April, 2021
These sixth-grade students from Wurtland Middle School celebrated Earth Day by planting seeds which will become flowers for landscaping the school grounds. They earned the activity by reading horticulture-related books.
Russell seeks to remove Ferry Street building
RUSSELL – The Russell City Council had a long night at its regular meeting on Thursday, April 22, with an agenda that discussed everything from chickens to where to buy next winter’s road salt.
Two related items may have the most effect on the city’s downtown. One was to authorize the mayor to sign a lease on the depot with a couple planning to put in a microbrewery. The new business would offer specialty brewed teas as well as specialty brewed teas and promises to offer both an eatery and a entertainment center as well.
The establishment is part of a move to revitalize Russell that is already evident in the remodeling and construction going on primarily on Ferry Street, the main avenue in the city. To facilitate turning the town into a place that attracts visitors, the council also voted to begin eminent domain action against a piece of property at 407 Ferry Street.
That happens to be the Russell Convalescent Home, a long-time adult assisted living facility. It is adjacent to the railroad land on which the depot sits. While CSX gave the depot to the city, it still uses the graveled area for necessary purposes.
Mayor Ron Simpson said the eminent domain is for public use and that the lot will become either green space or additional parking.
The Ferry Street property has been a matter of discussion by the city council for years. It has heard complaints from businesses about residents and from residents about the blocked sidewalk. Over time, the home has adopted the sidewalk as an outdoor space, marking it off with plastic chains as an impromptu patio with chairs, tables and even a grill.
Eminent domain is a legal process by which private property is converted to public use. Kentucky law defines “public use” as ownership by a government entity which direct benefits the public and is most often used for projects such as the construction of the new flyover at Russell or to eliminate blighted area.
The process requires that three residents of the county serve as a panel to assess the fair value of the property so that the owner receives a fair price.
A fair portion of meeting time was devoted to a discussion of chickens and whether they should or not be allowed in the city. Ron Bartel, who owns an acre and a half of property within the city limits, asked the council to amend its ordinance on farm animals to allow a limited number of hens.
Citing ordinances from other municipalities, he suggested that a fair number would be six hens to every half-acre, which would allow him to have 14.
He said tending chickens is a good way to teach children responsibility and that having eggs from the hen house was not only healthier but could add to the local economy.
He said hens only squawk when they've laid an egg or are disturbed.
However, neighbors who remember when he had chickens before required to get rid of them, said the poultry was a nuisance to the neighborhood and were noisy than he said.
The council took no action.
It did, however, accept bids for paving and road salt, okayed zoning board appointments and talked about possibilities of grants for creating a city park from the old bridge approach area.
Two related items may have the most effect on the city’s downtown. One was to authorize the mayor to sign a lease on the depot with a couple planning to put in a microbrewery. The new business would offer specialty brewed teas as well as specialty brewed teas and promises to offer both an eatery and a entertainment center as well.
The establishment is part of a move to revitalize Russell that is already evident in the remodeling and construction going on primarily on Ferry Street, the main avenue in the city. To facilitate turning the town into a place that attracts visitors, the council also voted to begin eminent domain action against a piece of property at 407 Ferry Street.
That happens to be the Russell Convalescent Home, a long-time adult assisted living facility. It is adjacent to the railroad land on which the depot sits. While CSX gave the depot to the city, it still uses the graveled area for necessary purposes.
Mayor Ron Simpson said the eminent domain is for public use and that the lot will become either green space or additional parking.
The Ferry Street property has been a matter of discussion by the city council for years. It has heard complaints from businesses about residents and from residents about the blocked sidewalk. Over time, the home has adopted the sidewalk as an outdoor space, marking it off with plastic chains as an impromptu patio with chairs, tables and even a grill.
Eminent domain is a legal process by which private property is converted to public use. Kentucky law defines “public use” as ownership by a government entity which direct benefits the public and is most often used for projects such as the construction of the new flyover at Russell or to eliminate blighted area.
The process requires that three residents of the county serve as a panel to assess the fair value of the property so that the owner receives a fair price.
A fair portion of meeting time was devoted to a discussion of chickens and whether they should or not be allowed in the city. Ron Bartel, who owns an acre and a half of property within the city limits, asked the council to amend its ordinance on farm animals to allow a limited number of hens.
Citing ordinances from other municipalities, he suggested that a fair number would be six hens to every half-acre, which would allow him to have 14.
He said tending chickens is a good way to teach children responsibility and that having eggs from the hen house was not only healthier but could add to the local economy.
He said hens only squawk when they've laid an egg or are disturbed.
However, neighbors who remember when he had chickens before required to get rid of them, said the poultry was a nuisance to the neighborhood and were noisy than he said.
The council took no action.
It did, however, accept bids for paving and road salt, okayed zoning board appointments and talked about possibilities of grants for creating a city park from the old bridge approach area.
