, vouchers will be handed out to 200 Mason County residents first-come, first-served to be redeemable at the Mason County Landfill. Beginning Wednesday, vouchers will be available 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at the United Way of Mason County’s office at 536 W. Railroad Ave., Shelton. To receive a voucher, you must fill out the required paperwork, have a valid ID and proof of Mason County address.

Questions can be directed to the United Way of Mason County at 360-426-4999 and rules and restrictions for household garbage information can be answered at 360-427-9670, ext. 199.

Capital facilities plan public hearing set

Mason County commissioners approved a public hearing at 9:15 a.m. April 26 to consider an update to the Mason County capital facilities plan.

According to the information packet, the Planning Advisory Commission held a public hearing to consider an update in February and the commission recommended going forward with the updates to the county commissioners. The planning department received updates to the capital facilities plan from the departments of Public Works and Support Services.

Questions can be directed to Marissa Watson at 360-427-9670, ext. 367.

Building No. 10 project updated

The county approved an increase to the contract on improvements to the Building No. 10 project.

According to the information packet, Building No. 10 Phase 2 external improvements need to be completed. County commissioners authorized the amount for the contract at $3,314,595.67, but an additional $415,404.33 is being requested to increase the contract total to $3,730,000 to complete Phase 2 of the project.

The amount will bring the county current with submitted change orders received as of March 16. The county has paid $3,289,741.47 of the contract as of February. The contract change will not affect the budget as improvements were already budgeted for the courthouse in 2022.

Three appointed to Onsite Sewage Advisory Committee

Wes Graves, Dave Killoran and Kim Delaney were appointed to the Onsite Sewage Advisory Committee at the March 29 commissioners meeting.

According to the information packet, Graves was appointed to the pumper position. His term expired March 26 and he said he would like to continue participating. Killoran applied for a vacant contractor position and no other applications were received. Delany applied for a citizen position and her term expired March 26, but would like to continue being on the committee.

Community meeting at Sandhill Park

Mason County Parks and Trails is having a community meeting at 5:30 p.m. today at Sandhill County Park.

According to a news release,

county parks and trails is applying for a Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office grant to expand the complex by adding a synthetic field and a parking area. Prior to the submission of the grant, the county would like to brief community members on the plans and solicit comments and support.

For more information, contact Mason County Parks and Recreation Manager John Taylor at 360-427-9670, ext. 669.

Grant applications approved by county

Mason County commissioners approved Heritage Grant applications totaling $8,700 at the March 29 commissioners meeting.

According to the information packet, the Historic Preservation Commission voted in February to forward the Heritage grants to the commissioners for approval. The grants include $2,000 for the Matlock Historical Society for the purchase of a stick-built outside storage shed and $2,000 for the Great Peninsula Conservancy toward organization and speaker fees for the walk and talk events for sites of historical significance in Mason County.

McReavy House Museum of Hood Canal will receive $2,000 for reproduction millwork for restoration of the museum’s front entry and walking porch, Peninsula Railway & Lumbermen’s Museum receives $2,000 for patio pavers and other materials to assist in restoration and reassembly of the steel arena-type building and $700 for the Mason County Historical Society toward digital archive scanning of 750 photograph negatives in the society’s collection.

The Historic Preservation Commission budgeted $10,000 for Heritage Grants in fiscal year 2022 and the remaining balance is $1,300 after the approval of the applications.

Carl Soper appointed to Equalization board

County commissioners appointed Carl Soper as an alternate member of the Mason County Board of Equalization.

According to the information packet, the board of equalization is a three-member board and two alternates to ensure all property valuations are at 100% market value so equitable tax assessment can be established.

Water facilities repairs approved

County commissioners approved repairs for the ultraviolet disinfection systems at the Belfair Water Reclamation Facilities.

According to the information packet, the Belfair Reclaimed Water Facility uses an ultraviolet radiation disinfection system as the final treatment of effluent. The treatment uses UV disinfection to target bacteria and viruses present in the effluent after it has gone through the treatment process. The facility received some permit exceedances for effluent total coliform.

A technical field specialist came out to inspect the facility in November and to review operations of the UV systems. Many deficiencies were noted and a quote from the manufacturer for the recommended repairs.

The Trojan UV quote is $31,146.72 and money was available in the Belfair Wastewater Maintenance budget to cover the cost.