Hillcrest Baptist approved as polling place

Published 3:05 pm Wednesday, August 30, 2017

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Hillcrest Baptist Church in Maplesville was approved as a polling place replacing South Chilton Fire Department after a decision was made by the Chilton County Commission during its Aug. 28 meeting.

Probate Judge Bobby Martin was present and informed the Commission that the South Chilton Fire Department would not be available during the next election period due to work being performed on the station at that time.

The situation was declared an emergency by the Commission and action was taken to begin the process of moving the voting location just down the road to Hillcrest Baptist Church.

George Lagrone came before the Commission during the public comments portion of the night.

He spoke about the road conditions on County Road 131 and how the roadway is getting dangerously narrow.

According to Lagrone, he has lived along County Road 131 for the past 18 years and has signed petitions over that time in an attempt to improve the road, but only minor action has been taken.

“This road needs some help,” Lagrone said.

Commission chairman Allen Caton explained to Lagrone that right-of-way easements have not been asked for by the families living along the road.

However, according to Caton, every person on the stretch of roadway must give permission to allow the right-of-way to take effect.

If one person fails to sign the petition, that ends the chances of it.

Lagrone was informed that unless there is federal money, there is no future plans to pave any dirt roads in the county.

In other news from the meeting:

  • A meet and greet of Chilton County’s new administrator will be held on Sept. 5 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Commission meeting room. The public is invited and refreshments will be available.
  • The aggressive animal bill will be discussed during a work session that will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 11, prior to its scheduled meeting that night.
  • The cost pool that the Sherriff’s Office is facing due to inmate healthcare was discussed. It was tabled and labeled as top priority for the incoming administrator, whose first day is Sept. 1.
  • The Commission approved a resolution to resend Gerald Arrington’s line item transfer from the Aug. 14 meeting and approved a new resolution to transfer a line item of $1,200 from Minooka Park to Higgins Ferry.
  • Approved date change of work session scheduled for Sept. 4 to Sept. 5, due to the Labor Day holiday.
  • The meeting came to an end with an executive session that was called by county attorney Fletcher Green to discuss potential litigation.