Notes from the road commission’s July 1 meeting:
A lot of discussion at this meeting about garbage trucks. There are 14 known companies operating in the county, and they appear to be springing up overnight. A lot of concern about trucks that run overweight. Not all services are offenders. Orrie Smith from the Sheriff’s Department said that old trucks acquired by new suppliers can be overweight before they even hit the road. People thought that a county-wide supplier would be a good thing for the roads, but it wouldn’t be so good for free enterprise. Also, everyone acknowledged that customers can get pretty fierce about their loyalty to their garbage service provider. Still, the bottom line was summed up by engineer Bill Meinz, “You could say that garbage trucks are trashing our roads.”
Other topics:
- Manager Rick Pearson commended the crews for their work during the recent rains. “The guys did a good job of getting the roads back in shape….without a lot of overtime,” he said. One road was closed where the crosstube actually disappeared. There was only the asphalt keeping the road in place. Someone came along, took down the fencing, drove over the perilous span, and left the road open for the next innocent soul. “We don’t put road closed signs up for fun. It’s a hazard,” said Pearson.
- Horton Lake Road: LCRC is collaborating with the township (Oregon) and residents to repair the road. Residents must ante up $15,000. 14 pieces of property along the road mean $1,050 apiece if all participate. 3 parcels are vacant, though, so it’s kind of iffy. Apparently some farmers on Davis Lake use it for access and could chip in. The township will pay $5,000. LCRC pays 50% match on the $40,000 project. The whole deal’s dead, though, if it isn’t settled at the Aug. 11 meeting with an approved contract. Could be some type of reduced scope project if it doesn’t work out.
- Three new nine-foot patrol wing plows will be purchased from Truck & Trailer Specialists, at a cost of $12,715 each. T&T was the low bid. Everyone seemed to agree that the plows help speed up operations and save the road.
- “Revenues continue to tumble,” said Pearson. MTF check will be $53,284 less than last year at this time. Down a total of $165,661 for the year so far.
- Safety projects are almost 100% complete. Morris center left turn lane was on the verge of being paved, and will reopen soon. Bridge inspections (every 2 yrs.) are happening. Metamora and Dryden are done, Burnside and Burlington partially complete.
- LCRC will send a letter of interest in the matter of grant funds for an all season route for Kamax.
- Wiegand Lane public hearing was held, then the LCRC accepted it as a public road. This is in Almont Township, off of Almont Road between Kidder and Glover.
