At the Spencer County Fiscal Court meeting on Sept. 19, members of the John Fitch Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) did a presentation honoring Constitution Week Sept. 17-23.
Vice Region Bonnie Downs was the main presenter, along with Region Joy Stopher, librarian Annelle Hoene, and historian Ann Hamilton.
This year is the 67th anniversary of Constitution Week. In 1955, DAR petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into public law on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The DAR has also erected a structure that is built in tribute to the Constitution of the United States. DAR Constitution Hall, which is a performing arts center, opened in 1929.
The aims of the Constitution Week celebration are to:
• Emphasize citizens’ responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution.
• Inform people that the Constitution is the basis for America’s great heritage and the foundation for our way of life.
• Encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787.
Downs presented some facts about the Constitution through trivia-based questions.
• Did you know that the Constitution was prepared behind closed doors with guards and sentries?
• Did you know that the words constitution and democracy are not mentioned in the Constitution?
• Did you know that there are two amendments that cancel each other out? The 18th is prohibition, and the 21st is the repeal.
• Did you know that the Constitution has 4,543 words, not including the 27 amendments?
• Did you know that the word Pennsylvania is misspelled? They left off an “n.”
• Did you know that two of the founding fathers did not sign the Constitution? Thomas Jefferson, because he was the ambassador to France, and John Adams, who was the ambassador to Britain.
• Did you know that you can read the Constitution at the National Archives in Washington, but only on Sept. 17, which is Constitution Day, can you actually see all four pages at one time?
• Do you know who were the oldest and youngest to sign the Constitution? Benjamin Franklin was 81, and Jonathan Dayton was 26.
“I want to encourage you to read the Constitution if you’ve never read it. If you have read it, I would encourage you to read it again. It’s a living document that is very important. It is the oldest and shortest written constitution. So, as we prepare for America’s 250th Celebration in the next couple years, let’s make the study of our Constitution a priority,” said Downs in closing.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS
Tourism appointment
Judge executive John Riley, with recommendation of the current tourism commission, appointed John Hamilton to fill the vacancy of the county-appointed position, with the term ending on Dec. 31, 2023.
Riley also reminded the court about the Taylorsville Lake clean sweep, and the Taylorsville Main Street Progressive Dinner on Saturday.
Also, the replacement of a propane tank and gas lines at the courthouse has started, and is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.
Communications from citizens
Scott Travis addressed the court with his opinion that the “more generic” voting card that would be proposed later in the meeting by County Clerk Lynn Hesselbrock should be supported by the court. The postcard would tell the public where the polls will be located at the General Election in November. “Since we are still at the ‘COVID polls’, we don’t want them [the voters] to be lost when they go vote,” said Travis.
Planning & Zoning
Julie Sweazy with Planning & Zoning read aloud several second and first readings of rezoning requests to the court.
The second readings started out with the application of David M and Ann Marie Williams from AG-1 to AG-2 on 6.85 acres located at 707 Greer Road.
Next on the docket was the amendment to Article IV, Section 403.7(D) of the Spencer County Subdivision Regulations of 2022, pertaining to widening of existing county roads prior to development when warranted.
Both second readings were approved unanimously by the court.
Sweazy then read off the first readings.
• Shannon & Julia Wright requesting AG-1, agricultural to AG-2, agricultural on 5.217 acres located in the 2100 block of Mitchell Lane.
• Brandon and Ashley Cantrell, property located in the 3000 block of Dutchman Creek Road from AG-1, agricultural to R-1, single family residential on 1.9051 acres.
• Proposed re-adoption of the current Taylorsville-Spencer County Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives per KRS 100. The Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives must be adopted every five years.
EM/EMS
EMS director Chris Limpp updated the court on his plans of continuing education within his department. Within the next few months, the county will have the opportunity to teach classes, such as advanced EMT, along with some others, to both current employees and the general public. This is a way to bring in some additional revenue.
Limpp asked the court for approval to purchase the needed materials to start the classes. After some discussion, the court asked Limpp to bring a presentation back to a future meeting with some specific financial data. “I think it’s a great idea. I believe in training, and re-training, and re-training. You can’t train enough. We just need figures on what you are going to need,” said District 4 Campbranch magistrate Jerry Moody.
Limpp also discussed a fire department in Carroll County that is needing some communications equipment. Limpp asked the court for permission to surplus the 14 or 15 old mobile units that were found boxed up in the coronor’s office. The court asked Limpp to get a list of serial numbers and present that list at the next fiscal court meeting.
Solid waste committee report
District 3 Elk Creek magistrate Jim Travis informed the court that at the last meeting, the committee approved the five-year plan that is required by the state.
Veterans committee report
District 2 Waterford magistrate Tim Brewer spoke of how well-attended the flag retirement ceremony was held at the Moose Lodge last week. Brewer also reminded the court that the Clarence “Joe” Aubrey Amvets Post 129 would be hosting a Suicide Prevention Ride on Saturday.
Election postcard
Spencer County Clerk Lynn Hesselbrock requested from the court, for the second time, funds for the printing and mailing of a postcard to inform voters of their options in voting for the 2022 general election. At the suggestion of judge Riley, the phrase “From the Board of elections” was added, but when it came time to vote, there was not even a motion made to pay up to $5,800 for the mailing.
ARPA request
Judge Riley once again brought to the court the option to pay for recently ordered heart monitors with ARPA funds.
Travis brought up the fact that this was voted on, and failed, at the Aug. 15 meeting, and he questioned the reasoning of it appearing back on the agenda. Riley responded that he wanted to give the court another chance, in case they had changed their minds.
Travis reminded the court that there was plenty of money in the general fund that could be used for this, and that he did not want to use ARPA funds.
The motion to pay for the purchase with ARPA funds once again failed with a 3-3 tie vote, with District 1 Taylorsville magistrate Mike Moody, District 5 Little Mount/Mount Eden magistrate Brett Beaverson, and Travis voting no.
County clerk shredder
Hesselbrock presented two quotes for the replacement of her office’s shredder. Since Hesselbrock did not have a preference of which one to get, Travis made a motion to approve the lower bid from M&M Office Products for a 21 gallon strip cut shredder that will shred 25-30 pages for $995. That motion was passed by all.
EMS stretchers quote
Limpp presented to the court quotes for annual preventative maintenance for the power-cots and power-loads for IEMS ambulances. .
The motion to approve Stryker’s “ProCare EMS Prevent” package at a cost of $10,406.17 was approved by all.
Road Department requests
J. Moody added some additional agenda items for the meeting.
He presented two quotes to the court for the restripping of Highview Drive and Miller Road. The bid from Atlantic for $3,102 was approved by all.
Moody also requested two new tires for a backhoe. The purchase, at a cost of $13,081.90, was approved by all.
Some ADS pipe was needed to be used at a price tag of $13,093.20, along with the restocking of pipe inventory at a cost of $61,096.20. The spending of a total of $74,189.40 was approved by all.
One of the recycling trucks needs new tires, along with a air hose needing to be replaced. A quote from Monroe’s for $855 for the tires, and around $200 for the hose replacement, was presented, and approved by all.
Flex funds
Riley spoke to the court about closing out the Flex funds account for the 2022 fiscal year. Some roads were paved before a contract was signed, so $109,860 that was allotted for that expenditure will be rolled over into the 2023 account, along with the balance of $10,992 left in the account. The estimated $135,639 in new funds, the 2023 Flex funds available will be in the ballpark of $256,000.
The next fiscal court meeting will be held on Monday, Oct. 3 at 9 a.m.