Beech Tree News Network

The magistrates of the Butler County Fiscal Court met on Monday night for their first regular meeting in October. All members were present, along with a handful of visitors. A short agenda awaited the Court.
After approving the minutes of previous meetings the Court turned to the first agenda item, approval of an MOA for the Leonard Oak boat ramps. The court also passed a motion giving signatory authority to Judge-Executive David Fields concerning the Leonard Oak Boat Ramps. The approval process on the ramps has dragged on for more than three years, with the last delay caused by the Federal Government.
Judge Fields reported that he will only have authority to sign needed documents, and that any funding decisions would still need to come before the Court. The Court approved motions to approve the MOA, and to approve Judge Fields to sign the documents by a 5-0 vote. Road Supervisor Jonathan Deweese told the Court that debris removal is finished at the sites of the ramps, and that about one-tenth of a mile of road was built to reach the downriver ramp.
Next, the Court gave signatory authority to Judge Fields for documents pertaining to the new Senior Citizens Center in Morgantown. Any funding decisions would still need to be approved by the Court. The motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
Litter abatement payments were approved by a 5-0 vote in a blanket motion. Payments will be made to; Community House of Prayer-$600, BCHS Band Boosters-$605, and Boy Scout Troop #1192-$613.
A short discussion was held about advertising for pest control service for the county. Earlier in the calendar year the Court opened bids for exterminating, but the contract wasn’t awarded at that time. Approval to advertise for bids was given by a 5-0 vote, but that prompted 3rd District Magistrate Chad Tyree to inquire about the specs listed to prospective bidders.
Tyree suggested coming up with detailed specs for the job at the next Fiscal Court meeting, with Judge Fields in agreement. The Court also discussed the possibility of having the bid be open to reverse bidding. When reverse bidding is used the bidders are allowed to offer a counter-bid to the lowest bid received. County Attorney Dick Deye said he saw no reason why the reverse bid process couldn’t be used, but a final decision will be made at the next meeting, before bids are advertised.
The Court went into closed session for almost a half-hour to discuss new hires. When they returned to open session 5th District Magistrate Bobby Moore moved to hire Donald R. Lee, Jr. as a full time road department employee at the pay rate of $12.50 per hour. Magistrate Chad Tyree gave a second and the motion passed 5-0.
Fourth District Magistrate David Whittinghill moved to hire James Childress as the new Road Department Mechanic at a pay rate of $13.50 per hour. Whittinghill stipulated that the hiring is contingent upon Childress getting his Commercial Driver’s License within 90 days. The motion to hire Childress was seconded by Chad Tyree and passed by a 5-0 vote.
Butler County Emergency Management Director/Solid Waste Coordinator Richard Henderson made a brief report to the Court. Henderson worked the ferry accident and the school bus incident. The Butler County Rescue Squad made 13 runs in September, and has already made 4 runs in October. Henderson reported that he was able to get in 20 hours of training at the State Conference, 3 hours at Web ECO, 6 hours at grant training and conducted 9 hours of rescue and fire training.
Henderson reported that he had investigated the construction-waste landfill on Highway 231, operated by Ken-Way Contracting of Bowling Green. According to Henderson the landfill is up to date on permits, and was originally permitted in 2011. He said the road to the landfill has been graded, and some work has been done at the site, but does not appear to be operating. No reports of usage in the first half of 2015. Henderson is still investigating another landfill located near Kuntry Korners. He also reported: that he had assisted the County road department in picking up dumped material at a local church, three illegal dumps were reported to the office and have been taken care of, still investigating an old tire dump on property owned by Mark Bratcher on Evans Cemetery Road. He also told the Court that recycling trailers have not been placed back out into public areas due to a back log with Star-Tek Recycling, and that he hopes the process will get quicker once the county’s new recycling center is open. He said that the recycling center has been wired and has electricity.
Magistrate Chad Tyree asked Henderson if it was time to talk about enforcement options for the county’s nuisance property ordinance and other solid-waste violations.
County Attorney Dick Deye said that it’s not a good idea to make Henderson a special deputy and give him enforcement powers. Deye thinks that enforcement should remain in the hands of law enforcement. He will meet with Henderson concerning enforcement and they will report back to the Court.
The Court voted 5-0 to declare the old Sugar Grove voting house as surplus property. The property was discovered to be owned by the county last month by PVA Susanne Brosnan. Declaring the property surplus clears the way to sell the building. County Attorney Deye will report to the Court about how to dispense with the property.
The meeting was then adjourned.