WCHS Board: No land sale

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
The Weston County Hospital District board of trustees voted to not move forward with the potential sale of land adjacent to the hospital, citing a lack of response from the Weston County commissioners and the desire to not restrict future boards from using the land. Deeded to the hospital district in 2005 by the county, according to Weston County Hospital District attorney Jim Peck, the land was intended to be the location of a helicopter pad, which has never been built.
The land became a topic of discussion on Jan. 7 when Weston County Attorney Alex Berger told the commissioners that an unnamed retail business was interested in purchasing the land. Commissioner Tracy Hunt suggested finding an option that would benefit both the district and the county. 
On Feb. 4, Berger informed the commissioners that the hospital district would be willing to give the county a percentage of the sale price or a set dollar amount if the property were to sell. The commissioners said, however, that  the land should return to the county’s possession if the hospital does not use it for the intended purpose. 
In April, after several failed attempts to discuss the potential sale and come to an agreement with the county, Peck drafted a letter to the  commissioners via County Clerk Becky Hadlock. 
During the May 21 hospital district board meeting, Peck reported that he had still not received a response to the letter. The commissioners had not acknowledged the letter, according to the commission board’s minutes. On May 20, Commission Chairman Ed Wagoner said during their meeting that he thought the idea had “kind of died.” 
“I can certainly call their attorney. Frankly, I should try and call some of the commissioners directly to see what the attitude is about and try to get some movement here,” Peck said. “The attitude I am hearing is kind of shocking. I’m really surprised at the former mayor’s (Ed Wagoner) reaction.” 
Hospital district board trustee Mike Ratigan stated that the topic needed to be “put to bed” one way or another. He noted that he took personal issue with the awkward position created by the commissioners and their lack of response to the letter. 
Dr. Lanny Reimer, also a hospital district board trustee, then suggested that the district forego selling the property. 
“It is really not that much money, and we could preserve the land for future boards. I think we should think about that,” Reimer said. 
After a brief discussion, the board decided to drop any potential sale. As a matter of courtesy, Peck said he would draft a letter about the board’s decision to the real estate agent involved. 
“Let them know that we are reserving for ourselves and future boards to have options,” Reimer said. The site, he said, could be used for potential future expansion, if needed.