Rich Pictor, director of the Versailles-Woodford County Parks and Recreation Department, informed the Fiscal Court at its regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 28, that a lengthy stand of trees along the northern boundary of Woodford County Park will be torn down by Marathon Oil, which owns a right-of-way on the property under which a pipeline runs.
Pictor said many in the county did not even know about the pipeline, given it was constructed in 1962. The pipeline transports refined petroleum products such as jet fuel, oil and gasoline.
Dennis Durnal with Marathon Oil emailed Pictor about a week a go, informing the county of the timing and details of the work. Pictor said there has been so much vegetation and tree growth on the property that it all needed to be cleared to maintain the integrity and safety of the pipeline.
According to the email from Durnal, the location of this pipeline was inadvertently left off the company’s routine maintenance program. The work will begin shortly after Nov. 1 and continue for four to six weeks. The pipeline is part of an 86-mile-long line that runs between Louisville and Lexington.
Pictor said the work on the pipeline will not impact the bike trail that runs on park property near the right-of-way, but it will diminish some scenic views.
The Fiscal Court did not ask any questions of Pictor or County Attorney Alan George about whether the county had any ability to mediate or affect the project.
Veterans license plates
In partnership with American Legion Post 67 and the county Veterans Commission, over the last few years, Woodford County Clerk Sandy Jones has been working through the logistics and funding to implement a program in which veterans would receive free veteran license plates. This required the involvement of the Fiscal Court to assist with funding.
The Fiscal Court passed a resolution to fund the program with $2,000, which, along with additional funding from Post 67, will ensure all veterans will receive their plates at no cost.
“I’ve dreamed about this for years, and it has been a privilege to work with Nathan Lauderdale at Post 67 and the Veterans Commission,” Jones said. “It is important to make it possible to give any veteran who lives in Woodford County a vet plate at no charge. I can tell you from my conversations, they are very appreciative, but it is important to understand they earned this with their service. I’m proud our office will administer this.”
Fire inspections
Woodford County Fire Chief Melvin Montgomery obtained the Fiscal Court’s approval to prepare and enact a required ordinance to allow the department to enter into an agreement with the State Fire Marshal’s Office for the department to become the designated deputy fire marshal for the unincorporated area of Woodford County. This reflects an initiative from the state fire marshal to have building fire inspections and enforcement be handled at the local level.
Montgomery explained the department is already doing inspections and making recommendations, and that there are not a large number of buildings that require regular inspections, though there are some restaurants and distilleries that do need them. Montgomery also explained that this “localization” will improve the county’s ISO rating, which is used by insurance companies in setting property insurance rates.
Woodford County Judge-Executive James Kay said, “The more things we can do locally, the better it is for all of us.”
Contract
The Fiscal Court approved a contract for $213,425 to Origin Electric for the design and installation of a new lighting system at Community Stadium.
Appointment
The Fiscal Court approved Kay’s re-appointment of Lori Garkovich to the Agricultural Advisory Review Board.
Treasurer report
Woodford County Treasurer Melody Traugott reported the current money market account balance is $12,027,641.77. The court also approved an engagement letter with Patrick & Associates, LLC, for auditing the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.office will administer this.”
Fire inspections
Woodford County Fire Chief Melvin Montgomery obtained the court’s approval for preparing and enacting a required ordinance to allow the department to enter into an agreement with the State Fire Marshal’s Office for the department to become the designated deputy fire marshal for the unincorporated area of Woodford County. This reflects an initiative from the State Fire Marshal to have building fire inspections and enforcement be handled at the local level.
Montgomery explained the department is already doing inspections and making recommendations, and that there are not a large number of buildings which require regular inspections – though there are some restaurants and the distilleries which do need them. Montgomery also explained this “localization” will improve the county’s ISO rating which is used by insurance companies in setting property insurance rates.
Woodford County Judge Executive James Kay pointed out, “The more things we can do locally, the better it is for all of us.
Contract
The fiscal court approved a contract for $213,425 to Origin Electric for the design and installation of a new lighting system at Community Stadium.
Appointment
The court approved the re-appointment by Kay of Lori Garkovich to the Agricultural Advisory Review Board.
Treasurer report
Woodford County Treasurer Melody Traugott reported the current money market account balance is $12,027,641.77. The court also approved an engagement letter with Patrick & Associates, LLC, for auditing the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.