The big issue, the unsafe railroad crossing closing at North Broad Street. Mr. Will Miller of Norfolk and Southern Railroad encouraged the city council to take action to close the North Broad Street rail crossing.
Mr. Will Miller of Norfolk & Southern R.R. (photo by G, Morgan)
Miller stated by closing the N. Broad St. crossing the rail road and the State of Alabama Department of Transportation will install crossing bell and light safety devices at another crossing location. "The cost will be between $200K to $300K," Miller stated. He also commented: "I would not come to you tonight if this crossing closing was not an important safety issue. The FRA (Federal Railway Administration) recommends no more than 4 crossings per mile."
Issues and questions were brought forth by Council member Gary Spears about area safety and evacuation of people during an emergency response in the case of an accident blocking the tracks and isolating the north side of town. Mr. Miller replied: "People crossing the rail tracks is not the railroad's responsibility, it is a state and local government responsibility; the railroad does not get involved." However, Miller did say Norfolk & southern would gladly cooperate, if asked, in any exercise involving an emergency preparedness exercise.
Councilman Spears speaks about the issue of community safety and access to citizens north of the railroad in the case of an emergency. (photo by G. Morgan)
Mr. Miller was preparing to leave after the city councils question to him. Council President Matthew Hodges requested Miller to remain as citizen representatives of the community had questions.
Mr. Howard Hill representing the North Side Community and the Jackson County Voters League spoke.
Mr. Hill asked the question: "Will closing the crossing make the situation for citizens safer? Norfolk & Southern has an excellent safety record, but in the case of a serious accident involving hazardous materials how will we evacuate and how will emergency responders respond if the rail crossings are blocked." Mayor Potter responded that we are conducting a safety study.
My comment to this issue: The City of Scottsboro is ill prepared to deal with a hazardous materials disaster which may involve the north side community. A safety study should have already been accomplished. Emergency planning, evacuation and emergency access to the area should have already been planned. The citizens residing and industry located in the area should have already been advised of evacuation procedures and plans. Emergency response planning and preparedness involving the north side of town should receive a high priority for the city-an immediate priority. A lack of preparedness could result in a loss of life.
In other business: 1) The council discussed a $5000 budget amendment for the Fire Department to purchase needed safety equipment and maintain existing equipment. 2) Aquatic weed control: Citizens from the Driftwood Shores community expressed concerns that the area surrounding their boat docks are being infested by nuisance aquatic weeds. They have asked the city council to provide assistance concerning this problem. Mr Deerman, citizen spokesperson for the group stated: "We have approached the Legislative Delegation but they did not make a commitment to help with the project... State Weed Management (apparently the name of a contractor) said they would do the job for $15,600."
My comments: Once again this issue comes forth which should be expected. Clearing areas around public access areas is one issue, but to clear aquatic species from around personal boat docks is another issue. It is notable that not one person from the state, the county or from the city has stood before the TVA Board and requested that they perform their environmental steward leadership responsibilities concerning the control of aquatic nuisance species. There has been no-zero-none professional, impartial state biologist input from the Alabama Department of Conservation or TVA concerning this issue. Nor has there been any long term plan submitted involving this issue. Ladies and gentleman - that is inexcusable.
There is a group which deals directly with aquatic weed control issues in Alabama and the southeast. and associated with the state universities and departments of conservation. Info: "The MidSouth Aquatic Plant Management Society (MSAPMS) is a non-profit organization of scientists, educators, students, resource managers, administrators, and concerned individuals interested in the management and study of aquatic plants in the MidSouth region." Link: http://www.msapms.org
Council President Hodges stated he will ask the Roseberry and Driftwood Shores citizens to meet in the attempt to resolve the problem. "We need to be looking for a long term solution to this problem," stated Mr. Hodges.
Map of the Driftwood Shores area involving the aquatic nuisance species congestion.
3) Burn Permits issue. A Mr. Deerman approached the city council concerning burn permits in the city. Mr. Deerman suggested the city curtail burning unless there was a fire curtain installed around the burn area. Fire curtains are expensive devices which curtail smoke emissions from burning of rubbish. He stated a used fire curtain would cost approximately $14,000. The council and mayor will be visiting the issue concerning burn permits. 4) CDA, Commercial Development Authority appointment will be made at Monday's regular council meeting.
Reports: Council Member Bell stated, "in regards to the emergency evacuation for the north side of town there is an evacuation route north of the city up Tupelo Pike." My comment: I discussed this issue with Mr. Bell after the council meeting explaining to him that the issue of evacuation is not as serious as the issue of entry into the north side of the community in the case of a disaster with over a mile of track blocked in the city central location. His reply to me, "go around to Ridgedale Rd." That comment is true, but problematic and insensitive concerning the specific area problems. Delays could cost lives when time is important in the event of a disaster. If the Ridgedale Rd. access was not blocked the response time to an emergency is increased to 15-20 minutes to an area which the response time is normally 5-8 minutes. If the Ridgedale Rd. access was also blocked it is possible that access could not be gained for up to an hour.
It is my perception the citizens of the north side community believe they are being neglected and that city government does not represent the group of citizens north of the railroad tracks fairly. This continues to be a historical problem for Scottsboro.
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