HLRGazette Archives

Relive some of our best stories.

  • Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size

Wood County Commissioners Court

E-mail Print PDF
Meeting in regular session Friday, August 20, Wood County Commissioners heard a home owner's complaint about explosions being set off in the Pine Mills area and approved Meadow View subdivision in Precinct-3 near Hawkins.
Sue Muterspaugh, who lives on CR-3880 southwest of the junction of FM-14 and FM-49, expressed her concern to the court about "firebombs" being set off on property near her home. Muterspaugh, who spoke during the "public comments" period of the agenda, said the bombs cause a pressure wave from the sudden change in air pressure so severe that she fears damage to her home. "When the waves hit my home it feels like an earthquake." She pointed out that there are other homes in the area-some much closer to the detonation site than hers which is approximately ½-mile away.
Muterspaugh has contacted several state agencies and officials, including the Texas Fire Marshal's Office which she said advised her that there are "no state laws regulating the the sales, manufacturing, storage or use of large explosives in smaller counties" in Texas, only in counties with populations of one-million population or more. She said Mark Redlitz, assistant state fire marshal suggested she discuss Local Government Code Chapter 235 with the Wood County Commissioners Court and pursue the matter with her elected representative and senator to the Texas legislature.
A packet of materials presented to commissioners included a permit issued by the Texas Department of Insurance/State Fire Marshal's Office to "Extreme Pyrotechnics" with an address in Mansfield for a 2010 fireworks display on July 3rd at 7 p.m. on CR 3870 in Wood County with an alternate date of July 10. That permit applicastion identifies Scott N. Riddle, Fire Chief of the Hainesville Volunteer Fire Department as the "Fire Prevention Officer" for the display. Muterspaugh said the explosions she is concerned with have been set off on dates other than for the July 4 fireworks and are definitely not traditional fireworks, but what she identifies as "firebombs."
In addition to her appearance, Muterspaugh presented commissioners with a letter and with the letters of concern from three other area homeowners as well as correspondence she has received from the Fire Marshal's office and from State Representative Bryan Hughes.
The court took the Pine Mills explosives question under advisement.
Commissioners approved a plat for Meadow View subdivision in the Sandale community near Hawkins after review and hearing that the on-site septic plan met county and state standards.
A burn ban order was considered and tabled by commissioners. It is the second consecutive meeting that the fire index level was slightly above the limit recommended for consideration.
In other action the court approved:
- a two-week County payroll of $290,925.13.
- employee and family health care claims of $116,420.89.
- claims and payments totaling $345,963.55.
- advertising for commissary bids for the Wood County Jail. Bids will be due September 16 with selection consideration on September 17.
- identifying Mineola's Loop 564 as a truck route.
- fiscal year 2009 audit report.
- interlocal agreement with Andrews Center for 2010-2011.
- two new appointees to the Wood County Industrial Commission representing the City of Quitman. Sam Lange and John Abreau were nominated by Mayor Jerry Edwards to replace Charlie Thompson and Shannon Beech.
Personnel actions include:
- Sarah R. Threadgill, new hire, jailer, WCSO. $15.31/hour.
The next regular meeting of the Wood County Commissioners Court will be Friday, September 3, 2010 at 10 a.m. A special meeting of the court can be called with 72-hour public notice.