FP Talks Trash - Southern Torch

Marla Jones, Managing Editor

FORT PAYNE, Ala.-- (Full video on Southern Torch Facebook) The Fort Payne City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 7.

Mayor Brian Baine addressed the Council regarding issues that the City is experiencing with sanitation and brush pickup. He wanted to let the citizens of Fort Payne understand that crews are working hard to keep Fort Payne clean and to please bear with them. Due to retirements and sickness, the Sanitation Department is short-handed.

Patrick Dunn of the Fort Payne Sanitation Department said another reason for the delay, was the large amount of trash that is being picked up. The department runs two full-time brush trucks and ten garbage trucks. He stated that delays were due to both, a lack of people and equipment. Council President Walter Watson stated that this would be addressed in a future work session.

Brush that is placed for pickup by the Sanitation Department may not be picked up for the following reasons: Brush is up against a fence, under a power line, debris is placed too close to a vehicle or mailbox, where the truck can not safely pick up. Another reason that brush is not picked up is that it exceeds the size for free pickup.

Mayor Bain stated that if it is too large to go in a regular truck bed, the amount is too large for free pickup. The price to pickup will be $80 per load. Fort Payne now has signs that will be placed in your yard to let you know that you need to call the Fort Payne Sanitation Department to arrange to pick up.

The Council approved the purchase of a smaller ladder truck, with a 75-foot aerial ladder, for the Fort Payne Fire Department. Due to the smaller size, the department will be able to maneuver in town but will still have the power to pull the mountains. One of the many benefits, according to Chief Stacy Smith is that the City would receive a better ISO rating.

An ISO is a score provided to fire departments and insurance companies by the Insurance Services Office. The score reflects how prepared a community and area are for fires. The better rating will keep higher insurance premiums for business and residential insurance at bay, according to Chief Smith.

“Often times the Fire Department receives the praise but if it wasn't for the Mayor and the Council, we couldn't do this,” stated Chief Smith. “They are the ones who keep this rolling.”

The position of City Treasurer was open due to Tricia Dunne taking the position of Human Resource Director. After interviewing the qualified candidates, the Council voted to hire Grant Ledbetter as the new Fort Payne City Treasurer. Ledbetter has worked for a company that conducted the City audit for the past three years and should easily transition to the Treasurer position.

Mayor Brian Baine updated the Council on many issues in his mayoral report, including:

The ditch at the Fort Payne Walking Park is fixed and the next step will be to put up a fence to keep people away from that area
The Force main on the south end of town is 40% complete
The old hospital demolition work is nearly complete and the Public Works crew will remove two large tanks on site.
Paving within the City will begin in 3-to-4 weeks, depending on interstate paving work. A Facebook post will let citizens know what areas the crew is paving.
The Building Maintenance Crew is currently working on the bathrooms at the Sports Complex and should finish soon
The demolition work for the Fort Payne Police Department is on schedule and the bidding process for work should start later this year
The City Pool is open from 5 am-12 pm and the Splash Pad hours are from 10 am to 7 pm
The City of Fort Payne 4th of July Fireworks will be on June 30, beginning at 8:45 pm. Due to renovations at the Sports Complex, there will be no concert event this year
Stated that the Fort Payne 911 Dispatch Center would not be moving to Rainsville and the Sanitation Department would not be closing despite rumors that are circulating
Fort Payne Farmer’s Market is now open on Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm and on Monday from 3 pm to 6 pm
Boom Days will be held on September 16 and 17. The band for Friday will be Dad and Company, and a CCR Tribute Band. Saturday’s lineup includes The Locals, Wildwood, Billie Dean, and Joe Nichols with various bands performing at the Coal and Iron Building

Mayor Baine finished up his report, thanking the Fort Payne Fire Department and the Dekalb County Law Enforcement for donations to the Patriots Memorial Park.

In other business: the Fort Payne Council:

Passed Resolution 2022-25, approving a one-time pay adjustment to retirees and beneficiaries of deceased retirees as authorized by ACT 2022-229
Approved the following activity permits:

Friends of Jimmy, Dustin Christopher, benefit event, Rotary Pavilion, Saturday, June 18^th from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Fort Payne Main Street, 5k Fun Run, Downtown Route, Saturday, September 10^th beginning at 8:00 a.m.