County continues road maintenance

With the unseasonal warmth and high amount of rainfall which closed many gravel roads in the county last weekend maintenance crews were working on erosion repair as well as wash boarding on gravel roads throughout the county reported Public Works Director Todd O’Brien.

In addition to these projects O’Brien said maintenance crews would also be working on two bridge projects on the Dewald Road.

County Engineer Scott Yaeger said on one bridge crews had replaced rotten girders and were working on re-decking the bridge.

The second project included replacing damaged guardrail. Yaeger said he is hoping to replace the guardrail in such a manner that it will be less expensive to repair if it is hit again.

Director O’Brien also reported the sheriff’s impound lot and the county truck yard in Othello had been broken into. He said doors on vehicles had been left open but it did not appear anything had been taken.

He said the Washington State Department of Transportation yard fence had also been cut.

O’Brien said they would be working on setting up lighting in the area, which he hoped would help deter any future break-ins.

Commissioner Jeff Stevens asked if there were any surveillance cameras set up in the area. O’Brien said there were not.

Though it appeared nothing was taken, the commissioners expressed an interest in the possibility of having some form of surveillance in the area.

County Engineer Yaeger then submitted to the board the signed agreement for the easement agreement between the city of Othello and the county. The city requested an easement for its water and sewer line project, which will run just south for the sheriff sub-station in Othello.

The agreement grants the city the easement on the condition that the connection fees for the county buildings near it are waived.

The board voted unanimously to approve the agreement, granting the city the easement.

Yaeger and O’Brien also informed the commissioners they would be taking many of the old vehicles to auction in March with a public hearing on the surplus of the vehicles scheduled for Feb. 9.

Yaeger said the county would be keeping one pool car and a Dodge pick-up as spares.

He also gave an update on the status of the McManamon Road bridge project, which he has been preparing for over the last seven months before the meeting adjourned.