Clarke County Democrat

AFC foresters to work out of courthouse while Zeta repairs to office being made




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The rear of the Alabama Forestry Commission office on Old Highway 5 north of Grove Hill had significant damage from Hurricane Zeta. AFC foresters will use offices in the courthouse while repairs are being made.

The rear of the Alabama Forestry Commission office on Old Highway 5 north of Grove Hill had significant damage from Hurricane Zeta. AFC foresters will use offices in the courthouse while repairs are being made.

Hurricane Zeta caused extensive damage to the Alabama Forestry Commission office on Old Highway 5 just north of Grove Hill. The October 2020 storm took down a lot of pine trees in the complex and a big one crashed through the office building, causing roof, interior and floor damages.

Repairs will be extensive and the forestry commission will have to vacate the building for about two months while work is being done. EMA Director Roy Waite told Clarke County commissioners Tuesday, Dec. 14 that space has been requested in the EMA office in the courthouse basement. He said the space is available.

Waite said the foresters use their cell phones for communications and have their own laptops. He said the foresters will not be in the courthouse every day but in and out.

Commissioners agreed to allow usage of the courthouse offices.

Fulton sewer request Chairman Rhondel

Rhone brought up an earlier request from Fulton Mayor Mike Norris for the county to help the town with payments on its sewer system.

Fulton put in a sewer system several years ago. It was built based on a certain number of customers using it. Over time, that customer base has decreased to the point that it is costing Fulton to make payments on the system, hence the request for assistance.

The figure of $50,000 a year for five years was mentioned.

Commissioner Jackie Ray Rush said he would like to know what Fulton is charging for water and sewer and to see a comparison with neighboring municipalities.

Commissioner Stan Hutto said even if the county could help with one payment, it can’t continue to supplement the sewer system. He said Fulton would need to come up with a plan to meet the shortfall.

Commissioners said they needed more information before they can make a commitment.

EMA report

EMA Director Waite noted the devastating tornadoes that caused damages and deaths in Kentucky and adjoining states over the weekend. He said the storms are a reminder that severe tornadoes can occur in the winter months, too. He suggested that citizens have multiple ways of getting weather alerts — weather radios, phone apps, etc.

He also mentioned that he and Commissioner Rhone would be attending a meeting to see if a gap in local radar coverage could be filled that could help with tornado detections. Now, storms that come across the county are sometimes literally under the radar because of a 2,000-feet ceiling because of the spotty coverage.

Property sale, water well

The county agreed to sell 12 acres in the Clarke County Industrial Park in Grove Hill to Bradford Lumber Company, LLC for $52,500. The property is adjacent to Bradford’s plant which employs about 30 people.

The Grove Hill Utilities Board has for some time been seeking a new water source for the town. It requested permission to drill a test well on the backside of the old armory property on Highway 84 East near the Department of Human Resources property line.

A 100 feet by 100 feet parcel is needed with a 20-foot access strip.

Commissioner Rush was at first opposed, saying it could devalue the armory property value if the county wants to sell it. However, after being explained that the parcels needed are on the edge of the property and do not intrude on the armory building or parking lot, he consented and permission for the test well was granted.

The utilities board will pay the county $500 for the right to drill and if a successful well is made, will pay $2,500 for the property.

Other business

Probationary periods were completed by Rory Dunegan and Jeff James in the Road and Bridge Department.

The 2022 holiday schedule was approved. It was noted that Juneteenth, a new holiday on June 19 is not on the list because the Alabama Legislature hasn’t made it an official holiday. That could come in the 2022 session.

Regarding other holiday topics, it was announced that the courthouse would be closed Dec. 24 for Christmas and Dec. 31 for New Year.

Chairman Rhone mentioned past problems of some county offices closing longer that the commission had authorized. An addendum was added to the county handbook that requires all county offices to be open on the dates preceding and following approved holidays.

A $240 ad was approved for The Clarke County Democrat’s special issue recognizing Clarke County High School’s state championship.

Approvals were given for matters related to the Investing in Alabama Counties program for using Covid-related federal monies.

Commissioner Bill Taylor did not attend Tuesday’s meeting.

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