The county is installing Enhanced 9-1-1 or E9-1-1 system. The service is a telecommunications based system that automatically associates a physical address with the calling party’s telephone number and routes the call to the most appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for that address. The caller’s address and information is immediately displayed to the PSAP call-taker upon call arrival. E9-1-1 system provides emergency responders with the location of an emergency without the person calling for help having to provide it.
According to E9-1-1 System Coordinator Ben Partin, emergency personnel are rearranging the county’s address system to better assist law enforcement and first responders in case of an emergency situation. Unfortunately, most side roads and streets in the county did not have a name, until now.
System authorities are checking and documenting every address across the county as a part of the system update. Some communities, such as Hulen, Frakes and Beverly have already been notified of their permanent addresses. Miracle and Arjay are expected to be complete by the end of the week, Middlesboro and Pineville should be finished by March 20, and post office box holders will be updated last.
“All the addresses should be issued by the end of the month,” said Partin. “Mail service will not be interrupted and address change notifications will automatically update with most systems.”
Bell County Judge Executive Albey Brock said that officials have never had to name all of the county roads but now even some private drives have a name.
“It’s a life and death issue. This isn’t a matter of convenience or clerical necessity. 9-1-1 Enhanced is going to save somebody’s life,” said Brock.
Rural Secondary Program Director Don Breeding briefed the Court concerning State road projects in Bell County. Breeding discussed an $833,000 projected budget for 2009 road work. Breeding presented the Court with his top five list of road improvement recommendations. Those include: a one mile stretch Ky. Highway 1630 in Kettle Island; Highway 2011 in Stoney Fork; Highway 3484 up to Highway 190 in Big Laurel; Highway 1491 by Clear Creek Bible College; and Highway 1599 on Airport Road in Middlesboro.
“Stimulus money will be directed more towards Interstate work and the state money set aside for Interstate work will be redirected towards secondary roads,” said Breeding, “we should get these roads fixed.” The court approved Breeding’s recommendations.
The court approved the promotion of part-time deputy jailers Chris Thompson and Billy James Baker to full-time deputy jailers at the request of Rex Miller. Betty Hayes was reappointed to the Bell Co. Cemetery Board; her term will expire in 2012. Steve Green was also appointed to the Cemetery Board, his term also expires in 2012.
The fiscal court also approved the following:
• Minutes of the Feb. 2 meeting; payment of bills; treasurer’s financial report
• Sheriff’s claim sheet; Sheriff’s audit; Sheriff’s checks
• $ 21,349.94 payment to Vaughn & Melton Consulting Engineers for Hwy. 119 sight distance improvement project; $4,394.80 for work on Center’s Branch waterline extension; $17,681.73 for work on the Polly Hollow waterline extension
• $29,991.25 to Akins Excavating for Center’s Branch waterline extension; $111,879.60 for Polly Hollow waterline extension
• Fees and checks from Becky Blevins
• Amended and restated annual interlocal agreement with UNITE
• Signed resolution designating April 1, 2009 as Countdown to Census Day
•Buckeye Hollow, Caldwell/ Saylor Rd., Hickory Lane, Barlow Lane, and Larry Smith Hill were accepted into the Bell Co. Road System at the request of each district’s magistrate.
Sarah Miracle is a staff writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. She can be contacted via e-mail at smiracle@middlesborodailynews.com.
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