Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign

By PJ Martin

Editor

The Herald-News

 

The Metcalfe County fiscal court met in a regular session on Thursday, May 22^nd, with a quorum present. The only person absent was Magistrate Harvey Hawkins.

The agenda was approved, and the minutes from the May 13^th meeting were approved as written.

The meeting began with the acknowledgment of the annual budget of the Metcalfe County Conservation District and Chairman Billy Branstetter addressed the court to request funds of $3,000. The money is for the removal of dead animals. “This is pretty important. It keeps dead animals from being drug in the woods and all that,” stated Branstetter.

The magistrates approved the funds.

Next, Judge/Executive Larry Wilson opened the yearly bids for the county. The magistrates will look them over and award the bid at the next meeting. There were 2 bids for the maintenance and only 1 bid for janitorial services for the Justice Center and Government Center. The Road Department supplies oil, stone, diesel, and asphalt received several bids each.

The next item was a discussion of purchasing handout materials for the Metcalfe County Sheriff’s Office. Judge Wilson stated, “I did go up and ask the sheriff’s office about this. This is something they do annually. They give out books and pencils around Halloween to the kids.”

After a brief discussion, it was agreed to allow $600 for the MCSO to purchase the handout materials. The motion was made by Magistrate Daniel Bragg, seconded by Magistrate Ronnie Miller, and approved.

Ordinance No. 18-1009 established a no-sign perimeter at the Veterans Memorial in the historic courthouse lawn at the corner of Main and Stockton Streets. The ordinance was passed in 2018 and prohibits any type of sign from being placed within 60 feet of the monument.

“If you measure 60 feet from the way the ordinance is written, there would be no parking in several parking places,” explained Judge Wilson adding, “I mean, there needs to be an ordinance, don’t get me wrong, but I think the figure was a little excessive and needs to be brought down.”

Bragg pointed out that a 60-foot circle from the monument would mean the nativity scene would have to be moved, and that it looks good in that spot.

It was mentioned that vehicles could also have signs on them, and one was placed in one of the parking spots with an event advertised. Everyone seemed to agree that the ordinance needs to be more detailed and perhaps not as excessive.

“How about we table till the next meeting, Chris and I will go there with red flags so you can see it, so we can see, and then, if we want to move it, how’s that?” stated Judge Wilson.

The motion was made by Miller, seconded by Magistrate Kevin Crain, and approved to table the issue until the next meeting to allow time to check into the situation.

Next was the approval of the fiscal year 2025/ 2026 Salary Schedule. Treasurer Page Edwards noted, “These are the same figures that are in the budget. We just have to have a separate motion and second on the actual salary schedule.”

The motion to approve the salary schedule was made by Bragg, seconded by Miller, and approved.

The next item was the discussion on the chip seal for each magistrate’s district. Road Supervisor Chris Compton was asked how many miles were done last year, he replied, “About 7 miles.”

Each magistrate was to compile a list of the roads in their district to provide to Compton for chip seal. At the time of the meeting, he only had lists from 2 of the 4 magistrates.

The request to add the remaining quarter mile of Fletcher Road to the road maintenance list was discussed. Bragg said that he had looked at the road and it had a bad bridge tile and only went to one house. He is going to check on the cost.

The April financial statement, budget transfers, and inter-fund transfer for the jail were all approved.

The claims were approved with only one small clarification. Miller asked about the $1,000 claim for Matt’s Express, and Judge Wilson replied that they were the crew who moved the gazebo.

Someone commented that the gazebo looked very at home in Sulphur Well Park, like it had always been there and belonged there.

The DES, Recycling, and Road department reports were included in the magistrate’s packets for review.

In other business, Crain noted that everyone seemed to be happy about the trash being picked up on the roads. The question of when the next tire recycling event would be was asked and Recycling Center Coordinator Kim Jandt replied that it only occurs every three years.

Judge Wilson told everyone that Magistrates Miller and Crain, along with Supervisor Compton, took a load of shovels, tarps, and other needed equipment to Somerset to help with the recovery there.

With no other business, the meeting was adjourned.