During Tuesday’s Neosho County Commission meeting, commissioners discussed the state of ongoing road projects.
Petie Schwartz approached the commissioners to ask what needed to be done for the county to begin to maintain a previously closed road. Schwartz said the road was used by local landowners, such as himself, and that the road had many deep potholes.
District 2 Commissioner Nicholas Galemore said the road was officially closed in 1973, however county maintenance continued for decades. The road was previously maintained by both Neosho and Labette County. Galemore said the road would have to be brought up to county specifications. Schwartz provided a formal petition signed by the landowners impacted. Galemore said a timeline of how long this road project will take, and the planning steps needed would be organized by the meeting on May 20.
“We can get the ball rolling,” District 1 Commissioner Paul Westhoff said.
In other road projects, Road and Bridge Director Mike Brown said he was happy with the progress on the river bridge project, and that completion depended on the weather. He said rain has delayed paint striping.
Commissioners voted to approve the following payments: $323,414.37 for an overlay project on 70th Road;
See COMMISSION, continued on page 2 $27,788,71 for an overlay project at 205th and Grady Road; and $57,686.55 for inspection services on the river bridge project.
See COMMISSION, continued from page 2
Brown said the Road and Bridge department is applying for grants to expedite some of the various projects.
Commissioners voted to approve three Neighborhood Revitalization Plan applications for Green Living Foundation assistance in the Osa Martin Heights subdivision in Chanute.
Rodney Warren of Foley Equipment said that the county currently has a contract with Foley on two motor graders and an excavator. Foley said the contract includes machine servicing once a year and after every 500 work hours.
District 3 Commissioner Gail Klaassen noted that one grater is almost paid off, and said it would be time to upgrade it soon, which is good to know ahead of the budgeting sessions for the next fiscal year.
Klaassen said these machine upgrades are regularly made to maintain a working fleet for county employees.
Discussion on renewing the Neosho County Moratorium on solar equipment was tabled for the upcoming meeting.
The next meeting will be held on May 20, at the Neosho County Courthouse in Erie at 2 p.m. Meetings are also live-streamed on the Neosho County Commission YouTube channel.
