Burnet County Commissioners Sept. 30 heard an update about area emergency crews’ response to an explosion at the Firefly Rock Ranch near Briggs.
County Emergency Management Coordinator Derek Marchio reported the explosion of a test rocket at the venue Sept. 29 was “easily contained” thanks to “great mitigation” and “low grass” levels at the facility.
Northeast Burnet County Fire and Rescue, Bertram Fire Department and Williamson County ESD No. 7 responded to assist at the site, Marchio said. “Their manpower and equipment was utilized,” he added. Marchio indicated no injuries occurred at the scene.
According to NextGen Global, “During pre-flight testing at Firefly Aerospace’s Briggs, Texas site, the first stage of the Alpha Flight 7 rocket was destroyed in an explosion.
“The company confirmed that all safety protocols were followed and no personnel were injured,” Next Gen continued. “An assessment is underway to evaluate damage to the test stand and determine the impact on future launch schedules.”
Transmission Line
In other business, commissioners reiterated a plan to conduct a public workshop to discuss the 765-volt electric transmission line proposed to run through the county.
The workshop is set for 9 a.m. Oct. 21, at the Burnet Community Center, 401 E. Jackson Street.
A representative from the state Public Utility Commission (PUC) is expected to offer a presentation and answer questions from the public during the workshop, Pct. 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle said.“We will put forth the effort to live stream it as well,” Beierle added, referring to the online YouTube channel the commissioners use often to broadcast meetings.
“There will be no action, the meeting will be strictly informative,” Beierle said.“The city (of Burnet) has signed off on it, and it is allowing our use of the center for free.”
Both Beierle and Pct. 4 Commissioner Joe Don Dockery indicated that barring conflicts, they plan to attend the meeting.
During the regular meeting one week ago, Beierle, Dockery, Pct. 1 Commissioner Jim Luther Jr. and Pct. 3 Commissioner Chad Collier discussed the transmission issue in executive session with Special Counsel Randy Leavitt and Attorney Consultant Margaret Pemberton.
As he has done previously, County Judge Bryan Wilson excluded himself from the closed-door session, because his family owns land through the path of the proposed line.
Immediately following the 45-minute session, Beierle announced the court is “heading toward a (lawsuit) filing in December” against proposed transmission line installation.
Burn Ban
Also during the Sept. 30 meeting, the commissioners decided the county burn ban will remain place until further notice.
“We are very dry at this point,” Marchio told the county commissioners.
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index monitored by the Texas A&M University Forest Service shows a reading of 549 across the county, which indicates a high level of wild fire risk, Marchio added.
“For the moment, all of our water moisture in going into the tank,” he added. Weather forecasters predict a 10% chance of rainfall in the county during the upcoming weekend, but it will be “inconsequential,” Marchio said.
Also for the county, the National Weather Service foresees “drier than usual” weather and “warmer than usual” temperatures throughout October, he added. “It is not ideal,” Marchio said.
After hearing from Marchio, the court approved keeping the burn ban on. As the meeting continued, County Treasurer Karrie Crownover reported county cash and investments records show a balance of more than $87.7 million through August.
VetRides
Also during August, Crownover reported VetRides received donations totaled at more than $2,300 to help local veterans acquire free transportation to local hospitals, pharmacies, grocery and retail stores or Veterans Administration Offices.
Call 830-613-9982.
Also during the meeting, the commissioners:
• Accepted the deed for less than 1 acre near the Briggs Community Center donated to the county by Ray Bizzell; and
• Approved out of the jail reserve fund more than $58,000 to purchase one Ford Expedition XL vehicle with eight seats for county jail transportation of inmates; and
• Agreed to schedule future regular county commissioners court meetings to the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.
Also, Wilson pointed out anyone planning to request items for consideration during future commissioners court meetings must e-mail the requests and support documents to countyjudge@burnetcountytexas. org or bring them to the Burnet County Courthouse Coordinator, 220 S. Pierce.
If a holiday occurs within 72 hours before Tuesday, an earlier deadline will be scheduled as required by state law.
Associate Editor Connie Swinney contributed to this report.
