ALLEN COUNTY, Kan. — Allen County Public Works Director Mitch Garner gave a report to County Commissioners Tuesday morning on last week’s fire at the landfill. Approximately 950 square yards burned in the fire, which was put out in about two hours by crews from four fire departments.
Garner said he and two other landfill employees remained there throughout the night to monitor about a half dozen hot spots, which were generally dealt with by covering them with dirt. Based on the depth of the fire, it’s believed it might have started from a lithium battery or something else that might have leaked or just “got hot.” They may never know the exact cause of the fire.
Commissioners received a recommendation from 911 Director Chelsie Decker on purchase of a new voice recording system for dispatch. Decker recommended moving away from Voice Systems to a product from Equiture, which will provide more capabilities, such as retrieving audio when needed.
Decker said an example of this is when a recording of a call is needed for court. The new system will be able to provide time-stamped information and they will be able to take out any unrelated communications during the time period involved.
The system will have a first year cost of just over $11,500, with a nearly $9,300 cost for the next four years. Decker anticipated having it up and running in September or October. Action on the purchase will come next week, as Commissioner David Lee was not able to be at today’s meeting.
Allen County Road and Bridge Director Jeremy Hopkins in his report to the Allen County Commission Tuesday said they have been doing chip seal work in the Petrolia and Mildred areas and other places.
The department’s pavement reclaimer is currently under repair after breaking down while working on 600 Road, cost of which has been estimated at around $30,000, and Hopkins said they received their new Mower Max cutting attachment last week, which they can use on both brush and grass.
Related to mowing, Hopkins said he has hired another person to assist with mowing, and he is looking at purchasing one of the mowers they are currently leading at the end of the season. Commissioners were also informed summonses are now being delivered in connection with the tax foreclosure suit that will ultimately lead to a delinquent tax sale.
