A proposal to close off County Road 1615 to allow Agcor Steel to expand operations was met with resistance by Berlin residents and hesitance by county commission and school officials Tuesday. 

The Vinemont-based poultry supply manufacturer plans to build a new truss company in the Berlin community, just north of U.S. 278 East. But its plans call for a portion of CR-1615 to be vacated, from where it meets CR-1614 to behind the Berlin Community Center. A handful of residents opposing the change turned out for the commission’s public hearing Tuesday with a petition they said had nearly 300 signatures. 

Marie Sanford was worried more drivers would use the community center’s driveway as a cut through to U.S. 278. Others cited the road as one frequently traveled to avoid U.S. 278. 

And there’s two other roadblocks. It would alter a school bus route to be “less safe,” according to Transportation Director Jeff Harper. It would also require a new water main line, running from the lake to Holly Pond’s water tank, be moved at an estimated cost of $450,000. It was installed as a part of the Duck River Dam reservoir project. 

With Agcor Steel President Zac Smith, Berlin residents and Harper weighing in with concerns Tuesday, the county commission decided to consider the options and address the vacation request at its next meeting June 13.

In pitching his plan, Smith assured residents he had thought about all the scenarios residents brought up. 

“ I do have the upmost respect for safety and how this is going to look going forward,” Smith said. “I want to restrict our customers and our big trucks that will be coming in making deliveries to one place. We don’t want them in the residential areas.

Smith said his aunt was a school bus driver for Fairview and drives the same route.

“My question for her was, ‘Do you want to be driving on the same roads with your school children as all these big trucks?’ I know that I wouldn’t,” Smith said.

Residents contended the road shouldn’t be closed to accommodate Agcor Steel’s development. Smith said he was open to discuss ways to resolve the issues and he welcomed feedback and questions from the community.

“If this is approved, we’ll work around it,” Harper said. “But it won’t be as safe.”

Agcor Steel employs 25 people and contributes $200,000 in local sales tax revenue, Smith said. Last fall, the county commission awarded it a $4 million tax abatement to expand to the new Berlin site, with the ultimate goal of all operations moving to the new location. 

In other business Tuesday, the Cullman County Commission:

Approved April 25 meeting minutes, appropriations, expenditures, payroll, requisitions and all journal entries to be posted.

Approved abatement for Topre America Corp in the amount of $21,236,691 for building and equipment. Cullman Economic Development Director Dale Greer said the expansion will entail a $21 million, 42, 500-square-foot facility with an additional line at an existing facility. It will create 54 new jobs with an average pay around $52,000 annually. 

Ratified the City of Hanceville’s tax abatement for Metrology South in the amount of $370,000 for land, building and equipment.

Held public hearing regarding CARTS operations for fiscal year 2018.

Authorized local matching funds for CARTS for 2018 budget.

Authorized submission of application for CARTS administration, operation, capital federal funding for 2018 with Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT).

Authorized Chairman Kenneth Walker to sign approval of the issuance of tax-exempt note on behalf of the Health Care Authority of Cullman County. The note is required as the hospital is lines up financing for capital projects.

Approved exempting county sales and use tax for the third weekend in July for back-to-school items as outlined by state law.

Authorized Chairman Walker to enter contract with Reed Contracting Services, Inc. for resurfacing CR-1568

Consider a bond release request from Drummond Company, Inc.

Authorized one-year contract with Ameritek for managed print services for the Revenue Office.

Appointed Tim Culpepper to the Healthcare Authority of Cullman for a six-year term expiring June 30, 2023, replacing Todd McLeroy. The appointment was made by Chairman Walker.

Appointed Beth Anderson to the Healthcare Authority of Cullman for a six-year term expiring June 2023, replacing Judy Butler. The appointment was made by Associate Commissioner Kerry Watson .

Reappointed Roger Humphreys to the Healthcare Authority of Cullman for a six-year term expiring June 2023. The appointment was made by Associate Commissioner Garry Marchman. 

Approved proposed plat for Hawk’s Nest – Phase 2 Subdivision, located in District 2 off CR-184. 

Approved raising speed limit on CR-747 from double bridges to Welti to 45 mph, up from 40 mph.

Declared surplus the following vehicles from the Road Department to be sold on GovDeals: 1991 Ford F350 Truck, 2009 International w/Durapatcher, two 1994 AM General Hummers and 1993 AM General Hummer.

Authorized $13,430.66 payment to F&O Architects, LLC for preliminary design work for the renovations of old rescue squad building for Commission on Aging. City code building code requires an engineer on renovations.

Authorized travel expenses for CARTS training on June 6 in Detroit, Michigan.

Approved $28,538 purchase of 2017 Dodge R1500 crew cab 4×4 from state contract, with federal funds covering $22,830 and the rest by the county $5,708)

Approved Revenue Commissioner’s request to purchase of one 2016 Ford Explorer off the State Bid List through Stivers Ford for the Reappraisal Department for $25,787.

Approved purchase of 2012 Chevrolet Equinox from State Surplus for the IT Department for $12,900.

Rejected bids for tires and county departments will be allowed to use the state bid list.

Rejected bids for print advertising and will rebid with defined specifications. 

The county commission will hold a work session at 8:30 a.m Tuesday, June 13, followed by its meeting at 10 a.m.