The Pearl River County Board of Supervisors heard a complaint from a county resident about Verizon Communications placing a cell phone tower on her property line.

Bonnie Evans, who lives at 457 Wayne Pardue Rd. in Lumberton, claims her neighbor sold a portion of his land to Verizon so that the company could install a cell phone tower. While the tower is not on her land, but it sits near her property line.

Evans said she called Verizon to make a complaint after the company started construction yesterday, but was directed to speak to her local government.

Evans claims she was never notified and that she worries about trying to sell her house, which is what she and her husband were preparing to do. She asked the board who would be responsible for the loss on the value of her property.

Joe Montgomery, board attorney, said Verizon Communications would be responsible for that loss.

Supervisor Sandy Kane Smith, who was acting board president in the absence of J. Patrick Lee, said the board encountered a similar problem in Henleyfield a few years ago.

Supervisor Anthony Hales said the reason why the board is not able to do anything to stop construction or prevent companies coming in and building in residential areas is because there are no zoning laws for resident living outside of a city in Pearl River County.

“We have no zoning laws that says it’s a residential area,” Hales said. “You’re just being taxed for how you’re using the property.”

Adrain Lumpkin, county administrator, explained that it is not legally required for Verizon to send out notifications to each individual in the area. Posting a notice on the county courthouse doors qualifies as a legal notice to the public.

“We ain’t passing the buck. We’re telling the truth. We can’t do anything about it,”

 Smith said.

Hales questioned a request submitted to Dale Miller, the county road manager, by the Poplarville airport about the installation of a new driveway.

Miller said a second entrance was requested for the RC field. He said he was told there had been some interfering at the air field with people accessing the RC field.

Hales questioned whether the county should be responsible for the project since it has no access to a portion of the airport that creates tax revenue.

Miller said it should be “a pretty quick and simple” project.

After much discussion, the board decided to look into the project further before taking any action.

Miller also requested the board approve a 36-month leasing contract with Stribling Equipment and a 48-month leasing agreement with Puckett Machinery for equipment. Both companies had the lowest and best bids.

Also at the meeting, the board approved:

— Subdividing six acres of property into six parcels, which would create a new road. The decision was made on the recommendation of planning director Ed Pinero.

— Monthly reports from the county building division and the addition of three private roads to the E-911 addressing.

— A request from the Tax Assessor to destroy and dispose of records as dictated by state law.

— A request from the Poplarville Special Municipal Separate School District  for the road department to transport gravel.

— Removal of inventory and sale of the removed items.

— For the Circuit Court to appoint a court administrator.

— The Circuit Clerk’s end of the year report.

— Renewal of a three year subscription with LexisNexis.

— Contributing $250 for the South Mississippi 4-H FFA District Livestock show.

— To renew 16th Section leases for Pearl River County School District and for Poplarville Special Municipal Separate School District.

The board adjourned the meeting until Dec. 2 at 9 a.m.