The Marshall County Highway Department began work on roads this week and the action has already caused a stir on social media.
Many residents are complaining about the quality of the product being installed and the fact that some roads are going back to a gravel state.
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.
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.
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.
The Marshall County Highway Department will be busy working on roads this summer. At first glance at a proposed road project list provided to the Marshall County Commissioners Monday morning, chip and seal, double chip and seal, crack sealing and paving will take place on several miles of road this season.
Marshall County has updated its prepayment policies to make it easier for the county’s Highway Department to pay the local share of matching grants. Continue reading
Marshall 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’s looking to spend a significant amount of money to bring roads up to a good state of repair, but State Representative Tim Harman says he’s figured out a way to do it without raising taxes. Continue reading
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.
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.
Marshall County Highway Department crews are trying their best to make the roads as smooth as possible with the resources they have.
Supervisor of County Highways Jason Peters told the county commissioners this week they’re out now working on blemishes on the roadways.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Marshall County Highway Department was busy this summer with the road program.
Supervisor of County Highways Jason Peters told the commissioners Monday morning that crews were able to chip and seal 38 to 40 miles of roads this year.
“We pugged right around five-and-a-half miles, we paved a little over two-and-a-half miles. We used about 2,000 tons of milling for paving. We used about 1,500 ton of that for miscellaneous patching here and there. Roughly 1,000 to 1,500 ton we used for patching which offsets a tremendous amount of money in years to come as far as buying cold mix,” said Peters.
