Franklin Furnace facility in need of maintenance

Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless was at the commission meeting Thursday pitching the need for new cruisers and a pickup truck for the department.

“The majority of our cruisers are worn out and becoming unsafe to operate,” Lawless said. “Our fleet is extremely aged and have very high mileage. We are in need of at least 10 cruisers and a pickup truck.”

Currently, the department’s fleet stands at 22 vehicles ranging from 1992 to 2014 models, with a variety of repairs needing done on the older models with high mileage.

“We’re at the point where our guys are sharing cruisers, which wears them out even faster,” Lawless said. “The reason why deputies have their own is because they cover different parts of the county, and it cuts down on use.”

Lawless said last year the department spent roughly $75,000 in vehicle repairs and nearly $58,000 already this year.

The cost of new cruisers, as well as a pickup truck, would be approximately $30,000 each. Lawless asked the commissioners to develop a plan to purchase the needed cruisers.

Lawless also spoke to the commissioners about a recent cursory check of the Franklin Furnace facility with Steve McKnight from STAR accompanying him.

He said the building was dirty and cluttered with furniture and office materials throughout, which McKnight said were for the sheriff’s department should they begin using the facility as a jail. With the exception of security lighting, the lighting throughout the building was shut off and the HVAC unit was set to its highest setting of 85 degrees to minimize the electric bill cost. Some of the wallpaper was peeling from the walls due to the heat of the building.

Also shut off was the water to the sinks and toilets due to utility cost and leaks in several of the pods. He said a distinct sewer smell permeated throughout the facility, which was more than likely caused from the dry toilets and P-traps being empty. STAR replaced the gaskets and internal parts of toilets in their building because they had dry rotted.

“I can only assume that the toilets in this building will require a lot of work before they are operational again,” Lawless said. “I also noticed a drip coming from the ceiling in cell #1027 of the Taft Pod. I don’t know if the roof had been leaking, if there was a water line leak or some type of condensation, but this should be looked at.”

The last thing Lawless mentioned about the facility was that the majority of security cameras were not working and that the computerized security system throughout the building and STAR were not functioning, although STAR is in the process of replacing its system.

“Since we hold a lease on the building, I think we need to get a legal opinion from Prosecuting Attorney Brigham Anderson concerning our obligation to this facility,” Lawless said. “This empty building is in need of maintenance and general care.”

Also at commission, the commissioners:

• Approved the weekly invoices and certificates presented by the auditor’s office.

• Approved four floodplain permits.

• Received and filed the dog warden report dated Aug. 6-Aug. 13.

• Approved the necessary transfer funds to repay the advance of Community Corrections in the amount of $15,000.

• Approved and signed the agreement between Lawrence County and Gary Ratliff to clean the boat ramps of Indian Guyanand Lock 27 at no cost to the county.

• Approved and signed the Floodplain Insurance Cancellation request form at property located at 11024 County Road 1 in Chesapeake as no longer required by Liberty Bank.

• Approved the property maintenance agreement between Lawrence County and the VFW of Proctorville for the floodplain property located at Plantation Estates, which expires Jan. 1, 2020.

• Approved and signed the mutual agreement between Lawrence County EMA and Catlettsburg Refining LLC as requested by Michael Boster, EMA supervisor.

• Approved and signed the Lawrence County Airport grant for Airport AGIS survey ad obstruction removal tree clearing.

• Received and filed the grand jury report dated Aug. 23, 2016.

• Approved and signed the Champion Energy Agreement to remove the address 100 Township Road 1273 in Chesapeake as county owned property.

• Received and referred the petition to the Lawrence County Health Department to take necessary actions to have five properties cleaned and made environmentally safe.

• Approved and signed the Warranty Deed between the Lawrence County Commissioners and the Dawson• Bryant School District for parcel 29• 007• 1610.

• Approved and signed the Local Area 7 Consortium Intergovernmental Agreement between counties in Area 7.