The trash drop-off site at Drill will remain open for at least 90 days.
Last month the Russell County Board of Supervisors voted to close the site after receiving a letter from property owner Harvey Gent. In the letter, Gent said he was increasing the rent to $600 per month.
At that time, Russell County Administrator Lonzo Lester and board chair David Eaton stated that the county was working to establish a trash drop-off site at Putnam. However, an agreement could not be reached with the Putnam land owner.
“I’m going to need more time,” Lester said during the Sept. 14. He asked for a motion to reverse the August decision to close the site. The board voted for that motion, with District 2’s Lou Wallace and District 6’s Rebecca Dye voting no.
“I will keep the board updated on the continuance of this,” Lester said, referring to efforts to find a new location or for the enlargement of the Blackford site to be completed. He said he needed at least 90 days in order to do so.
Lester added that there has been an increase in the amount of trash thrown along the roadside in the Drill area.
“It is hard enough to run the sites, let alone having to pick trash up on the side of the road,” Lester said.
In other action from the September 14 meeting, Wallace said residents of her district are receiving letters from Verizon, stating that the company will no longer service landline telephones.
“How do we react to this?” Wallace asked. “Do we go to Congressman Morgan Griffith and say, ‘Save us.’?”
Wallace said Verizon’s decision could have devastating effects on elderly residents who rely on Lifeline Alerts.
“I’m asking you to start thinking about how we help these folks,” Wallace told her fellow board members.
Board attorney Tyler Starnes informed the board that the former Oak Grove Elementary School has been sold. He said the auction took place on September 1. Double Down Incorporated purchased the property for $46,200.