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Pike makes plans for ATV trail By Russ CassadyStaff Writer The Pike Fiscal Court is looking to double its money when it comes to planning an ATV trail for the county. In it’s regular meeting Monday, the court unanimously approved allowing Summit Engineering to submit a 50 percent matching grant application for $100,000 to place an ATV trail somewhere in the county. District 6 Magistrate Chris Harris said the money, coupled with $100,000 the court has already received in coal severance tax money for the same purpose, will allow for the initial planning and possibly construction of a trail. “We’ve not identified any trail spots or locations yet,” Harris said. In addition to finding a site, he said, the money will allow for the court to find the necessary property owners. “We’ve got some money already, but the county wants to make the most of it,” he said. Matt Elliott, with Summit Engineering, told the court that, if the grant is received, it will put the project on the front burner. “Hopefully, we can go ahead and start this year on construction,” he told the court. In other action Monday: The court agreed unanimously to allow any proceeds received from the newly-opened recycling center at Ford Mountain to be put aside for the recycling center. Pike County Deputy Solid Waste Commissioner Mike Lyons said yesterday the facility can be self-sustaining and some of the money can be used to grow the facility. “Today we’re having our fifth load in less than a month go out,” he said, adding the county receives approximately $2,000 per load. That money, he said, could go toward paying for the employee who runs the facility and also be used to possibly expand the existing facility so it can take in more material. The court approved the budgets of both the Pike County Sheriff’s Office and Pike County Clerk, both of whom asked for no increase in their supplement from the county. The court approved obtaining bids for the replacement of a bridge at the Cox Farm Estates. Pike Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford said the bridge was originally destroyed in flooding and FEMA had denied the county’s request to rebuild the bridge. He said the county appealed the decision and FEMA finally accepted the project and will pay for it. The court approved charging a $50 non-returnable fee for anyone wishing to use the community room at the Belfry Courthouse, with District 5 Magistrate Hilman Dotson posting the only no vote. The money collected from the fee, Harris said, will go to the Belfry Senior Citizen’s Center.
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