05/23/13 County Highway Superintendent Neal Haeck told the commissioners that the dirt giveaway at the jail site on Jim Neu is doing good. He said, “Lots of people are taking advantage of it and there has been a steady flow on Saturdays.” The Commissioners granted approval to continue with the dirt giveaway on Saturdays from 8 a.m. till 1 p.m. throughout June.
The Commissioners approved a supplemental agreement for USI for the 7th Road Project. The supplement was needed because one of the billboard companies needs to be considered separately from the property owner on damages. The supplement will cost an additional $4,955.
In other business for the County Highway Haeck presented three quotes for a new lawn tractor to be used around the buildings at the highway garage. Quotes were $7,335 for the Kubota, $4,800 for the Case IH and $4,700 for the John Deere. The commissioners approved the low quote of Gilsingers.
Several years ago INDOT (Indiana Department of Transportation) determined that railroad crossings in the county that did not have gates and or lights must have road markings and stop signs. Now INDOT has changed their mind. They would like to see yield signs and have requested a review and traffic study including vehicular and train traffic, view and sight distances which are to be completed by the county to determine which rail crossings need stop signs and which ones could get by with yield signs.
President of the commissioners, Kevin Overmyer said, “I don’t intend on taking stop signs out and downgrading our rail crossings.”
The new radios for the trucks at the highway garage are currently being installed. Haeck said 35 were originally purchased. He said he anticipates purchasing an additional 13 or 14 to complete the entire fleet. The new radios have GPS tracking software although there is an additional cost to be able to determine when a truck is plowing and or spreading salt and sand.
