County approves many agenda items in Kellyton area
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
During its February meeting the County Commission approved four agenda items related to the Town of Kellyton, including a letter of support, new road signage and bidding paving and striping projects.
Commissioner John Forbus presented a letter from the Town of Kellyton, seeking the Commission’s approval to show support of the town in its efforts to block a granite quarry from coming into the community.
During discussion Forbus said they are not against the quarry, just the location. As reported previously, he mentioned that the proposed site is in close proximity to homes and businesses in the Kellyton area.
In part, the letter from Kellyton reads, “It is our understanding that Mr. Tom Baker has officially expressed his desire to open or assist in opening a rock quarry in the Kellyton community on County Road 87. We are writing in opposition and to express our concerns for this type of business being opened in this particular area. We have very serious and valid concerns should this be allowed to open at this location.”
The letter went on to list eight concerns regarding the proposed quarry site, including its close proximity to approximately 23 homes that would be less than 600 yards from the property; air quality; impacts of blasting, including rattling windows and vibrating nearby homes; potential damage to the water source; detrimental impacts on the natural environment; additional traffic, noise and dust; potential backup of the train rails that run through the area; and foreseeable decreases in property values.
The letter was submitted on behalf of the Committee in Opposition to the Opening of a Rock Quarry at Coosa County Road 87 in the Kellyton area.
The letter further reads, “We truly appreciate any support you can lend to help fight this battle that we are in. We also ask that you look into possibly passing taxes for the material that would be pulled from the ground in hopes of maybe changing his mind. We understand that there could possibly be other things that the Commission might be able to look into that could possibly assist with blocking this from our community, and we would humbly ask that you look into these things.”
After discussion and reviewing the letter, the Commission unanimously approved signing the letter of support.
In related business, the Commission also unanimously approved adding 15-ton weight limit restriction signage to County roads 46, 87 and 50.
Forbus said those are roads surrounding the proposed quarry property, adding that Tallapoosa County already has restrictions on Hix Road.
In other business related to Kellyton, the Commission unanimously approved to bid a paving project on Church Streetm Old School Road and Gin House Road, with contributed funds from the Town of Kellyton.
Additionally, the Commission unanimously approved to bid a striping project on County Road 50 in Kellyton.
Also during the meeting the Commission heard from Justinn Overton with Coosa Riverkeeper, requesting that the Commission help promote the Coosa River Economic Impact Study.
While no action was taken on that matter, Overton also mentioned the quarry opposition in Kellyton, stating that Kellyton is between the Coosa and Tallapoosa watersheds. She said that she is working with the town on data and other information that might be helpful.
In other business, the County Commission unanimously approved:
- The six-year appointment of Charles McEwen to the Stewartville Water Authority Board, beginning March 2026.
- The purchase of three 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 trucks for $132,047.01 for the Highway Department, to be paid from the 7-Cent Fund.
- Chair Lamar Daugherty signing the interagency agreement between the County Commission and the State of Alabama Department of Human Resources, as is done annually.
- An appropriation of $1,500 to Volunteer Connections of Central Alabama Inc., which at the time still did not have a computer or internet service at its Rockford office.
Also during the meeting Daugherty reviewed the legislative report, and the Commission and Tim Hatch with the Alabama Department of Public Health discussed proposed changes to the Coosa County Environmental Fee Schedule, which was last increased in 1996.
In other business, the Commission dismissed into an executive session for approximately 10 minutes to discuss the good name and character of an individual regarding an agenda item to appoint Elmore Unbehant to the E-911 Board representing the Town of Goodwater.
Upon reconvening in regular session, there was no discussion and no motion made, so the matter died for lack of a motion.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Coosa County Commission will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 10.
Audio of the February meeting is available here.
