Wood County commissioners heard an update on the UT-Health Quitman Hospital Foundation efforts to build the Memory Life Center facility to care for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. The center is to be built on 29 acres north of Highway 154 and east of Highway 37. It will not only serve patients, but will serve as an educational facility for the UT Health Medical School in Tyler through the UT-Tyler facility.

“It will go beyond the Texas border. In 25 years these diseases will affect 25 million Americans. If this region was ranked by itself it would the 51st of 51 states. The opportunity is greater here than any other place it could be built,” Randy Dunn said. ”This will also impact the opportunity for jobs for employment here locally.” 

Dunn reported there has already been $833,500 raised locally for the project. “It will be an opportunity for patients to live healthier until they become unable to function on their own,” Dunn added. “The property will also give people the opportunity to go outside for activities such as a garden.”

In other business, commissioners approved special warranty deeds from the Union Pacific Railroad for the Wood County Relocation Project and approved the assignment of easement for the project.

A public hearing was held concerning the revision of Lot 6, Golden Oaks Estates. Commissioners approved the revision. A May 30 public hearing date was approved for the revision of Lots 318 and 319, Section 4 at Holly Lake Ranch Subdivision.

Commissioners approved reports from all four constables. Commissioners also approved the renewal of the Xerox lease agreement for the Wood County clerk’s office.

In personnel matters, commissioners approved a salary increase for custodian Tonia Lassen. Her salary was $17.86 per hour and is now $18.43. Cory Lindley was hired as temporary help in Precinct 3 for $12 per hour.

Claims approved were: payroll $441,024; health and dental $92,263; and accounts payable of $813,549.

At the workshop held immediately following last Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners discussed manufactured home rental community regulations. This concerns lot rental situations. 

Commissioners also discussed getting the word out on projects which affect property owners and their immediate neighbors. Property owners near or next to RV parks should be given notice and information concerning the implementation of a new park prior to any construction. There must be criteria established so property owners know about developments. Commissioners discussed the availability of water for the new properties.  

Commissioners also looked at adopting rules for on-site sewage facilities and coming up with a draft for the abatement of neighborhood nuisances.