<p>Minutes of North Preston Area Watch Meeting held at 6:30pm on Thursday, August 27, 2015 at the North Preston Senior Center.</p><p>Guest Speaker: WV House of Representatives Delegate Steve Shaffer Topic: Drugs and Crimes, Bad Roads and Economic Development in In North Preston area</p><p>Officers Attended Guests Jeanie Walsh, President WV District 52 Delegate Steve Shaffer James Boreing, Vice President Margie Boreing, Treasurer</p><p>The meeting was called to order by President Jeanie Walsh with the Lord’s Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.</p><p>President Jeanie welcomed all members and guests.</p><p>President Jeanie dispensed with the reading of the minutes. The minute book is available for review and inspection. </p><p>Treasurer Margie Boreing Reported a Balance of $3,174.99. Balance includes $300.00 allotment from Preston County Commission for 2015-16.</p><p>President Jeanie reported on the following:</p><p>DEA Drug Take-Back Semi-Annual Programs Cancelled by DEA. Old prescription drugs which are no longer needed can be taken to Sheriff’s Office for drop-off and deposited in the secure DRUG BOX for proper disposal.</p><p>Recommended that we continue to request road repairs by WV DOH. Contact information distributed.</p><p>Town of Bruceton has approved a “No Parking” Ordinance on Morgantown Street between the Bruceton Bridge-- Big Sandy Avenue to Union Street.</p><p>The Bruceton Mayor and Council approved the election of officers to be held during the regular primary elections and will serve a 4-year term. Prodigi is currently installing service for internet, television and phone.</p><p>A house number sign was presented to Mary Fleming (she won by a drawing at NPAW April meeting).</p><p>Complimentary House Number Signs were offered to anyone who needed a sign.</p><p>Warning by WV Attorney General about Scam Calls and to be aware of such calls.</p><p>WV Delegate Steve Shaffer (D-52) met with Residents of the North Preston to discuss issues affecting the community, including roads, crime, and business development. “In June, I said if we’d take care of the budget, schools and roads, then it would be a good legislative session,” Shaffer said. NPAW invited Shaffer mainly to promote economic development. Group members specifically are interested in bringing retail business to the Hazelton, Brandonville, and Bruceton Mills area. Delegate Shaffer reported that he contacted Craig Phillips, who has Save-A-Lot in Kingwood and Shop ’n Save in Reedsville, to tell him that Bruceton is a good location. “I also contacted PJ Crogan, who owns Hometown Hotdogs in Kingwood. PJ is looking at things in Bruceton.” Shaffer plans to bring both business owners to the Bruceton Mills area to review prospective sites and meet the community. “I would like to bring PJ and Craig down to Bruceton and meet with people,” Shaffer explained. “I’d like to see us have a community meeting to show interest.” While a chain grocery store or restaurant may be more affordable for residents, Shaffer suggested that local business owners would be easier to convince to open more businesses in the area. “We are asking these people to make large investments,” Shaffer explained. “They would be a better fit because they already have stores in Preston County. A large chain would do a study. If Phillips can survive Kingwood with Wal-Mart eight miles down the road, I think he would at least be open to the idea of a store in Bruceton. Bruceton is the growing end of the county.” Those in attendance gave suggestions for places for these potential businesses to look into acquiring, should they choose to open new locations in the Bruceton Mills area. Shaffer also addressed concerns that attendees had regarding the drug problems that W.Va. faces. “We’re number one per capita in the United States in drug overdoses,” Shaffer explained. “We’re number two in heroin-specific overdoses, and of the over 259 million pain prescriptions written in the United States, W.Va. is number three on the list.” Shaffer agreed that police coverage in the county is not all that it can be, but believed a lack of communication between various towns and police departments could be a major problem. Not only does he believe that uniting as a county would help reduce crime, but also would help the county to be heard by state officials on matters such as road repairs. “We want to have a group meeting every two months with all the mayors and other elected officials,” he said. “We all have road problems and dilapidated buildings, but when we present something, it needs to be a united group.” Shaffer said that funding is not the only issue causing delays in road repairs. “In 1994, Preston County had 66 Department of Highways employees allotted,” Shaffer explained. “In 2015, 52 people were allotted, but they only have 45 people working. They hired people in March who are just now starting.” The next meeting will be Thursday, September 17, 2015. The meeting was changed from the 4th Thursday to the 3rd Thursday due to Buckwheat Festival held on September 24.</p><p>There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. </p>