Garbage issues dominate Martin County Fiscal Court meeting

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

INEZ — The Martin County Fiscal Court’s regular meeting lasted for more than two hours on Thursday, mainly because of issues with garbage haulers.

Numerous people were complaining about their garbage not being picked up and having issues with the hauler. Martin County Judge-Executive Colby Kirk said that this was something they need to try and mediate outside of the court meeting.

Joe’s Garbage Removal owner Joe Robinson, said he had been turned away from the transfer station and that he had to haul his customers’ garbage to Ashland.

Martin County Attorney Melissa Fannin-Phelps told Robinson that he can be turned away for non-payment, but that she had sent them a letter letting them know the guidelines within the agreement, which included that the solid waste coordinator be notified prior. She also said the garbage has to be picked up.

After listening to everyone, Kirk thanked them for coming and then made a statement.

“We had additional complaints. I had a meeting with Joe’s Garbage Removal, and there was an agreement that fiscal court would do certain things and the hauler would meet certain requirements,” Kirk said. “One, generate monthly reports and turn in dump receipts; two, pay current franchise fees monthly; three, delinquent fees would be addressed three months from the signed agreement and as of this date, April 21, this agreement has not been signed and the hauler has not turned in reports or dump receipts and now the hauler has failed to pick up garbage for paying citizens.”

Plans were put in place to hold a special meeting regarding the issue.

In other business, Kirk read a resolution recognizing 911 telecommunicators as first responders, which was approved unanimously by the court.

The fiscal court also recognized Justin Marcum and Travis Johnson, who had been promoted to heavy equipment.

The court received three bids for asphalt and with a motion from Magistrate Derek Stepp, seconded by Magistrate Junior Hunt, and all in favor, they agreed to go with BTI Contracting.

The fiscal court only received one bid for roadside mowing from Dennis Moore, who agreed to do two countywide cuts for $13,998. The motion to approve Moore was made by Magistrate Roger Preece and seconded by Stepp, with all in favor.

The fiscal court received one bid for repairs to Preston Farm Road Bridge, which is a FEMA project. J & L Trucking bid $32,000, and a motion approving the bid was made by Stepp, seconded by Preece, with all in favor.

The court also approved J & L Trucking to make repairs to the Daniel Road Bridge, pending approval from FEMA for an extra $8,000 should the beams need to be replaced. The bid was $26,400 if the beams did not have to be replaced but $34,400 if they do.

A motion approving the bid with the stipulations was made by Stepp and seconded by Hunt, with all in favor.

Kirk opened bids for the historic courthouse improvements, which included two bids but for two different styles of units. He asked the court to table it to allow him time to talk to the two bidders regarding how it would affect the building and what all it entails since the courthouse is considered a historic building.

Stepp made a motion to table it, which was seconded by Hunt with all in favor.

The court unanimously accepted the proposal from Enterprise Fleet Management, who they said could also help them with their surplus property.

The court still has a grade-all, which they put a reserve of $6,000 on during last month’s sale and a Mack truck with a $55,000 reserve.

Stepp said he had been approached by a Fort Gay, W.Va., man who had offered to pay $5,000 for the grade-all and asked whether he could tell him that they would sell it to him for that. The court voted to sell it to him for that price.

The fiscal court members unanimously agreed to have Enterprise help them to sell the Mack truck.

The fiscal court unanimously approved a resolution in support of a National Heritage Area Designation, which is from Kentucky Wildlands and PRIDE.

The court unanimously approved a resolution authorizing Kirk to apply for grant funding for the redevelopment of Caney Shaft and unanimously granted permission for Kirk to advertise for proposals to operate the campground on the former Caney Shaft mine site.

The court unanimously approved the appointment of Nina McCoy to the Martin County Water & Sanitation District Board.

Kirk said he had seen the video online regarding the Martin County Water District’s plans to try and collect a fee from those who had not in years past paid a security deposit, unless they could produce a receipt.

“I am writing a letter to the water district,” Kirk said. “This is not the right thing to do.”

The fiscal court unanimously approved the acceptance of both the Martin County Conservation District’s Budget and the Martin County Extension District Budget.

In other business, the fiscal court approved the second reading of the constable vehicle ordinance, which stipulates requirements if they want to operate a motor vehicle in their official capacity; approved the minutes from the March 17 meeting; had the first reading of budget amendment #4; and approved the financials before adjourning.