Watts sets record straight in regard to Old Courthouse window repair, replacement
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Tuesday, May 21, 2019 — Judge Executive Dean Watts responded Tuesday at Nelson Fiscal Court to social media critics who complained the county did not follow the same historic preservation rules that apply to other property owners in the city’s historic district.
The county had to follow the same guidelines that apply in the city’s historic district, Watts said. The difference — and the cause of some of the confusion — is that in the instance of the Old Courthouse, the county was exempt from the local Historic Review Board. Instead the local board however, the county had to obtain approvals from the Kentucky Heritage Council for its approvals on the Old Courthouse’s exterior renovations.
The first-floor windows were removed and rebuilt using original materials. Upper windows in the building were either replaced or repaired, depending on condition.
There were existing preservation and conservation easements in place regarding the building that
Watts said the county used the same type of windows that were used in the Talbott Inn’s renovation.
Watts said he wanted the public to know that the renovations were done with the proper approvals under the same rules that govern the Historic Review Board.
Watts made the comments in court when the Old Courthouse renovations were mentioned by Damir Saric, the owner of 120 North Third St. during his appeal of the Historic Review Board’s denial of his application to replace the decaying upper story windows in his building.
AQUATIC CENTER. Josie Hamilton, a Thomas Nelson High School senior who is on the school’s swim team, visited the court to make a presentation advocating for an indoor aquatic center for Nelson County.
As a competitive swimmer, she said local teams would benefit by not driving so far to practice. So many teams practice at Lebanon, they have trouble scheduling enough practice time.
An aquatic center’s benefit to the community include serving as an entertainment venue, providing a new source of part-time jobs for young people, and encouraging a healthier lifestyle for all.
The center would help fill the need for a non-bourbon activity for those under 21 and folks nearing retirement age.
ENERGY ASSESSMENT DISTRICT. The court discussed again a proposed ordinance that would allow special financing option for projects that utilize energy savings technology.
The ordinance would create a special tax district though it would not levy taxes against any property owners automatically. Property owners who have a building project would have to apply to Nelson Fiscal Court to be authorized to apply for special financing based on the ordinance guidelines.
Several magistrates said they had received calls concerned about the court approving any new tax district out of concern that it would mean higher property taxes for property owners.
Watts said the tax district would require the property owner to have a construction project that would qualify for special financing the district creates. No tax dollars would be involved in the financing, Watts said.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER. EMA Director Joe Prewitt presented the court with a proposed lease agreement that would allow the county emergency management agency to locate its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in the city-owned COBEC building on East Muir Avenue next to Foster Heights Elementary.
An EOC is a joint operations facility that is used during times of disaster or major emergency. Representatives from fire, police, EMS, utilities and other organizations are gathered in one room in order to expedite solutions in times of crisis.
The lease would allow the EOC to operate from at least two third-floor room in the building. Once the lease is in place, Prewitt said he will apply for grants to help prepare the facility for use as an EOC.
The court gave its unanimous approval of the lease, which is for $1 per year for 10 years with an option to renew.
In long-range planning, Prewitt also discussed the need for the communities in the counties to designate shelters to serve the local populations. Schools aren’t always the ideal choice because if a school is serving as a shelter, it cannot open to serve students as a school, he explained.
In other business, the court:
— approved first reading of the county 2019-2020 budget.
— presented a proclamation setting Tuesday, May 21, 2019, aside as Community Action Day in Nelson County. Watts gave Community Action kudos for the work they do to help those in need in the county.
— presented a proclamation honoring Sr. Pat Hill, the founder of the Montessori program on the Nazareth campus. She has taught in the school for 46 years, and is retiring on Friday, May 24, 2019.
— approved an amendment to the 2018-19 county budget.
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