County looking into dust control program for gravel roads

This summer Bourbon County rural residents may be offered some relief from dusty roads. The Bourbon County Commissioners on Monday asked Public Works Director Marty Pearson to get estimates on how much it will cost to treat roads with calcium to minimize dust during the dry season.

Third District Commissioner Harold Coleman and Pearson reported they had received a call from a woman who is concerned about her horses contracting dust pneumonia. Coleman said he told the resident that the county does not have a dust control program.

Commission Chairman Warren suggested -- if the county creates such a program -- residents would be required to sign up by June 1 so the county will know how much material to order. The calcium would possibly be laid in July, which also would give the county time to get the roads in shape, as grading would remove the treatment.

Residents would pay the cost of the dust control.

"We also need to make it clear that we don't guarantee this will solve the problem," Warren said.

Along with getting prices for the calcium, Warren also suggested Pearson contact other counties that offer the program.

Landfill extended hours

The county landfill will continue to remain open during longer hours on the weekends to accommodate those who need a place to take debris from the April 7 hail storm. The commissioners agreed on Friday to extend the hours on April 13 and 14. Warren went to the landfill on Saturday and learned that "maybe a few extra" people using the landfill, but he didn't have a number on the total loads that were dumped.

"Sunday was a fizzle," he said.

"I have not seen them tearing roofs off yet, so I don't know, we may be a week or two out," said Second District Commissioner Barbara Albright.

The commissioners agreed, but also commented that additional staff may be needed at the scale to prevent a congestion. Warren told Pearson it would be a good idea to have four employees on hand on during the weekends. The landfill will remain open until 4 p.m.

In other commission business

* While talking to Pearson, the commissioners agreed that there needs to be a better system for road maintenance. Warren said that there are 1,000 miles of roads in Bourbon County, with his district having the most. In the past, when mowing, crews have started at the county barn and worked out as far as they could in a day. As the season progressed, the crews never seemed to reach the edges of the county, according to Warren.

"I've made this statement before. Projects have a tendency to start at the barn and work around. You watch when they start mowing this year. They'll be mowing from the barn, go out and then come back. Start from the barn, then go out. It's happened for the last two years. Well, the western side of this county, most generally, just don't get mowed," Warren said.

Albright suggested that the county develop a rubric system, which would provide a standard for road conditions.

"That would give us ideas for what the roads should look like," Albright said.

* Dwayne Neil, rural resident, submitted the only bid for mowing hay at Elm Creek Lake this year. His bid of $1,559 was slightly more than his winning bid of $1505 last year.

* The commissioners will tour the lake at 11a.m. Friday during their regular meeting. The county currently is seeking a caretaker for the property.

* The commissioners also reviewed bids for chemicals for the Noxious Weeds Department. CPS, based in Wall Lake, Iowa, was awarded the bid, as it had the lowest total bid of $27,729.50. Other bids were $29,012 from Red River of Augusta, and $28,549.90 from Van Diest, based in Webster City, Iowa.

* Warren clarified that the county met with Holly Powers, of Shafer, Kline, Warren, to determine what services the engineering firm could provide for the county when Enbridge begins installing a 36-inch pipeline through the northwest portion of the county. Warren said the headline that appeared with the story stated that the county was seeking legal advice from the firm. The county had agreed to seek legal advice regarding lease permits the previous week.

* The commissioners went into a 15-minute executive session to discuss personnel.

* J.D. Handley, owner of the Bourbon County Review, returned to ask if the commissioners have made a decision on which newspaper will be the county's legal publication. Warren said a decision has not been made.