Brown County Commissioners enacted a county-wide burn ban at Monday morning’s meeting of the court.
According to Commissioner Joel Kelton, Precinct 2, “Everyone has been asking to have a ban enacted.” He stated that the ban may help prevent fires; however the most recent grassfires have mostly been controlled burns that got out of control.
Commissioner Larry Traweek stated that this weekend there were two grassfires in Precinct 4 that were caused by fireworks.
The order issued stated that the burn ban was placed into effect because of the finding by the court that circumstances present in all or part of the county create a safety hazard exacerbated by outdoor burning. The ban would prohibit all outdoor burning for a period of 90 days, according to the court. The burn ban will not affect the use of fireworks by the public.
In other matters on Monday’s agenda:
*Commissioner Precinct 3 Wayne Shaw received approval for $1000/year raises for two employees who have made it through the probationary period for new hires. The raises are to be paid from funds available in the current fiscal year’s budget of his precinct.*Jason Scantling of TxDOT discussed the highway bridge program and stated that two of Brown County’s bridges were eligible for federal and state funding for repairs or reconstruction.
*Brown County Museum of History Board President Beverly Norris gave the court an update on the museum’s recent roof repairs stating that the museum is already seeing the benefits from the newly installed efficient and reflective roofing materials installed. She thanked commissioners for their support of the museum.
*Commissioner Gary Worley, Precinct 1, received approval of an application from Brown Industrial Gas to install a private line after a gas leak was found on County Road 225. The repair will require a cut halfway across the road to repair.
*Worley also received approval of another application from Brown Industrial Gas to repair another lead on CR 228 in a paved section of the roadway. This repair will be done by boring under the roadway.
*Commissioner Kelton received approval for Westbound Water Supply Corporation of Eastland to install a private water line along 1000 feet of the bar ditch of CR 415, the installation will also require a cut into the caliche roadway.
*Joe Shaw of the Brown County Probation Office received approval to replace the carpeting in the probation offices and entry. The cost of the carpeting, using carpet tiles, $8,447 through a bid awarded to Brownwood Decorating.
