ERIE — The Neosho County Commission discussed the state of ongoing road projects on Tuesday.
Petie Schwartz approached commissioners to ask what needed to be done 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 counties. Galemore said the road would have to be brought up to county specifications to be open. 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 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; $27,788,71 for an overlay project at 205th and Grady Road; and $57,686.55 for inspection services on the river bridge project.
Brown said the Road and Bridge department is applying for grants to expedite some of the
See NEOSHO, Page 9.
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 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 grader 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.
