No clear resolution for road dust control issue
Staff reporter
Just when Marion County Commission thought they had the issue of using sand on roads as a way to control dust figured out, a constituent asked them to reconsider the decision.
At Monday's commission meeting, Stanley Ens of rural Hillsboro asked the commission to reconsider providing sand to specific roads in the county, which includes his.
He said that prevailing winds are from the south during the summertime so those who have farms on the north side of roads have more serious dust control problems.
Another issue Ens asked the commission to consider was the distance of houses from the road. Those with houses closer to gravel or dirt roads have more dust problems.
He continued that he can have sand brought to his place for $9 per ton and since he's had sand put on the road by his house, he said there's a better base.
"It's not a complete throwaway," Ens said, because the sand will replace rock that would have been used.
Commissioner Randy Dallke said another consideration is traffic and how roads are used.
Commissioner Dan Holub said it also depended on the area. He said where he lives, sand makes the road rough.
It costs the county $10.50 per ton to purchase and haul sand, considerably more than to purchase and deliver rock.
He asked the commission to reconsider his request.
Ens also mentioned that a portion of 180th Road had been neglected by the county which has resulted in it being impassable. Traffic has been using a field to cross and some parts of Ens' property cannot be reached from the road.
"Road issues were created by the road department management," Ens said. "Every time it flooded out they would drag the dirt south. It was a manmade problem."
Solutions that were offered by Ens were to put a water diversion on the south side where there is a natural pond, maintain waterway ditches on either side of the road, or level it out and let it be farmed.
Later in the meeting, acting public works director John Summerville entered the meeting and was apprised of the discussion.
The commission decided it would view the situation, meet with the landowners, and make a decision.
"We can't close the road because there are fields there but we can't maintain it either," Summerville said.
In other department business:
— The commission reviewed five bids for traffic signs. The lowest bidder was Hall Signs, Inc. of Bloomington, Ind., with a bid of $7,798. The second lowest bid was $7,985 from Oral W. Taylor of El Dorado. The commission decided to accept the bid from the El Dorado company because it was located closer to Marion County.
Other bids were $8,471 from Welbourn Sales of Salina and $9,021 from National Sign Company of Ottawa.
