School board deeds about 3 acres to county for Summertown convenience center and ambulance site

The Lawrence County School Board unanimously approved a motion Nov. 28 to deed approximately three acres north of Price Road to Lawrence County so the county can develop a convenience center and an ambulance service location.

Mister Atkins told the board the county executive, Executive Morgan, had discussed the site with state officials, and the officials indicated approval for a convenience center would be more likely if the county owned the land rather than leased it. "It's gonna be close to 3 acres," Atkins said, adding that "the same requirements that we had in place for a lease would stay in place."

Mister Adams made the motion to approve the deed and Mister Rochelle seconded it. The board conducted a roll-call vote and the chair announced the motion carried with seven yes votes.

Atkins said the county expects to place both a convenience center and an ambulance service there and that the county would continue to maintain the property and follow the previously discussed stipulations to address visual and maintenance concerns. The board did not add conditions beyond those stated by Atkins during the meeting.

The board recorded the action as a formal deed rather than the lease previously discussed; Atkins said the change was requested to improve the likelihood of state approval for the convenience center. The district did not provide a timeline for when the county plans to begin site work or for when an ambulance facility might open.