Lincoln County supervisors learned Monday that they are responsible for ensuring the safety surrounding a dilapidated, wooden bridge on Warren Avenue.

Canadian Railroad sent a letter two weeks ago to supervisors asking them to take action to either repair or remove the bridge. The railroad’s concern stems from the fact that the bridge is wooden. If it continues to deteriorate, it could produce debris that would create safety issues for the train tracks below.

The railroad produced an agreement that the board signed on Feb. 16, 2000, saying the board would remove, repair or stabilize it. County attorney Bob Allen said the county would be bound to the agreement.

County engineer Ryan Holmes recommended the county remove the bridge.

Chancery Clerk Tillmon Bishop asked if there was any way to repair the current bridge to a usable point, but Holmes said they would have to replace the bridge entirely.

District 1 Supervisor Rev. Jerry Wilson said he would like to see a working bridge in that area because currently there is no way to cross the tracks while a train is coming through downtown in an emergency.

“If something critical happens, you got to get across,” he said.

Roy Smith, a resident of Lincoln County, also voiced his concern with the bridge.

“It’s something I’ve complained about for the last 10 years,” he said. “I’ve waited myself at any given time 10 minutes.”

Smith said that if someone has a heart attack or other emergency the train causes a delay that can be detrimental.

The board asked Holmes to work up a cost-estimate as well as discuss with Canadian Railroad the procedures they would need to follow. The board also requested that a Canadian Railroad representative come speak directly to the board.

a Smith also voiced his concerns about the baseball complex with the board. Smith said the county needs to address other issues before constructing the complex. He said the east side of Brookhaven currently only has one fire station with one truck, and they need a police precinct on the east side. Smith recommended the board expand the A.L. Lott fields and use the remaining money to address these issues.

Wilson said Smith’s concerns were a city matter. The police department and fire department are both managed by the city.

“You’re jumping on the county for a city deal,” he said.

In other business:

• Rex Smith, a candidate for District 5 supervisor, spoke to the board about his concerns with campaign signs. In the last board meeting, Ronnie Durr, the county’s litter coordinator, said signs cannot be placed on county property including county right-of-ways, citing safety issues when bush-hogging county property.

Roy Smith said that there could be a conflict of interest since Ronnie Durr is also running for District 5 supervisor. He also said that it could be hard to tell where county right-of-way ends and personal property begins. Smith asked that if signs are not in the appropriate place that the candidate be notified before they are removed.

Chancery Clerk Tillmon Bishop said that county right-of-way generally ends where the ditch goes down and back up.

District 1 Supervisor Rev. Jerry Wilson said in the past in his district, signs are taken to the county barn but not disposed of. The board members said that they did not want to see candidates’ money wasted. They agreed to communicate with candidates if signs are wrongly placed.

• Durr presented to the board the county’s dates for the Great American Cleanup. The event will kick off on March 28 with a special hazardous waste collection from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the city landfill on County Farm Road. Paints, oils, pesticides, herbicides, chemicals, batteries, aerosol, asbestos and other hazardous materials can be disposed of at this time. Explosives, radioactive material and medical waste will not be accepted.

Dumpster days will be held from April 2 through May 3 to collect furniture, mattresses, TVs, building materials and similar items. Personal tires, refrigerators, air conditioners, stoves and other large items can be placed on the ground near the dumpster. Hazardous materials will not be collected at this time. Durr said with the exception of the Bogue Chitto site, all dumpsters will be located at the same place as usual.

From April 2 – 5, dumpsters will be on Monticello Street east of County Farm Road. From April 9 – 12, dumpsters will be at the intersection of Newman Road and Old Hwy. 51. From April 16 – 19, dumpsters will be at the intersection of Hwy. 51 and Bogue Chitto Road. From April 23 – 26, dumpsters will be at the intersection of Jackson-Liberty Road and West Lincoln Road. From April 30 – May 5, dumpsters will be located at James Case’s Store on California Road.