NEWS BRIEFS

Commissioners sign Pride Month proclamation

Mason County commissioners signed a National LGBTQ+ Pride month proclamation at the Tuesday meeting.

According to the proclamation, the county has a diverse LGBTQ+ community and is committed to supporting visibility, dignity, equality and freedom from discrimination for all people in the community. The commissioners observe June as a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, raise awareness of quality services, and foster a dialogue to promote healthy, safe and prosperous communities for all.

“The Mason County Board of County Commissioners fully supports the rights, freedoms and equal treatment of LGBTQ+; and to show this support,” the proclamation states.

Shellfish hearing now Aug. 9

The public hearing for Taylor Shellfish’s permit to implement floating oyster bags in Oakland Bay has been rescheduled to 1 p.m. Aug. 9 at 411 N. 5th St. in Shelton.

According to a public notice, public comment and oral testimony for the project will be accepted up to the close of the hearing. Taylor Shellfish is applying for a permit to grow Pacific oysters and install a floating oyster bag system in Oakland Bay that will take an estimated 9.1 acres of surface water at full installation within a 50-acre area that will be used for floating oyster gear.

Public comments and questions can be sent to Mason County Community Development planner Luke Viscusi at [email protected].

Belco names sales director

Belco Forest Products has named Baxter Reimer as the director of sales for the Shelton-based company.

According to a news release, Baxter will be responsible for overseeing national sales, sales strategy and managing the sales team.

Reimer began working with Belco as the Pacific Northwest Market Development Manager in 2017. During the past six years, Reimer has developed strong industry relationships with the industry.

“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to lead, coach, and grow our world class sales team into an unstoppable force in the market,” Reimer said in a news release. “We have a great company and great products to stand behind. I look forward to building and strengthening our relationships in all markets with our current and future industry partners. My strong belief is that you have to create your own luck.”

Economic Development Council receives money

The Mason County Economic Development Council received $30,000 from the general fund after action by the Mason County commissioners.

According to the information packet, the EDC requested financial support to help retain a consultant or consultants to assist Mason County in identifying, selecting, prioritizing and applying for grant funding opportunities.

The money would include consulting and analytical services to help develop a strategic approach to leveraging all money opportunities to help lead research and evaluation efforts with respect to federal and state grant programs, identify key attributes of prospective grant money sources and work with the EDC to establish an evaluation framework to use in identifying which grant sources would be best in prioritizing.

The cost of the services is $75,000 and the EDC requested $30,000 be funded by the county.

DNR approved for project

Mason County commissioners authorized Mason County Public Works to close Elfendahl Pass Road for a clear zone project with the state Department of Natural Resources from mile post 1.85 to 4.20 for up to four weeks.

According to the information packet, Public Works is working with state DNR on a clear zone project along the upper Elfendahl Pass Road. DNR is contracting for the cutting and removal of the trees in and along the right of way. County forces will provide traffic control, clean up and grinding of the stumps. The DNR timber sale bid opening is June 13 and the project is planned to start after the July 4 weekend and have a two-to-four-week duration. Public Works and DNR propose to close the road during the work.

The project is funded through the County Road fund and Public Works will put up reader boards two weeks in advance of the project.

Puget Sound Nutrient Reduction Grant

Mason County commissioners authorized the director to execute the Puget Sound Nutrient Reduction Grant Agreement between the state Department of Ecology and Mason County.

According to the information packet, the state Department of Ecology issued the first Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit is effective through 2026. The purpose of the permit is to control nutrients from domestic wastewater treatment plants that discharge to Puget Sound, which the Rustlewood plant does.

Grants are available to municipalities to pay for planning efforts, monitoring, and actions to improve operational efficiencies required under the permit. Mason County will receive $165,900 for the Rustlewood wastewater treatment plant. The agreement became legal July 1, 2021, and expires Dec. 31, 2025.

There is no required grant match and a 2023 budget amendment is proposed for Fund 411 in the amount of $27,650. The permit requirements and grant information will be shared with the Rustlewood community during the annual Homeowner’s Association meeting.