Fiscal Court Recap: November 26, 2018

Hawks Cemetery Road, Rock Castle Shooting Safety Measures Discussed

Darren Doyle, story:
Concerns for two items on last meeting's agenda were brought before the court today, but once again, no solution was found for either.

Mr. James Simmons, a resident of the Wingfield community and a trustee of Hawks Cemetery, asked the court to make Hawks Cemetery Road a one-way road during the last meeting. Judge Cannon said that this request was made a few years ago but when those who owned property on the road were contacted, no one was interested in changing the narrow county road.

Today, Judge Cannon said during the research, he found statements from five different trustees that were against changing the road to one-way; however, he proposed a motion that would allow the trustees to make the road a temporary one-way street in the event of funerals, if they so chose, which he said was the only time there were traffic issues. He also said that while there are no homes on the road, two of the property owners said they were not in favor of a change and another said they didn't care either way.

Magistrate Clark Wood made the motion requested by Cannon, but Mr. Simmons objected. He said there was no driveway, no home, or no other business on the road except for the cemetery. Magistrate Edd Rich seconded the motion; however, County Attorney Greg Vincent said the motion was invalid because legally, the county can't give up temporary government function to a non-governmental agency. Vincent asked for time to research options and the motion was tabled. 

The court also discussed a safety issue regarding shooting near residents around a Rock Castle Shooting range. Magistrate Clark Wood said he'd heard from local citizens near one of their facilities that rounds were too close to their home with at least one part of their property receiving a bullet hole.

Wood said he went to the facility recently, where he sat and watched for around two hours. He said shots were coming from all directions and they were indeed aimed toward the home. He said some of the shooting came from large caliber rifles. After another discussion ensued regarding the county's authority to require the shooting facility to take further safety measures, it was decided more research was needed and no vote was held.

In other fiscal court news, the following reports were given:

Road Report: County Road Foreman Ray Page said that blacktop season is now complete and mowing and trimming with the extended boom arm is now in operation. Ditch, Dirt, Backhoe, and rock work is also taking place.

Sheriff Report: Sheriff Shane Doyle said that the call volume is down 2-3% during this time of the season. He also reported on his first Law Enforcement Council meeting that he attended. Doyle was appointed to the statewide council by Governor Matt Bevin in September of this year. He said he looks forward to serving on that council over the next four years.

Jailer Report: Jailer Hank Vincent reported 24 county inmates are currently housed in Hart County Jail, with one on home incarceration. 

Parks and Rec: Judge Wil Cannon read from a statement sent by Parks and Rec Program Administrator John Kiernan, who was not able to attend. The statement said that the backstop project at HWY 70 is completed and Kiernan, thanked Baseball/softball board for their work that made the project possible. He also said league basketball is now underway with 116 kids registered. There was also a lengthy discussion regarding a proposed pay increase that passed in today's meeting.

The court also:

• Approved lease between EC Fiscal Court and Community Action of SOKY for the lease of the Community Center for Head Start beginning March 1, 2018 through February 28, 2021 in the amount of $215 per month plus 25% of the utilities used in the building.
• Accept and approve installation of Community Center doors by Western KY Door
• went into closed session regarding litigation

Finally, it was announced that all new county officials will be sworn in by Judge J.B. Hines on December 20, 2018 at 8:30am in the courthouse prior to the regular fiscal court meeting. 

The next meeting is scheduled for December 10, 2018 at 9am.