County to observe New Years
Barton County office buildings will be closed Friday in observance of the New Year’s holiday. The Records Division of the Sheriff’s Office, the Health Department and the Landfill will be closed at this same time. The Landfill will reopen, regular operating hours,Saturday. Emergency services will be in normal operation.
The Barton County Commission Monday morning approved a special use permit for property in Heizer for the construction of a dog kennel in the unincorporated community of Heizer.
On Dec. 8, the Barton County Planning Commission held a public hearing to determine if a tract of land in Heizer, as submitted by Jeffrey Bosch, could be permitted under conditional use for the construction of a dog kennel. The land, which is located at 423 Walnut St. in Heizer, is currently zoned as Unincorporated Community District.
Bosch, who works full time for Midwest Energy, wants to build what can be described as a fancy dog house for use by his dogs and those of his friends, said Environmental Manager Judy Goreham said. He may also take in dogs to be trained.
“This is not a puppy mill,” Goreham said. “He doesn’t want to bread dogs.”
There were no negative comments during the hearing, Goreham said. In fact, some residents present supported the idea. The Planning Commission recommended the permit be approved without any conditions.
“Heizer needs some nice structures going up,” said Commissioner Jennifer Schartz. Even though this is a dog house, she said it will be nicer than some of the dilapidated structures in the small town.
In other action Monday morning, the Barton County Commission:
• Approved a new disposal fee schedule for tires at the Barton County Landfill.
The landfill did charge $1 for car tires (15 inches or less), $5 for truck tires and $20 for tractor tires. However, Solid Waste Manager Phil Hathcock said vehicle manufacturers have increased tire sizes on passenger cars such that the current pricing schedule is obsolete and difficult to implement.
In addition, he said the cost to the county to dispose of the tires has increased. This has meant that the landfill has been subsidizing tire disposal for county residents and has cost the county $2,000 this year.
The new schedule is:
Car, 15-17 inch – $1
Car/Truck 18-20 inch – $3
Truck, 21 inch and up – $5
Tractor – $20
This is still less than tire dealers charge, Hathcock said. Plus, those bringing tires to the landfill don’t have to pay the $10 dumping fee, just the cost of the tires.
The idea is to make this process convenient and economical, he said. “We want them to end up in the landfill, not in the ditches in the county.”
