Monday evening’s Quorum Court meeting dealt with several issues concerning county roads.
During Public Comments, John Buckmaster asked about maintenance on a gravel road. He said someone living on that road has a disability, and a rough road makes access more difficult. He said he under the Americans with Disabilities Act, “local government should take care of someone with that kind of disability.” County Judge Sam Barr responded by asking if the mailman delivers to the house, or if a school bus uses the road. Buckmaster answered No to both questions. “That’s a private road,” Barr said. “It’s against the law to take money allocated for public roads and spend it on private roads.”
Former County Judge Richard Williams also had a road complaint. He said graders have continually pushed road materials into his fence line, gradually swallowing up the fence. Williams said the Road Department foreman inspected the site in 2015, but nothing has changed, and other property owners have the same problem.
Williams referred to the flood insurance the court considered in 2007, when JPs voted against joining the program because it might infringe on the rights of property owners. He drew a parallel to his road problem, and asked the court to “protect property owners from infringement by the county.”
Williams suggested establishing time limits for the county to fix problems, and allowing citizens to hire a private contractor if the county does not respond.
Justice of the Peace John Howerton provided some historical perspective on the county roads. “Those roads were pushed in with dozers during the fifties and sixties,” he said. “Little planning went into the process. Over the years, the gravel runs off with the water, and the graders try to fix it.” The Road Department makes improvements every year, and he praised the department for doing a good job under difficult circumstances.
JPs also made clear that they have no control over county road maintenance, and the county judge has complete authority.
Jim Kelley gave JPs an update from the Road Department. He said 7.5 miles of paved roads have received a one-inch overlay this year, at a cost of $50,000 per mile. More than 80 miles of paved county roads need repairs, and the county will have to decide which roads will benefit most. Some roads will qualify for state aid, although costs per mile will rise on those projects because of more stringent state requirements.
Kelley also reported on a switch to calcium chloride flakes for ice and snow removal. The calcium chloride melts faster, and remains effective at temperatures much lower than salt. The chemical will not damage gravel roads, as salt will.
The department has lost a quarter of its employees in the past year, Kelley said, and they have had to train replacements. He also explained why the department cannot spend all the funds allocated to it. In case of disasters or emergencies, the county must make repairs before receiving reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Without those funds in reserve, the county would have to borrow money.
In other business:
- In a separate portion of the agenda, Williams said the assessor’s office in Greene County operates with a smaller staff than in Carroll County, despite a larger population. He also complained that the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office has too many officers for the number of deputies.
- Vonda Moore, the administrator at Mercy Hospital, gave a detailed report on the hospital, and she listed new medical staff, with others coming soon.
- JP Lamont Richie said, “The budget committee will start its annual trek toward budget happiness next week,” and outlined a schedule of committee meetings. Richie also said he will introduce an ordinance to put the consolidated 911 and central dispatch services under the authority of the county judge.
- JPs approved the appointment of Richard Stewart to the Lake Forest Area Subordinate Service District. Richie said state law does not require quorum courts to approve commissioners for SSDs, and he may sponsor an ordinance to remove the requirement here.
- Anyone receiving payroll funds from the county will have the option of direct deposit. Those who use it will still receive the equivalent of a pay stub.
- JPs passed the second and third readings of an ordinance which will allow county residents to cast their ballots at any of the six polling places in future elections.
- The county will appropriate $10,500 to help rehabilitate the Community Room on the Berryville Public Square. JP Noreen Watson said, “It has been in disrepair, but volunteers have made some progress.” She described the positive impact that building can make on the Square, and noted that businesses on the Square have also contributed.
- This meeting was postponed a week to accommodate several JPs. Next month’s meeting will be at 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 15.