Marshall County Highway Department Saving Money with Millings

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The staff at the Marshall County Highway Department is doing their best to make dollars stretch when it comes to road work.

Highway Supervisor Jason Peters, Highway Administrator Laurie Baker and the entire department worked hard to get the proper paperwork submitted for testing at the facility in order to be able to house millings from other road projects. Peters said the millings from the State Road 17 resurfacing project, U.S. 31 work and the Plymouth Community School Corporation parking lot paving project will be recycled and used for road paving within the county.

He said the millings the county has received look to be in good shape. Continue reading →

Marshall County Highway Department Working on Paving Schedule

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

Work should be done to reclaim roads by the end of this week. Marshall County Highway Supervisor Jason Peters told the commissioners that he anticipates work on 7th Road should be complete this week after repairs are made to some equipment.

The highway workers plan to pave Lilac Road as it’s next on the list. Peters hopes to use the new paving machine on Beech Road when it arrives later this month.

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Marshall County Council Approves Highway Department Fund Reduction

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

A reduction in funds as mandated by the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) will leave the Marshall County Highway Department short in available funds this year.

The Marshall County Council was notified of the reduction at the beginning of April, but decided to hold off on approving the action until Highway Supervisor Jason Peters and Highway Administrator Laurie Baker could review their budget to determine where to make those cuts.

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Road Reconditioning Leads to Travel Advisory

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Marshall County Highway Department is beginning road work for the season where roads are scheduled for reconditioning. This work on county roads could lead to hazardous driving conditions caused by loose material on roadways.

The highway department requested the issuance of an advisory travel alert through the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency. This affects roads in the northern part of the county.

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Marshall County Commissioners to Meet Today

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
Marshall County Commissioners (L to R) Mike Delp, Kevin Overmyer, Kurt Garner

The Marshall County Commissioners are expected to take further action this morning on an ordinance that reestablishes the maximum rate of the Cumulative Capital Development Fund at $.0333 per $100 of assessed valuation.

The commissioners held a public hearing on the matter earlier this month and approved the ordinance on first reading. While the three commissioners stated they don’t want to raise taxes, they noted that something has to be done to help the highway department gather more funds for capital costs.

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More Funding Cuts to Highway Department Budget

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The Marshall County Highway Department will need to find ways to cut additional funds from its operating budget this year.

The county council received word that the Department of Local Government Finance made the decision to reduce $23,406 from the highway department’s budget. The initial decision on how to make those cuts fell on the county council, but Councilwoman Penny Lukenbill urged the governing body to allow Highway Administrator Laurie Baker and Highway Supervisor Jason Peters to make those funding reductions as they see fit. The council will review those cuts at their May meeting after they are advertised.

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Travel Advisory Issued Due to Flooded Marshall County Roads

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Indiana Department of Homeland SecurityMarshall County is under a yellow level travel advisory due to several flooded roads. That means routine travel or activities may be restricted in some areas due to a hazardous situation. Motorists should use caution or avoid those areas. Do not try to drive around barricaded roads. Emergency officials say the barricades are in place to protect drivers from a potentially dangerous situation. Continue reading →

Marshall County Commissioners to Discuss Several Items in Today’s Meeting

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Commissioners will consider a change order request from USI Consultants’ Bart Trester when they meet today. Trester oversees the 7th Road project and the roundabout project on North Michigan Road in Plymouth. Trester indicated earlier this month that crews are waiting for word from the state to move ahead, barring any more issues with the HMX mix design. The mix of aggregate and asphalt binder is causing buckling pavement in other locations across the state. Crews are awaiting final approval of the combination to install the mix.

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Meeting Scheduled in Marshall County to Discuss Road Funding

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

A representative from the Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) will be meeting with the Marshall County Council and the Marshall County Commissioners this week to discuss funding options for the highway department.

Commission President Kevin Overmyer said in a previous meeting that the state will soon cut funding for local roads and highways, and it will be left to local governments to provide funding for projects.

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Plea Deadline Date Extended in Grand Jury Case

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

A plea deadline date was continued to Thursday, April 23 at 9 a.m. in a case involving former Marshall County Highway Superintendent Neal Haeck. A judge granted the decision on behalf of the defense in a judgment released yesterday.

A Grand Jury returned an indictment against Haeck in September of 2014 alleging theft of scrap metal from the county in 2012 and 2013. He was employed at the highway department at the time the alleged acts occurred.

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Judge to Determine Additional Court Proceedings in Grand Jury Case

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

A judge in a Grand Jury case involving former Marshall County Highway Superintendent Neal Haeck will determine a timeline today on whether a plea agreement hearing or trial will be scheduled. A Grand Jury returned an indictment against Haeck in September of 2014 alleging theft of scrap metal from the county while in his capacity as highway superintendent in 2012 and 2013.

According to court documents, Haeck is accused of stealing $12,351.41. He is charged with theft as a Class D felony. He appeared for an initial hearing in October of 2014 after being summoned to appear in court. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of theft.

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Highway Department to Get New Pug Mill

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Council discussed several additional appropriation requests at their meeting Monday morning.

The highway department had a request for a $310,000 additional appropriation for a new pug mill. Highway Superintendent Jason Peters discussed looking into a used pug mill in Missouri but decided against the purchase. Peters previously said the pug mill had been used for a different need. It was decided to go with a new pug mill for the requested amount that the council approved.

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Marshall County Highway Department Continues to Clear Roads

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

Marshall County Highway Department employees continue to work to clear county roads for safer travel.

All of the roads are open but remain snow-covered and icy. Rough spots will remain an issue until temperatures reach a melting point. Salt and sand have been applied on all critical points, but officials urge you to travel with caution. Allow extra time to get to your destination.

The county remains under an advisory level travel status. An advisory level means that routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas because of a hazardous situation and drivers should use caution or avoid those areas. Speed should be reduced, and drivers should leave ample room between cars to help prevent accidents.

Marshall County Highway Supervisor Getting Quotes for Pug Mill

Posted on Author Lenny Dessauer

The Marshall County Highway Department will be working toward getting a pug mill to save money on paving costs.

Supervisor of County Highways Jason Peters told the commissioners this week that they have been using Starke County’s pug mill and have patched roads with the stone, oil and sand mixture. Compared to a hot asphalt mix, having a pug mill will save the county thousands and thousands of dollars. He said the materials for other paving options are getting more expensive.

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