Museum possible in the historic courthouse
Local Historical Society member Kay Harbison discussed the plans for the historic court house building.
By PJ Martin
Office/News Reporter, Metcalfe Division
Local historian Kay Harbison was in attendance at the Tuesday meeting of the Metcalfe County Fiscal Court to discuss plans for the historic courthouse being used as a small museum by the Metcalfe County Historical Society. Harbison stated, “We would like to put a small museum in the courtroom and two rooms at the back where Carol’s office was.”
“We’ve already got several things that have been donated to us. We have no place to put them. That would be a good use of the courthouse. It would give the school children somewhere they could come and see things related to the county, things concerning the county, the history of the county, and various other things related to it as well as tours.”
Harbison explained that they [historical society] would like to keep it open from probably April to October and the number of days per week depends on the number of volunteers able to work. The proposed name is The Historic Metcalfe County Courthouse Museum. Harbison remarked that it would take at least a year to get things done.
“We would like to have something in writing…for your sake and ours too,” stated Harbison explaining that the historical society didn’t want to have to come before fiscal court every time there is an administration change.
“I think it needs to be utilized for something like that,” agreed Judge/Executive Harold Stilts who was followed by several Magistrates in agreement.
A motion was made to get County Attorney Barry Gilley to begin work on the agreement with the Metcalfe County Historical Society.
Road Department
Road Supervisor Bobby Bunch gave an update on the road conditions after the first round of weather. “We got out 2:30 Sunday morning, got ahead of all the snow before everybody got on it ‘n packed it. Everything is running good, everybody is working together, gettin along.”
Magistrate Kevin Crain asked how many trucks and plows were available to which Bunch replied five, but that one more is needed to take care of the Center area.
Resolution
A Resolution was approved authorizing the Edmonton-Metcalfe County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) to use this year’s portion of the Regional Development Agency Assistance Program (RDAAP) Grant. This year the IDA received $50,000 which they are using toward interest and principal on the Spec building note. Each yer the fiscal court must approve the IDA’s intended use of the funds.
The TVA funds were designated per KRS Chapter 96 and the 2018 Kentucky General Assembly House Bill 200 back in October 2018 and provides $50,000 the first year, $100,000 the second year, and $150,000 the third year to be used for economic growth within the counties.
Other Business
A FEMA presentation by EMS Director Emory Kidd was postponed until the last fiscal court session of February because of equipment issues and crucial data not being received due to the government shutdown.
The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, February 12th at 9 a.m.
Road Supervisor Bobby Bunch reported that they were all out about 12 hours on Sunday cleaning the roads. PJ Martin/The Herald-News
