Archive for March 2nd, 2010

Budget Committee Minutes January 26, 2010

mtankersley March 2nd, 2010

The Lawrence County Budget Committee convened on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 4 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room of the Lawrence County Administrative Center.

Members present were Paul Rosson, Jerry Dryden, Anne Brown and Jerry Putman. Also present was several other county commissioners. Budget Director Teresa Purcell and Ambulance Service Director Scott Storey joined the meeting in progress.

Mr. Rosson called the meeting to order.

Mr. Rosson gave the committee a report from Correctional Risk Services, Inc. on the estimated savings for inmate medical charges. Estimated savings are $71,703.

Mr. Rosson said that there are two ambulances currently owned by the county which are proposed to be declared as surplus property. One is a 2002 model and one is a 2005 model. These units would be sold on Govdeals.com with proceeds used to purchase a newer model vehicle to be used by supervisory staff.

A motion was made by Anne Brown, seconded by Jerry Dryden to declare these ambulance units as surplus property.  The motion was approved with all ayes.

Mr. Rosson next introduced Elizabeth Bachhuber with Schneider Electric regarding findings of an energy efficiency study of county facilities.

Ms. Bacchhuber then gave a presentation outlining the findings of her firm in its review of energy efficiency of county facilities.

Discussion followed on the application for an energy efficiency grant.

A motion was made by Jerry Putman, seconded by Anne Brown to refer this matter to a meeting of the committee-as-a-whole. The motion was approved with all ayes.

Mr. Rosson said he would work with Ms. Bacchuber on a potential date for the meeting.

With no further business, the  meeting was adjourned without objection.

Highway Committee Minutes February 18, 2010

mtankersley March 2nd, 2010

The Lawrence County Highway Committee convened on Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 4 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room of the Lawrence  County Administrative Center.

Members present were Ronnie Benefield, Denny Gillespie, Wayne Yocom and Bobby Clifton. Also present were County Executive Paul Rosson and Road Superintendent Donnie Brown.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the lease/purchase of a reclaimer grinder, road conditions, proposed new roads and adding 4” crusher run to road specs.

Mr. Brown presented the committee with information on a reclaimer that grinds tar/gravel. The Highway Department has been using Giles County’s reclaimer and their machine will be tied up due to road repairs. The Highway Department has considered acquiring a machine for the past several years. Mr. Brown said Thompson Machinery has such a machine available for $367,000 with a yearly lease option at 3% interest. The first payment would be $66,545 and a dock fee of $719.75. This would be a five year lease. After five years, the county would pay $1 and own the machine.

Commissioner Clifton asked where the money would come from. Mr. Brown asked the committee to find a way of funding the lease. Mr. Rosson said he could call a budget committee meeting for next week.

Motion was made by Denny Gillespie, seconded by Wayne Yocom to ask the County Executive to take the lease/purchase on the grinder/reclaimer machine before the Budget Committee. Motion was approved with all ayes.

Commissioner Benefield next asked about the possibility of approaching the state about federal money from the stimulus program. Mr. Rosson said the majority of stimulus money is going to state roads. Commissioner Benefield said if the county can’t come up with the money these tar and gravel roads are going to come up. The cost for a mile of tar and gravel would be $36,000. Asphalt is approximately $85,000 per mile.

The committee discussed two new roads to be considered for inclusion on the county’s road list: Keely Lane and Sarah Drive. The highway department has a copy of the cashier’s check and receipt from the trustee’s office.

Motion was made by Wayne Yocom, seconded by Denny Gillespie to approve these new roads. Motion was approved with all ayes.

Mr. Brown next asked the committee for a change in the road specs. On surface (6A) of road specs, he would like for 4” of crusher run to be added to the chert. This would be paid for by the developer. This is already done in the Lawrenceburg Planning Region. After discussion, Mr. Brown suggested taking this before the full commission.

Motion was made by Denny Gillespie, seconded by Wayne Yocom to present to the full commission to add 4” of crusher run to the road specs 6A. Motion was approved with all ayes.

Commissioner Benefield said a resident of Branch Drive asked for a 30 mph speed limit on that road. Mr. Brown told the committee that in 2012 every stop sign will be required to have reflectivity and by 2015 every road sign will require this.

Motion was made by Wayne Yocom, seconded by Bobby Clifton to put this speed limit before the full commission. Motion was approved.

Motion was made by Denny Gillespie, seconded by Wayne Yocom to adjourn. Motion was approved with all ayes.

Lawrence County Schools Earn A+ in Recycling

mtankersley March 2nd, 2010


Lawrence County schools and their supporters earned an A+ in the subject of recycling during 2009, keeping thousands of pounds of waste out of landfills.

Lawrence County’s 15 public and private schools and their supporters recycled 711,963 pounds or 356 tons of materials between January and December of 2009.  Those who contributed recyclables to schools helped them to win cash awards under the Recycling Contest, sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Transportation Litter Grant Program.

Ingram Sowell Elementary School claimed the first place prize of $1,200 in the contest by contributing 290,320 pounds of recyclables. Lawrenceburg Sacred Heart took the second place prize of $700 with its total of 58,373 pounds. Loretto Sacred Heart claimed third place with 42,245 pounds, winning $400.  Leoma Elementary took the fourth place prize of $200 by turning in 42,160 pounds of recyclables. In fifth place was South Lawrence Elementary, whose supporters recycled 36,340 pounds of waste in 2009 and helped the school win $100.

All other schools participating in the contest won $50 awards.  New Prospect Elementary contributed 31,660 pounds, Lawrence County High School 31,290 pounds, David Crockett Elementary 29,745 pounds, Summertown Elementary 28,370 pounds, E.O. Coffman Middle School 27,940 pounds, Summertown High School 24,530 pounds, Ethridge Elementary 22,780 pounds, Lawrenceburg Public 21,790 pounds, Loretto High School 19,870 pounds and the Seventh Day Adventist School contributed 4,550 pounds.

County Executive Paul Rosson commended each school and its supporters for another successful recycling effort. “Our schools continue to be a great partner in the recycling program,” Rosson said. “We are so proud of their hard work to lead the way in our recycling efforts.”

To participate in the recycling contest, households are encouraged to place their recyclables in the designated storage buildings located on the campus of each school. Recyclable items include newspaper, plastic items imprinted with numbers 1 and 2, aluminum cans, magazines, newspaper and cardboard.