By Kendra Peek
The Advocate-Messenger
PERRYVILLE, Ky.— A lack of visible house numbers could lead to problems for emergency medical crews coming to Perryville, according to Fire Chief Anthony Young “If it’s us, it’s Charlie (Parks), it’s the sheriff’s department, it’s people around and who know houses, know the streets, it’s not that big of a deal,” Young said at Thursday’s City Council meeting, adding serious problems could arise when emergency crews from outside the area have to be called to Perryville.
“There’s places in Perryville where the numbering system is not continuous,” he explained, which makes it more confusing for someone who isn’t as familiar with the city. Young cited a recent run in which responders were asked to assist with a medical emergency. They had some difficulty in locating the property. Luckily, he explained, it was not the major crisis.
He explained that there was also an ordinance in place requiring visible numbers three to four inches high. At one time, Young explained, the fire department would put those on for residents, but that this was not something that he wants to return to.
“We’ve got an ordinance in place that states that they have to do it,” Young said. “So we’re going to be working on that.”
The council also heard from Merchants Row renters Paul Webb and Jerry Houck, who informed the council that their lease had been terminated by Main Street Perryville, even though others tenants remain in the Merchants Row properties. The property leased by Houck is owned by the city and leased through the Perryville Battlefield Preservation Association and subsequently the Main Street program.
Webb asked the council if there was anything to be done to stop such actions from taking place while the situation between the PBPA and the city was being worked out. Councilman Billy Matherly told Webb that there was nothing the city could do, with agreement from City Attorney Lynne Coleman.
“If the city imposed some sort of burden on them that interfered with potential contracts that they have in the making, then the city could be sued by Main Street,” Coleman said. “I think there are a lot of unanswered questions.”
Bruce Richardson, PBPA chairperson, urged Houck to visit him, explaining perhaps the preservation association could do something, whereas the city could not, and stressed that the council meeting was not the arena to voice those issues.
In another matter, Councilman Brian Caldwell said he had been contacted by several residents living outside city limits city regarding the possibility of annexing properties into the city. He explained he had advised them to attend the meeting and asked the subject to be placed on the agenda in order to clarify why the city was not seeking to annex properties.
Richardson said it had been attempted before but stalled over agricultural conservation districts. He explained that when property owners heard of the possibility of annexation, several began applying for status as agricultural conservation districts.
“The walls started popping up,” Richardson said.
Caldwell echoed that, explaining that he had explained some aspects of the agricultural districts to the individuals. Both men stated that it could be a “costly” process, but Richardson added it would be fair, considering that in many cases the individuals living in the subdivisions just outside of town are receiving city fire and police protection.
Per the request of Judge-Executive Harold McKinney, the council decided on appointments to the Boyle County Ethics Board. Council voted to reappoint Doug Davis and Preston Miles to their positions on the citizen-run board. Mayor Anne Sleet was instructed to determine if they are willing to serve again.
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