lance.gaither@bluegrassnewsmedia.com

During the Boyle County Fiscal Court meeting on July 9, the court approved a one-year lease for the Boyle County Library to utilize the space for their upcoming story center project, allowing centers to digitize their family histories and archive Boyle County’s history.

Magistrate Tom Ellis objected to the lease, arguing that Grayson’s Tavern is too important historically to be leased and used for that purpose.

“The history of Grayson’s Tavern is the reason for the Westward expansion of the United States,” Ellis said. “To have an exclusive contract on one of the most important pieces of ground in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, I have grave reservations about going that route.”

Judge Executive Trille Bottom explained that she heard similar arguments in the past but that the building had sat vacant for over a year.

“It is about becoming a community partner with the library in sharing and restoring Boyle County history,” Bottom said. “What better place to do this than in the historical Grayson’s Tavern and Constitution Square Park?”

The lease can be reviewed after a year.

The court also approved the fall road paving list. The following roads will be paved:

• Yates Road
• West Knob Lick Road
• Nosco Road
• South Buster Pike
• Craintown Road
• Crain School Road
• Cocanougher Road
• West Old Springfield Road

The fiscal court also voted to officially dissolve the resolution in which the county and city of Danville agreed to jointly fund the Heart of Kentucky United Way. The agreement, signed in February, had been to utilize HKUW for administering public money to local nonprofits.

This was merely a formality, as the resolution would have been considered null and void. Danville previously dissolved its side of the resolution due to difficulties in working out the funding process.

There had not been money set aside in the county’s budget for HKUW this year, whereas the resolution originally stated that the county would fund them. Due to this, the agreement could not be in effect this year. The court will review the resolution and fund HKUW at a future date.

The fiscal court recognized three county employees to show appreciation for five years of service to the county: Gerald “Brad” Ellis, Timothy “TJ” Wren, and Hope Niklarz.