Commissioners Approve Cost Of New Fire Alarm System At Jail

Last updated on Wednesday, April 22, 2015

(BEDFORD) - The Lawrence County Commissioners approved the cost to install a new fire alarm at the Lawrence County Jail.

Sheriff Mike Branham received three bids for the project. The lowest bid, from Vanguard Fire & Security Systems, Inc., was approved at $31,875 on the condition that any change orders must be under 5 percent of the project cost.

Sheriff Branham explained that the jail's current system is out-dated, making it difficult to purchase replacement parts.

"Currently the trouble alarm is not working, but we have not been able to find the replacement part to make repairs and today is our annual inspection," Branham added. "They are aware of the problem and about the new system being purchased."

In other business:

Sheriff Branham reported there were 119 inmates being housed at the Jail Tuesday morning, of those 21 were women and 5 were Department of Correction holds.

Sheriff Branham and Chief Deputy Aaron Shoults visited a Seymour warehouse to look at their public addressing system. It is the same system the commissioner approved to be installed at the courthouse and courthouse plaza.

"We were impressed with the system," Branham says.

The cost is $13,000 - which includes one system for each building.

The wireless system would allow officers to notify courthouse staff and those conducting business in the buildings to weather emergencies, like tornado warnings, or other events, like a possible bomb threat.

The system also includes a message board for those that are hearing impaired.

Sheriff Branham and County Attorney David Smith will work on drafting an ordinance to change shift hours for deputies to better serve the community.

After conducting a study of peak times when officers are needed, Sheriff Branham found having some officers on 12 or 10 hours shifts would help with quicker response times and better police coverage in the county.

Smith has some concerns about the policy being in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and federal regulations, so the two will meet to work out the details of the ordinance.

Lawrence County Americans with Disability Acts Valerie Luchauer reported no one showed at the public hearing on the county's proposed ADA action plan. The county will now hold a hearing to finalize the plan. The plan identified problems, then recommend and prioritize projects that will bring the county into compliance with ADA.

Luchauer, who is also the emergency manager director, reported she has given away several weather radios to citizens and veterans. She also has a radio at each of the county's compact sites.

The commissioners approved the appointment of Taylor Fleetwood to the Lawrence County Tourism Commission Board. He will replace Diana Murphy who stepped down.

The bridge on Lawrenceport Road will be inspected Thursday. A vehicle fell into a pot hole on the bridge, forcing the county to close the bridge for safety reasons.

The commissioners granted permission for Harry Atchison to purchase and place a sign on Kings Ridge Road naming the hill Atchison Hill. The sign must be place on Atchison's property and not the county right of way.

The commissioners had plans for the courthouse grounds renovation project. The commissioners reported they are closer to gathering bids for the project. Once the bids are received they will be reviewed and scored. The committee will make recommendation and then the Bedford Board of Works will award the contracts. During the renovations Duke Energy has requested that the lights and poles surrounding the courthouse be replaced. The poles are becoming a hazard because of years of deterioration.

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