New hurdles for the White County School Board as it tries to deed a small portion of property over to the BonDeCroft Volunteer Fire Department.
The Fire Department cannot make improvements or apply for grants because the station sits on the school system’s property. School Board Member Terri Douglas told BonDeCroft Fire Chief Shannon Smith that one of the hurdles is getting the community on board.
“I have spoken to many people that live up there on the mountain,” Douglas said. “Some have called, some have emailed, some have even come by the house, and they are not in favor of this transaction at all. Their concerns are just giving the property away.”
Smith appeared to be blindsided by the lack of decision and questioned whether the community understands that the fire department protects them.
“I know when we talked earlier, and you all said it would be approved, so it’s even known black and white before November,” Smith said. “So, I’m just curious why the sudden change.”
Smith said the station has been used as an emergency shelter for the community during bad weather in the past. School Board Member Sherri Stone said presenting the emergency shelter aspect might get more people on board.
“There are several snowstorms, people have been out of power for weeks, and no heat and stuff like that,” Stone said. “That would be a good avenue to promoting it.”
Another problem, getting the department recognized as a non-profit. Chairman Bob Young said the school system cannot legally deed a property to an individual and that the fire department could only receive the property if the department becomes an entity recognized by the state.
The school board ultimately did not decide on deeding the property over.
