Landfill May Get Help; Recreation Plan O.K.’d

The Jasper County Commissioners learned Monday that they may have found an inexpensive solution for removal of the fiber material at the landfill that has been a problem for some time.

Landfill engineers have been working with the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to find a solution to the problem that won’t virtually bankrupt the county. The county is under a consent order with the EPD and has been moving forward with plans for moving the debris into a permitted cell at the landfill.

However, it’s possible that Earth Pak may be able to use the fiber. The company is asking that a sample, four truckloads, be brought to its facility on Hwy. 83 in north Jasper County. If the company determines it can use the material, the county could have a good solution to a long-standing problem.

The problem dates back to mixed communications between the EPD and Landfill Director Ken Tillman many years ago. Now, with the EPD’s approval, the headache could be solved.

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District 4 Commissioner Craig Salmon said he had talked with a man at the EPD, but all agreed anything done should be documented in writing by the county, the EPD, Earth Pak, whoever, so there is no problem down the line.

In another item of much interest, the county agreed to work with the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission on a Comprehensive Development Plan for Recreation. The estimated budget for the plan is $16,200, and the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) would fund $13,500 of the cost, NEGRC would contribute $1,500, and the county’s cost would be $1,200.

The county should know by the end of the month if the funds are approved by DCA, but they would not actually be available until July 1. This has been a topic of concern for some time, but the county has not been eligible for DCA grants since 2010 as its Short Term Work Plan had lapsed. Former County Manager Lorri Smith completed the plan earlier this year and submitted it on the county’s behalf, making the county eligible for DCA grants.

Recreation currently has a plan to expand the current facility, putting in football fields, but the comprehensive plan would examine all the needs county wide.

The comprehensive plan would include a community profile, existing inventory, needs assessment which would be determined by the community vision, public survey results, supply analysis, and the National Recreation and Parks Association guidelines.

The county also heard from Mary Alice Carter, chairman of the Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority at its meeting Monday. She told commissioners that the group is now working with the Georgia Rural Community Assistance Project, and engineer Frank Sherrill echoed that. He said that the authority is looking at water supply issues for county. He said Monticello is looking to increase its water supply, and countywide it’s in everyone’s best interest to know what and where supply is available. He told commissioners that it appears there is a good supply of high quality water in the Cedar Creek area of the county, and the authority has found some property owners willing to work with them. They want to drill test wells to be certain that the quality water is there.

Mr. Sherrill also reminded commissioners that we are part of the Four County Development Authority that has attracted Baxter International to Stanton Springs, and that Jasper County can probably expect some growth from that development. As tax abatements expire, the county will get tax dollars from Baxter, and more spin-off development is anticipated. He said that we need to know about supply and have the option of making water available at the lowest cost. He said the water authority is working on behalf of the commissioners to make water available before it is needed.

The authority’s secretary/treasurer Mark Walton presented the commissioners with a copy of the resolution signed in July, 2002, by Jerry Crow, commission chairman and Phil Peevy, administrator, saying the Board of Commissioners would pay the JCWSA for fire hydrants. The authority maintains the county owes it $94,085, which would be the budgeted funding of $42,982.50 in 2009, 2013 funding, and partial amounts from 2006, 2010 and 2012. The last county commission voted not to pay the water authority in 2009, saying there was no binding agreement.

Commissioners also briefly discussed acquiring the old Washington Park School.

Commission Chair Carl Pennamon said we need to know the ramifications before we make a decision. Commissioner Doug Luke recommended a new inspection. Commissioner Gene Trammell, who served as school superintendent here one year, said that he spent his career getting rid of old schools, and the thought of taking one back scares him. He said he thought it would be prudent to do the recreation plan first, and see how the building would fit into the equation, before making a decision.

Commissioner Craig Salmon said he thought that a cost benefit analysis should be done before the county could seriously consider acquiring the building.

There is some asbestos in the building and the gym, which the county would be most interested in has been vandalized, with no wiring left in place. Commissioner Bruce Henry suggested the commission tour the building before moving forward.

In other action at Monday’s meeting, commissioners:

•Agreed to a 2.5 percent commission on the TAVT for Shady Dale.

•Reapppointed Mary Alice Carter, Merrill Clark, and Jimmy Harrison to the water authority.

•Agreed to go to bid for roof repairs on several buildings and for flooring repairs at animal control.

•Approved the purchase of a bush cutter from Hays Tractor, and tabled a decision on a batwing and mower.

•Approved renewing the postage meter lease for four years.

•Agreed to continue budget negotiations next Monday, May 13. The commissioners met from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday before the regular meeting to discuss budget, and will begin making cuts next week.

•Heard from Cissy Benton, that the market on the Square opens this Saturday.

At the end of the regular session, the commissioners went into closed session to discuss pending litigation and personnel.

During the citizen’s comments, former Commissioner Mary Patrick expressed concern about the commissioners going to closed session for litigation. She also recounted her fight against Jasper County’s involvement in Bear Creek Reservoir.

Maurice Jackson and Melindy Bradley questioned the commissioners about recent bid specifications.