Commission explores options on paving

During the St. Francois County Commission meeting Tuesday, Associate Commissioner Gay Wilkinson discussed taking bids on paving jobs.

“We are seeking information to best use our highway paving dollars, and if there is a possibility to bid out some of the bigger jobs and not have to take all of our workers off what they are doing at that time, it would be helpful,” said Wilkinson.

Associate Commissioner Patrick Mullins said something to consider is that the paver is getting older and a different roller would have to be purchased.

“Seeing if would be more cost efficient to contracting some of it out, as to purchasing new equipment, could give more time to cut back the timber on the roadways. If we can eliminate the shaded areas then the ice and snow will melt faster,” said Mullins.

St. Francois Highway Administrator Wendell Jarvis said getting water away from the roads is the number one thing, and they need to do more ditching, along with brush gutting. Culvert pipes need to be replaced.

“It’s going to open us up to better maintain the roads if we are not laying the asphalt. Rather than purchase a roller, and doing some work on the paver, I’d like to take a look at these bids and see what they come in at. If it’s not feasible then of course we wouldn’t go that way. If it looks like something that might work and it’s going to be for the best, then maybe we will take a look at doing a couple of them and see how it works out,” said Jarvis.

After much discussion the commission approved the bidding on paving jobs to see what their options would be.

Also, the commission accepted the bid from Sam Scism Motors for the new plow truck for the Road & Bridge Department.

In other business, the commission approved two waive interest and penalty cases, approved the sheriff’s inmate healthcare agreement that will run through Oct. 31, 2015 and the tabled Keen case from last week’s meeting was not approved.

The commission will next meet on Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. in County Commission offices.

St. Francois Highway Administrator Wendell Jarvis discusses the benefits of looking at their options by getting paving bids.

Renee Bronaugh is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-518-3617 or rbronaugh@dailyjournalonline.com