Commissioner Peak commended Bradley County Fire-Rescue for its efforts in South Carolina that was flooded by rain from Hurricane Joaquin.
Fire-Rescue Chief Troy Maney said a report he received at 3 p.m. stated the swift water rescue team had rescued 55 people. The first was a 17-year-old “who was clinging to a tree when they got to him. The one after that was a 91-year-old female in a house and another person who was an amputee.”
The team includes three fulltime and one volunteer rescuer and four pieces of equipment. They worked two areas, including Lake City.
“This afternoon they cleared an apartment complex,” Chief Maney said. The water was reportedly two feet to nine feet deep. “It was definitely over your head in a lot of places. They’re making a difference there and we’re proud of them.”
Vice Chairman Jeff Yarber reported the Litter Grant Pick Up Program administered by the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office removed 2,350 pounds of litter from eight county roads and two state roads. They also worked on the publicly-owned portion of Fort Hill Cemetery.
Vice Chairman Yarber said 19,842 pounds of litter were removed last fiscal year or about 1,600 pounds per month.
“This year in the first quarter alone, they picked up 42,735 pounds, which is about 14,245 pounds a month,” he said.
Vice Chairman Yarber also brought up an issue concerning septic tanks on Pickens Street off Spring Place Road, south of APD-40, beyond the city limits. Each of them have replaced their field lines two or three times. They are out of land space to add field lines and some have their septic tanks pumped three or four times each year. Some residents resorted to draining their washing machines through a water hose.
“Unless they sign on with the city, they are just stuck,” Vice Chairman Yarber said. “One guy got fined (by the state), but if he fixes the problem, they’ll take the fine away. I don’t know what to do.”
A sewer line runs alongside Spring Place Road that was paid for by a developer. Commissioner Peak said the city will not let them attach to that line unless they request annexation.
Commissioner Howard Thompson said, “The city is not going to do anything unless it’s inside the city limits.”
He said Ocoee Utilities is working on a line coming from Polk County, but that wouldn’t help them on Spring Place Road.
“I’m at a loss on this one, but I can hopefully figure out something to help them,” Vice Chairman Yarber said.
In response to a question, Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis said it would be two years before the county qualified for another sewer grant.
The commission approved the following agenda by votes of 12-0. Seventh District Commissioner Bill Winters and Fifth District Commissioner Bobby Goins were absent.
— A motion to approve eight parcels for sale as recommended by the Tax Committee. The map/parcel locations are available from Bradley County.
— Resolution 2015-53 to allow the Bradley County Environmental Officer to remove all debris, included the dilapidated structure at 7993 Eureka Road.
— Resolution 2015-54 to accept Bellingham Drive and Belle Chase Way within the county road system.
— Commissioner Robert Rominger proposed a motion to accept Henegar Farm Drive into the county road system based on unanimous acceptance by the road committee. The measure passed 12-0.
— District Commissioner Thompson made a motion to appoint Ann Cherry to the Ocoee River Regional Library Board of Directors (Tennessee State Library and Archives) for a two-year term ending June 30, 2017. She serves as president of the Friends of the Library Association and “is doing a wonderful job,” according to a letter of recommendation from the Cleveland Bradley County Public Library Board of Directors. The motion passed 12-0.
The next meeting is a work session Oct. 12, at noon.