BUCKHANNON — The Upshur County Commission voted to reopen the courthouse and county operated facilities to the public effective today.

During Thursday’s meeting, which the public and media were invited to attend by teleconference, the commission discussed opening the facilities fully.

The courthouse had been closed for the previous two weeks due to rising COVID-19 numbers. As of Thursday afternoon, there were 44 active cases in the county according to the Upshur-Buckhannon Health Department — now nearly half.

Commission president Terry Cutright said, “I want to thank all the elected officials and offices for working so well with the commission and making our job a lot easier.”

Circuit Clerk Brian Gaudet said, “I appreciate the safety measures you put in place thinking of us.”

Although the courthouse will reopen Monday, the commission encourages residents to conduct business via mail, telephone or online. Tax payments can be made online, mailed or put in the Chancery Street drop-box.

In other business, the commission:

• proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the county.

• approved a land use agreement extension for an additional year on the FEMA property located off Norvel Drive. Donnie Tenney also requested to plant two Hybrid American Chestnut trees on the property.

• approved a lease-purchase agreement for acquisition of a 2020 Ford F-250 Supercab Truck at 3.35% interest which will cost $8,290.71 annually over a period of four years for a total acquisition cost of $33,162.84.

• approved Jarid Rutter and Justine Heaton as volunteers for the Lewis-Upshur Animal Control Facility.