The Hampshire County Commission voted Tuesday to allow Capon Bridge Emergency Medical Service to exercise a 1978 lease option to purchase the former station building for $95,100.

The decision formalizes a notice the commission received in writing from the volunteer squad’s attorney seeking to buy the building that the county leased to the squad in 1978 for $1 per year. The lease included a long‑standing purchase option the commission found binding.

Commissioners debated the request for more than an hour, raising questions about whether the squad intends to continue providing 24/7 emergency coverage or might seek to generate revenue by leasing space back to county services. Commissioner Cannon, who said he contacted the squad treasurer before the meeting, said he was “a little worried” the purchase could be used as a way to create an income stream for the volunteer service rather than preserve public safety capacity. "I was worried about them taking it and possibly trying to turn around and charge the taxpayers' rent," he said.

Commissioner Mance urged the commission to consider reducing the $95,100 purchase price to help a volunteer group reconstitute itself and invest in training and equipment. “We actually do not have an obligation to charge the full $95,100,” Mance said during discussion. “We actually have the opportunity to reduce that amount so that we could increase their ability to operate early on or provide training for volunteers.”

President of the commission said the lease appears legally enforceable and that the commission must honor the option. After discussion and two motions, the board voted to accept the squad’s notice and authorize execution of the option at the stated price; the commission recorded the motion as passed.

The commission did not adopt any changes to the purchase price at Tuesday’s meeting and did not condition the sale on specific commitments from the volunteer organization. Several commissioners said they would welcome the squad returning with a presentation of how any proceeds could be used for training or recruitment before the county considers a price reduction.

What’s next: The county will process the paperwork to transfer title under the 1978 lease terms. Commissioners said they remain open to meeting again with the squad if the group submits a plan showing how purchase proceeds would be used to bolster local emergency coverage.