Ridgewood Volunteer Fire Department receives grant

Commissioners approve opioid abatement agreement, sanitation policy

By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- County Commissioners met on Monday evening, approving an Opioid abatement letter of agreement, and sanitation policy procedures, among other business items on the agenda.

The letter of Agreement approved is for the Opioid Abatement fund disbursement for county entities.

TOP PHOTO: Commission Chair Johnny Bruce, right, shared with fellow commissioners about Ridgewood Volunteer Fire Department receiving a grant. County Mayor Jack Lynch is pictured at left.

The Opioid Abatement Council announced in the letter to the commission that $183,315.65 will go to Campbell County. Funds are designated for Opioid abatement or remediation in the county. Campbell County has a local committee that once funds are received will make recommendations on what nonprofit organizations will benefit from the funds.

Commissioners also approved a 22-page Solid Waste and Recycling Policies and Procedures for Campbell County Environment Services. The fees remain the same.

 Sanitation Department Director David Adkins said a signature page would be created and circulated after the policy passed for Commissioners to sign and that any time updates or amendments were made to the policy, it would need to be signed off on.

Other business approved was a grant contract with Campbell County Health Department and the State of Tennessee, along with a carpeting project for the District Attorney General’s Office. The state is to fund $10,000 for the project, with the county to complete the funding.

Dilapidated surplus items from the Campbell County Sheriff’s Department were also approved to go to auction. The transfer of a vehicle from the sheriff’s department to the Sanitation Department was approved. The Chevy Tahoe “no longer being used by the sheriff’s department” and is needed at the Sanitation Department.

Second district commissioner Chris Paul was approved to replace former commissioner Scotty Kitts on the Solid Waste Board.

Commissioners also approved the recognition of two sanitation department employees who have gone through training to receive their CDL certification. The two employees were unable to attend Monday’s meeting and will be at the next workshop for recognition, according to Commissioner Adkins.

On Monday evening, county commissioners recognized the county’s Volunteers of the Year.

Walt Buttrill was recognized as Campbell County’s Tennessee Volunteer of the year, while Isaac Jones was recognized as the county’s Tennessee Volunteer of the Year. They could not make it to Monday’s meeting.

At the end of Monday’s Commission meeting, Commission Chair Johnny Bruce shared the news that the Ridgewood Fire Department had called to let him know that it had received a grant.

At the end of Monday’s Commission meeting, Commission Chair Johnny Bruce shared the news that the Ridgewood Fire Department had called to let him know that it had received a grant.

“We got some really good news today; I mean some really good news. You know, we’ve talked about Ridgewood Volunteer Department and those guys are struggling and everything. Their fire chief, Joseph Roach, applied for a state fire marshal grant, I think the mayor had helped them some on that. The grant got approved, the grant total is $79,125.00,” Bruce said.

He reported what the fire department will be purchasing with grant funds including, “six sets of turnout gear, head to toe,” six air packs, 12 air cylinders, two thermal images and other training equipment.

“I just wanted to share that with you; the fire chief called me and he was ecstatic that they had gotten the grant; they had never applied for anything like that before and they were tickled to death,” Bruce said.

Commissioner Rusty Orick said he applauded the fire department for applying and getting the grant.

“They go the extra mile and apply for these grants, because that’s what makes them succeed. I’m sure the whole commission feels the same way. It helps us, it helps our communities. If there is money setting in Nashville, it needs to be used in Campbell County,” Orick said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-02/25/2025-6AM)