WEST SILOAM SPRINGS, Okla. -- The Board of Trustees wants to hear from neighbors of a proposed metal scrapyard before deciding on the project along U.S. Highway 59, south of Best Western.
On June 10, board members tabled the project. It would include a metal recycling center and retail office space on about 10 acres along U.S. 59.
The Board of Trustees approved:
• Renewing the town attorney contract with Hartley Law Firm. The attorney receives $500 monthly for two meetings, $500 plus mileage for court each month, and an hourly rate of $125 for work on municipal documents such as contracts.
• Amending employee pay date from Tuesday to Wednesday
• Renewing contract for judge with Rex Starr for $750 per month
Peter Daniels with PARCS LLC proposed the project to the board.
Daniels said the retail space would be closer to the front along the highway, and a 4,000-square-foot recycling center would be at the back of the property.
Some of the metals the center would accept include aluminum, brass, copper and copper wire. It would also accept about anything that's metal, such as old wheel barrows and cars.
"Cars will not be processed at that facility," Daniels said. They would be taken to another metal recycling center for that.
A privacy fence would be built around the center, he said.
When asked which company would operate the recycling center, Daniels said he couldn't say because of confidentiality and that the company was going through a merger.
According to the Arkansas Secretary of State website, the "foreign address" for PARCS is 721 S. Lincoln St. in Lowell. That is the address for USA Metal in Lowell, according to the company's website.
Daniels said he has commitments for the proposed retail spaces from a Springdale business and a national franchise restaurant.
Board member Larry Williams said a neighbor across the road "is really concerned" about the project. Concerns include runoff, noise and hours of service.
Town Attorney Jot Hartley said a written presentation is needed for the project. "Get something in writing what you propose to do."
Board members also discussed whether the zoning would be appropriate for the scrapyard.
"We need to make sure it's properly zoned," Hartley said.
If a rezoning request is required, neighbors within 300 feet of the project would be notified of a proposed zoning or variance change.
In other business, the board approved the 2014-2015 budget.
The budget that was proposed to the board on May 13 was the budget that was approved Tuesday. The budget includes total revenue of $1.04 million for the fiscal year of July 1 through June 30, 2015.
According to the budget, the town would spend $120,000 more than it would take in over the fiscal year. A surplus of $150,000 from the 2013-2014 budget would cover this. So, the town would end the fiscal year in June 2015 with about $30,000.
"We really need to pay attention to what we are spending monthly," Mayor Elaine Carr said.
Police Chief Larry Barnett said that fines and tickets are down.
Board member Marty Thompson explained if an item is in the budget, this doesn't mean the board has to approve it.
The budget includes a 5 percent increase for all employees. Capital expenses in the proposed budget are $88,000 for police cars and $21,000 for a salt spreader.
General News on 06/18/2014