County orders fence for Belmont wood operation

Ron Donaldson of Farmington, Feb. 11, received approval from the county’s Board of Adjustment to continue to operate a wood and salvage yard operation near Belmont.

Donaldson’s operation is at the intersection of Highway 27 and the Farmington Road south of Belmont.

The salvage operation landed on the board’s agenda after county officials received several calls from people who were concerned about the appearance of his yard.

Donaldson has been hauling wood and metal from crib elevator demolition projects and storing it at the site.

Most of the old crib elevators in the county, many located along abandoned railroad routes, have been out of use for years. Donaldson and his crew have been demolishing them for salvage.

Most of the wood in the old elevators is not fit for use and cannot be burned as firewood. That often leaves people who raze the elevators with no place to put the material.

“That’s why you see them half torn down all over the place,” said Donaldson.

Donaldson said he sells the wood to contractors looking to build with antique wood.

Donaldson said one of his customers used wood as flooring in a large Montana vacation home being built for an internet mogul.

Wood not sold for reuse will be converted into pellet form for use in heating stoves.

Donaldson said he was unaware of any complaints until he was contacted by county officials last month. He said no one has ever stopped by to complain to him, not even neighbors.

The Board of Adjustment laid out conditions for Donaldson to continue his operation. He will be required to build a fence around the salvage yard. The board did not specify the size of the fence. The conditions specify only that the fence screen the yard from the road.

Donaldson said he plans to build a 14-foot fence.

“I’ve got plenty of wood. I can build a pretty good fence,” he said.