Council OKs historic home’s pool project, votes to fund cable TV upgrade

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, 11 p.m. — In a 4-2 vote, the Bardstown City Council accepted the Historic Review Board’s recommendation to allow construction of a one-story addition, garage, pool and covered walkway to a home at the corner of 202 South Third St.

Councilman Francis Lydian, left, listens as Councilwoman Kecia Copeland explains her view on approving a recommendation from the city’s Historic Review Board.

At the council’s Oct. 27 meeting, Councilman Fred Hagan asked to the council to delay approval of the Historic Review Board’s recommendation regarding the project to give the council time to listen to recordings of the HRB’s discussion.

After reviewing the audio recordings of the HRB meeting, Hagan said he believed the project did not meet the HRB’s guidelines.

Councilman Bill Buckman told the council he had problems with the proposed project because of two old wells on the property and the trees that would need to be removed.

The rest of the council spoke in favor of approving the HRB’s recommendation.

Councilwoman Kecia Copeland said the HRB had reviewed the project and ultimately approved it in a 3-2 vote.

The applicants also had gone to great lengths and expense to get an architect who was qualified to design the project to meet historic district guidelines.

“I just think that if we overturn something like this, then what about the rest of the people in the historic district who have pools?”

Copeland said the council should uphold the HRB’s decision.

In the end, Councilmen Hagan and Buckman voted against the project while the rest of the council voted

Systems engineer Nahom Ayele answers questions about the need for the city’s upgrade to eliminate cable TV subscriber problems.

EMERGENCY CABLE EQUIPMENT UPGRADE. After discussing if the need for the cable system upgrade met the conditions of an emergency, the council unanimously approved spending $207,975 to purchase needed equipment.

The city engineering staff had asked the council to declare the purchase an emergency in order expedite the process and to avoid the bidding process.

Several members of the council questioned the reason for the emergency declaration. State law requires the city to seek bids on purchases over $20,000 — unless an emergency is declared.

Systems engineer Nahom Ayele explained that while there were three vendors that sell the type of equipment needed for the city’s cable TV system, the only gear the engineering staff wanted to purchase was manufactured by ARRIS. Even if the city solicited bids from vendors, the staff would only recommend the purchase of ARRIS equipment.

Mayor John Royalty told the council that the equipment will help take care of the cable system “tiling” issue that has prompted numerous complaints from subscribers. If the equipment failed completely, it could mean an extended system outage.

NEXT UP. The council’s next meeting is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2015, in the council chambers on Xavier Drive next to the rec center gym.

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