PALESTINE —
Due to reduced rainfall, increasing frost and winter winds, Anderson County commissioners ordered a burn ban for Anderson County during their regular meeting Monday.
The 90-day burn ban order was effective at noon Monday and continues through mid-March, but can be lifted at any time by commissioners if conditions change.
“I think it’s time we put it on,” Precinct 4 Commissioner Joey Hill said. “The grass is starting to dry, we have not gotten enough rain and we are getting a lot of wind blowing in.
“I think we should do it.”
The order prohibits outdoor burning in all unincorporated areas of the county. Those violating the burn ban order will be cited by law enforcement.
According to City of Palestine Fire Chief Alan Wilcher, outdoor burning is never permitted within the city limits.
Also on Monday, commissioners:
• APPROVED minutes from previous meetings, budget amendments and bills.
• HEARD from Stuart Kenderdine regarding liability insurance and approved the renewal policy for 2013.
• APPROVED the bid for a Wave System (silent alarm system) for the courthouse annex from SecureTech Systems Inc.
• APPROVED adopting a resolution for Expansion of U.S. 79 from Buffalo to Carthage.
• AWARDED bids on the following items for Operating Year 2013: Paving county roads, septic rock and base stone, iron ore gravel, corrugated metal culvert pipe, road oil (refined), cracked fuel oil, CRS-2, asphalt-treated road material, bituminous cold patch material, asphaltic concrete hot mix, gasoline and diesel.
• APPROVED updated commissioners court dates for 2013.
• APPROVED two Xerox renewal contracts for Juvenile Probation office and one Xerox renewal contract for JP 4.
• APPROVED a Xerox contract for JP2 to be paid out of the Justice Court Technology Fund.
• TOOK NO ACTION on the discussion of economic development negotiations in executive session.
Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com.
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