County commission goes to executive session four times

Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Bourbon County Public Works Director Marty Pearson, left, reviews new federally mandated sign procedures with commissioners as he sits in front of a 900-page manual and examples of old signage (left) and the new, more reflective signs (right). Also pictured is Commissioner Harold Coleman. (Laurie Sisk/Tribune)

Bourbon County Commissioners spent approximately 50 minutes of their three-hour session behind closed doors Monday in executive session dealing both with matters affecting attorney/client privilege and non-elected personnel.

The first of four executive sessions was a five-minute meeting under attorney client privilege and possible litigation with the commissioners, Clerk Kendell Mason and County Attorney Terri Johnson. No action was taken.

The second session, a 20-minute meeting under attorney/client privilege also included county sanitarian Tom McNeil. No action was taken.

The third session, a 20-minute meeting also under attorney/client privilege with possible litigation, included Dan Meara, who is an attorney assisting with tax sale work for the county. No action was taken.

In the final executive session of the day, Shane Walker, GIS Director, met with the commissioners, Mason and Johnson for five minutes regarding non-elected personnel. No action was taken.

Commissioners also discussed consultation with Johnson if Heartland Electric does not resolve an issue related to one of its sub-contractors, Chain Electric. Commissioners say Heartland owes the county $16,500 after Chain workers removed gravel from windrows to place utility poles after the September 2012 storms.

Commission Chairman Allen Warren stressed the importance of replying to road repair requests on the new county website and suggested that Public Works Director Marty Pearson pick a data base to use to log a history of the requests and actions taken.

"It takes a little time learning it," Warren said. "But it will pay dividends down the road."

Pearson also told commissioners he is trying to curtail an "it's not my job" attitude among a few county workers.

"We are all county workers," Pearson said. "We all work for Bourbon County and we all need to chip in and help each other," Pearson said.

Pearson also said workers have almost finished crushing at Beth Quarry and will be working toward beginning blasting at the George Quarry.

He also anticipated being able to begin base work on Maple this Spring. He also told commissioners he plans on contacting T-Works too see what, if any funds are available to the county through the state's highway program.

In other business:

* Commissioners approved trustees elected by various townships to Fire District No. 3 stations in Uniontown, Fulton, Devon and Mapleton.

* Commissioner Barbara Albright said she has had conversations with the Diamond Church Board about culvert work at the church. She said the church would like to know an estimate, as they will pay for the work and were very appreciative of the county's attention to the matter. Estimates for the work are around $1,900.