As reported in the Doddridge County Board of Education (BOE) minutes, at their August 26th, 2020 meeting, the BOE approved $260,400 (up to $280,000) to “clean-up” the now BOE-owned 140+/- acres on Greenbrier which was purchased at $600,000 for Vo-Ag purposes.
Future operating and maintenance cost data were not available for this recent BOE Project that is now at a total cost of $860,000 to $880,000.
Among activities presented to the BOE to be conducted at this site are gardening, raising fish, forestry and sheep husbandry along with other animal projects. The WVU Extension Office has been contacted about their potential interest also.
The minutes did not address the “clean -up” that was to take place, but further investigation indicated the BOE has let a contract with Enviroclean, LLC per its quote of August 24 to remove trees, fencing, sawdust and manure, logs, trash, some interior facilities (including horse corral, mechanical bull and hot walker), regrading and ditching, and some minor repairs. No hazardous waste was noted in the winning contractor’s quote, and further information provided from the BOE representative indicated there is no hazardous waste.
The contract was not advertised for bid. Three bids were solicited from contractors who provide this type of “clean-up” after they visited the site. The bidder expects a total of three to four months to complete the “clean-up” project.
In the past, this 140+/- property has also been known as the Salem Equestrian Center. Made up of four land tracts, the DC BOE purchased the property on June 17, 2020, from Carl F Starr for $600,000. The deed granted free gas that may be available, and reserved all oil and gas for the “proper (sic) owners”.
Other past owners have included:
• In 2006, Carl Starr purchased the property reserving all past reservations from Charity Gas for $450,000.
• In 2006, Charity Gas purchased the property from Salem Teikyo International University* for $545,700.
• In 2001, Salem Teikyo International University purchased the property from Informatics for $50,000 (a business transfer).
• In 1990, Salem-Teikyo purchased the property from Carl and Alma Koch for $180,960.45.
In 1967, Harold and Bessie Richards sold the property to the Kochs.
*Salem Teikyo International University made capital improvements about 20 years ago associated with constructing their equestrian center at this property site.