Commission discusses possible road closure

Published 5:10 pm Wednesday, January 24, 2018

The Chilton County Commission held a public hearing to discuss closing part of County Road 523 during its Jan. 22 meeting.

If approved, the closing would take place on a section of the County Road 523 that comes off of State Road 22.

According to Commission Chairman Allen Caton, the state came forward and advised the county to consider closing the road, as it posed a safety concern for motorists.

Caton went out to check out the problem section for himself and said that it was “terrible visibility.”

Barney Pierce spoke to the Commission as a concerned citizen during the public hearing. He owns land on along the road in question, but does not live there.

Pierce was concerned that he would not be able to turn his equipment around when he bush hogs the property, if the closure occurs.

Caton assured Pierce that there would be room to move, because the county will have to do the same with its equipment and machines when servicing the road.

Commissioner Steve Langston worked it out for Pierce to setup a time with county engineer Tony Wearren, so that Wearren could go over his plans on site to help Pierce understand.

Langston motioned that deciding a resolution on the topic should be tabled until the next meeting on Feb. 12. His motion was approved.

In other news from the meeting:

  • The commission approved Kelsey Hubbard’s resignation letter with the road department effective Jan. 26 and approved a resolution to advertise and hire a clerk to fill the vacancy.
  • The commission approved a resolution request by probate judge Bobby Martin for $6,177 of line item transfers to cover the cost of a Xerox copy machine that the Commission approved purchase of at the previous meeting.
  • Tax collector Tim Little’s request was approved to hire Lisa Smit to fill a vacancy in the tag office.
  • The Commission also approved a resolution from Little to advertiser for an administrative assistant position in the reappraisal office.
  • Sheriff John Shearon requested two resolutions to hire Brian Stracener and Ronald Giles as part-time deputies with the department. Both resolutions were approved.
  • The commission approved allowing administrator Crista Madden to request quotes for financing on motor graders.
  • Commissioner Joseph Parnell called for an executive session at the end of the meeting. No action was taken at this time.
  • The commission approved the minutes from the Jan. 9 meeting.
  • The commission approved to pay the bills.