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By Anthony Richards

anthony.richards@clantonadvertiser.com

 

The public comments portion of the March 26 commission meeting included Kenneth Allison Sr. discussing road issues on County Road 329, a dirt road, in the New Convert community.

According to Allison, the issues he brought up were the same issues he had brought up at a commission meeting 18 years ago.

There are about 400 miles of dirt roads in the county.

According to County Engineer Tony Wearren, the road department took a ride on each dirt road in the county about four years ago. They evaluated each road and gave a grade based on criteria, such as the number of houses, businesses or schools along a road.

Allison used the road conditions as a reason for why some people that moved out over the years have not moved back to the community.

Due to the county’s financial situation, paving dirt roads are not currently in any future plans without an influx of revenue.

“There is no way to plan out of this,” Commissioner Joseph Parnell said. “To tell you we can fix it, we would be lying to you.”

The Chilton County Commission also showed its full support for a new aerospace manufacturing facility in Macon County.

Rep. Jimmy Martin presented a resolution asking for support in the project during the March 26 meeting. The commission unanimously approved it.

Although the facility will not be built in Chilton County, it is expected to have a resonating economic impact throughout the state.

“It may not directly impact us, but it helps our state,” Chairman Allen Caton said.

The facility is projected to create 750 new jobs as well as roughly 4,000 supplier related jobs that could branch out to the surrounding counties.

In other news from the meeting:

• The commission approved a resolution to lease four Canon Solution Copiers for the tax assessor, tax collector, reappraisal and tag offices. The contract is expected to save $500 a month over the next three years.
• DHR Director Marilyn Colson updated the commission on the latest discussions pertaining to the process moving along on the new DHR building, which she hopes construction will soon begin.
• Tax Collector Tim Little requested a resolution to transfer redemptions from the revenue commissioner office to the probate office. The commission will research it further and discuss it at the next work session.
• The commission approved allowing the courthouse restrooms to be open during the Chilton County Relay for Life event on April 27 from 6-10 p.m. Courthouse security will be staffed.
• The commission approved James Johnson as a member of the 911 Board. Johnson was recently elected as the president of the Chilton County Firefighters Association.
• An executive session was called by county attorney Fletcher Green to discuss legal matters. Caton also planned to talk about legal matters during the session.
• The commission approved the minutes from the March 12 meeting.
• The commission approved to pay its bills.