County reinstates outdoor burning ban

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

In response to a rash of grass fires over the weekend, and with spring breezes picking up and no chance of rain in sight, the Caldwell County Commissioners opted on Tuesday morning to place the county back under an outdoor burning ban.
According to Emergency Management Coordinator Jim Parker, a significant risk exists fo

r grass fires in the county right now.
“We had one [Monday] that we think might have been caused by welding,” Parker said. “There”s a lot of fuel on the ground and a lot of wind, and unless we see some significant rainfall, we probably need to consider putting it back on.”
After very little discussion, the Commissioners took Parker”s suggestion and reinstated the ban. While the county is under the ban, outdoor burning other than in an approved receptacle can be considered a Class C Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500 per offense.
In other business, the Commissioners discussed purchasing door alarms for the Caldwell County Courthouse Annex at the corner of San Antonio and Commerce Streets.
The request for additional security was submitted by District Judge Todd Blomerth. According to Blomerth, two doors at the annex present particular security risks because of inmate transports and unrestricted access to the rear door of the building. He estimates that the new security systems will cost around $700.
Commissioner Tom Bonn suggested to the Court that he has been receiving calls from constituents about trash lining the county roads. Although the Unit Road System is responsible for collecting brush and bulk trash, they do not have the resources or personnel to monitor litter collection. Bonn asked the other Commissioners to consider introducing volunteerism projects or other methods to have the litter cleaned up.
In brief Court news:
The Commissioners approved the tax resale of five properties after an auction early this month.
They issued a proclamation declaring the month of February as National Boy Scouts of America Month.
The County paid bills in the amount of $52,539.43, including $1,065 in indigent legal defense.
The Caldwell County Commissioners” Court meets on the second, third and fourth Monday of each month at 9 a.m. in Room 100 of the Caldwell County Courthouse.