Light 'em

Ordinance allows old chicken houses to be burned

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

— BENTONVILLE - Thirty days from today, Benton County residents

will be able to apply for permits to

burn dilapidated structures and rotting

chicken houses on their property.

The process of creating and refining

the burn ordinance began in March

when Justice of the Peace Dan Dou

glas brought forward the idea to the

county Environmental Committee.

Allowing residents to burn the di

lapidated buildings will help eliminate

fire and health hazards presented by

the buildings, while saving taxpayers a

little money.

"We have a lot of buildings that are

unsightly and unsafe," Douglas said.

"This (ordinance) gives us a means to

control what is being burned and to

make sure something that is not sup

posed to be burned is not being

burned." Under the terms of the newly adopt

ed ordinance, residents will pay a one

time $25 fee per building they would

like to burn. Before the permit is ap

proved, the building will be inspected

by county Fire Marshal Will Hanna for

asbestos and other materials that might

prevent the building from receiving a

permit.

After a burn permit is issued, the ap

plicant will need to wait an additional

10 days and call Central Communica

tions to check weather conditions be

fore lighting a match, according to the

ordinance.

When all is said and burned, Hanna will once again inspect the building site to ensure that nothing was burned that was not previously approved.

Violators will be subject to a $500 fine and prosecution if a state law is violated.

ÃEverybody I have talked to out in the county that has an old building are all very happy this passed,î Douglas said. ÃThis is really a winwin for the county because it gets rid of the buildings and a win for the property owners who can get rid of them without it costing them a fortune.î

News, Pages 1, 2 on 08/12/2009