The Centre-Piedmont-Cherokee County Regional Airport Authority has, during their most recent meeting, chosen to seek legal counsel in regard to on-going problems with installation of the fuel system at the airport.

Gadsden attorney Mike Haney has apparently been retained to look into the matter, as the system itself is still not operational even though the original completion date for that fuel system was set for April 15th of 2012.

Last November (2013) WEIS Radio obtained a copy of a letter from State Fire Marshal Ed Paulk that was sent to the authority following his visit to the airport on September 24th.

That letter outlined a number of problems – including the fact that he had not been able to see the design drawings for the fueling system at the location, thus, the drawings were not approved as is required.  According to that report – the examination of the system revealed that the tank was not properly attached to the foundation on which it had been placed, and mounting brackets were not properly attached.

It was further noted, that the filter vessel mounted on the fueling system doesn’t match the vessel listed on the submittal for the project, and that filter vessel installed appears to be a surplus part – with a portion of the manufacturers’ plate or tag missing.

The letter goes on to say that the item does not meet the requirements of the design criteria of the General Specifications as produced by Garver Engineering.

The letter finishes by saying that the fuel system isn’t approved for use, until the design plans are made available for review and confirmation that the unit has been constructed in accordance with approved plans.

In addition to Garver Engineering, those involved in the project include HMCI (Harley McGatha Construction, Inc.) and M&W Equipment out of Huntsville.

What may result from the action taken during the most recent meeting of the Airport Authority is still up in the air.