Daniel Prince
Ladder truck for Bonham FD added to needs assessment list
Wrapping up our report on Tuesday’s Union County Council meeting, council unanimously approved matching funds for a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission for a Regional Tourism Plan for Union County. The $21,500 in matching funds will come from the Hospitality and Accommodations Fund 215. Supervisor Phillip Russell said the match had been approved in January, but he had failed to specify the account from which the funds would be taken.
Prior to the meeting, Angela Kirkpatrick with the Catawba Regional Council of Governments held a public hearing on the county’s annual Public Needs Assessment. The assessment is done each year as a condition of being able to apply for Community Development Block Grant funding. The top priority on the list remains the extension of water and sewer lines to serve the area on Highway 176 between the Belk Distribution Center and the Spartanburg County line, as well as the Trakas Industrial Park and other areas not currently being served. Priority 2 remains seeking funding to address needs in low to moderate income neighborhoods, including water, sewer, and drainage work; demolition of dilapidated houses; housing needs; street improvements; and safety measures. This project is ongoing, and it includes areas of Ottaray, Buffalo, Monarch, Excelsior, and Union mill villages. The third priority that will be added to the list is to pursue funding for an aerial fire truck for the county. Bonham Fire Chief Scott Austin was at the meeting and stated that having the additional ladder truck would mean that the county departments would not be solely reliant on the City of Union for a ladder truck. He said the county’s aerial truck could serve to back up the city’s truck, as well. Lee Brannon also attended, and he said having a ladder truck on Bonham’s side of the county would be a big benefit to all the industries that are located from there to Jonesville. Elise Ashby pointed out that many areas of the county lack fire hydrants, and that might be good to include in the needs assessment, as well. The updated list will be presented to council for approval, likely at the next meeting.