Published: January 13, 2009 08:37 am      

Burn ban back on books

By Janet Jacobs

Daily Sun



The county’s burn ban was reinstated Monday morning by the commissioner’s court. The ban forbids any outdoor fire, fireworks or controlled burns.

It will be a relief to volunteer fire departments, which have been struggling with grass fires and controlled burns that turn into wildfires.

On Jan. 1, fireworks caused a grass fire that burned up 17 acres and nearly took down two houses except for some quick work by five different fire departments.

“It could have been really bad,” said Chief Phil Calvin with the Navarro Mills Volunteer Fire Department. “We’re volunteers. Sometimes, we’re not close to a truck. We were able to get (to the Jan. 1 fire) quick, but we had a lot of help from Corsicana, Corbet, Frost, Blooming Grove and we had three or four trucks of our own out there.”

Firefighters in Kerens have had at least two brush fires last week that got out of control, said Chief Terry Bobbitt with the Kerens Volunteer Fire Department.

“If they don’t plow around it, or they go off and leave it, the coals can get stirred up and it goes to burning,” Bobbitt explained. “That’s when it’s really bad, is when it’s a grass fire.”

The commissioners are sympathetic to landowners who need to burn brush, but numerous fires in recent weeks have gotten out of control after sparks landed on dry grass, said County Judge H.M. Davenport.

“Conditions really haven’t changed that much,” said Eric Meyers, the county’s emergency management coordinator.

The 14-day outlook predicts more cold fronts and not much rain, he said, which makes for dry and brittle grass.

Commissioner James Olsen echoed the concerns.

“I’ve been in contact with several fire departments saying they’re getting worn out,” Olsen said.



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Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com



County hires geophysicist

Dr. Bob Hardage of Austin was hired to prepare a report on the “sour gas” well site O’Ryan Oil and Gas wants to drill on SECR 0070. H.M. Davenport Jr., county judge, said he wants commissioners to have a geophysicist’s report on the fault line in the drilling area before having to decide on the “special exemption” O’Ryan is seeking to allow them to drill.



XTO gets gas wells

Commissioners approved three specific use permits for three separate gas wells to be drilled by XTO Energy Inc. The wells are off SECR 1230, SECR 2210, and SECR 3140. The permits are contingent upon the company building appropriate fencing, and providing road bonds to the county commissioners.



Aquifer district option OK’d

Commissioners also voted to support the creation of an underground water district by four other counties, with the option of Navarro joining the district if a large company tries to set up and siphon off the water in this county, explained County Judge H.M. Davenport. The water currently isn’t drinkable, but it could be treated.

“We’re not getting into anything at this time, but should the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality force us into a district, here’s our district.”

Dennis Donaho, with the M.E.N. Water District spoke out during public forum asking for more information beforehand if the county decides to join the district.



Victim’s advocate OK’d

Commissioners approved creating a position for a victim impact coordinator, a job that’s mandated by the state, but isn’t funded by the state. The coordinator will make early contact with people who are victimized and offer to find them help. The county has applied for two grants to help pay for the position, said Melanie Singh, with the District Attorney’s office. The grant will pay all the costs the first year, but the county will have to increase the amount it pays for the next two years. In the fourth year, it will be entirely on the county to fund the position.



Block appointed to ESD

Ralph Block was appointed and sworn in as the newest board member on the Navarro County Emergency Services District #1. He will replace Bill Spae on the board.



County to recycle computers

The commissioners will dispose of about “a pickup load” of older computers this weekend, partly to clean out unused equipment, and partly to keep the equipment from ending up in a landfill. The county declared the equipment surplus, and will give it to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, which refurbishes the machines and donates them to public schools that need computers.



County gives Kerens room

Commissioners approved stopping maintenance on a section of SE 4010 in Kerens, and giving the right-of-way to the city to allow for economic development in the community.



Constables get support

Tommy Grant, Precinct 4 constable, was allowed a deputy constable, David Garrett, and some operating funds to cover maintenance on his vehicle and to go to training. David Foreman, Precinct 2 constable, was granted a surplus sheriff’s car to use in his precinct.



Lake P&Z actions echoed

Commissioners echoed the recommendations of the Lake Planning and Zoning Commissioners and approved SUPs for Paul Wilbur, Lester Thomas and Brenda Lots, as well as a replat for Luis Gervara. They turned down a request for a replat of two lots in Arrowhead, also on recommendation from the planning and zoning commission.



Mileage, uniforms discussed

Commissioners changed the county’s mileage reimbursement to 55 cents, down two cents; and approved a contract with G&K Services to provide uniform services. The county has debated having uniforms, or having partial uniforms, but is caught in a quandary about the comfort of polyester versus the potential tax liabilities. James Olsen said he prefers a clothing allowance, but was told it isn’t currently in the budget.



Finances on-track

The county tax collections are ahead of last year’s collections, having taken in about $3.3 million in December according to Russell Hudson, county tax collector. The county has $10 million in all its accounts, according to Ruby Coker, county treasurer. The county paid out $2.9 million in November.