By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 — Nelson Fiscal Court discussed but did not vote on a proposed ordinance that would allow “special purpose” vehicles — including ATVs equipped with safety equipment to make them street legal — to be used legally on the roads of Nelson County.
Earlier this year, the Kentucky General Assembly approved Senate Bill 63, a measure that would allow properly equipped ATVs and other vehicles to be used legally on Kentucky roadways.
The legislation allows each city and county government the right to decide if they wish to allow these ATVs to operate legally on local roads.
Vehicles that would be allowed include ATVs equipped with safety equipment including headlights, turn signals, a windshield, horn, brake lamps, brakes, seat belts, speedometer and a roll bar or roll cage.
To be used on the roadways, the vehicles would need to pass a safety inspection, require a license plate and be insured.
Magistrate Jon Snow said he could see issues with enforcement on the law. Other magistrates expressed reservations about voting in favor of the ordinance.
Assistant Judge-Executive Brad Metcalf told the court that they could take a “wait-and-see” stance and observe how the law is working for other communities that approve it. Washington County Fiscal Court recently voted in favor of the legislation.
WOODLAWN SPRINGS ZONING ISSUE TABLED. Though several individuals from the Woodlawn Springs area were in attendance, the court voted to table its review of the planning commission’s approval of a rezoning request to rezone a tract from Agricultural to R-4, multi-family residential.
The court received the transcript earlier Tuesday, and the magistrates said they needed time to listen to the audio recording of the public hearing on the matter.
The planning commission approved the rezoning request, and residents asked Nelson Fiscal Court to review the planning commission’s decision.
The court has the choice to hold its own public hearing, or base its decision on the original public hearing testimony.
The court will take the matter up at a future court meeting.
COURTHOUSE RENOVATION, HVAC UPDATE. The $1.4 million project to renovate the first floor of the Old Courthouse and replace the heating and air conditioning systems will begin on July 1st, Judge-Executive Tim Hutchins told the court.
The first floor offices have located temporary office space in the downtown area, while the second floor employees will move to office space on Parkway Drive.
The renovations will also impact Nelson Fiscal Court’s meeting plans. The court voted to move its meetings to the Nelson County Public Library starting July 1st through Jan. 1, 2026. If the project is completed in less time, they will move back into the courthouse when feasible.
In other business, the court:
— approved a bid of $213,466 by Hornback Construction to replace a bridge on Woodlawn Road.
— approved a $5,000 a month lease a new backhoe for use at the Nelson County Landfill. The existing one has developed transmission problems. Hutchins said at the end of the six-month lease, the court can decide if they want to purchase the backhoe. All the lease payments will go toward the purchase of the unit. The county will trade in the existing unit if they move to purchase the new one.
— the court recognized PLG-TV reporter Ginger Dereksen with a fiscal court certificate of appreciation, along with a certificate from the Kentucky House of Representatives recognizing her dedication to bringing important local news to the citizens of Nelson County.
PLG-TV was a victim of the City of Bardstown’s decision to sell its internet and cable TV system to Spectrum. After the system takeover, PLG was advised they would be kicked off the cable TV system on Sunday, May 31, 2025.
In addition to the loss of PLG when Spectrum took over, WBRT’s cable TV channel, BRTV Channel 19 was taken off the system without warning. More than 20 other cable channels were discontinued at the time, including the popular MeTV and GRiT channels.
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