Work continues on developing safer railroad crossing
BROKEN BOW - Via phone conference at the Dec. 10 Custer County Board of Supervisors meeting, Don Cantrell presented to the Supervisors the estimated cost on the railroad crossing at Road 435 and Hwy. 2 at the Andersons location by Anselmo.
At the last Supervisors meeting, it was reported that BNSF would pay 95 percent of the expense with Custer County paying five percent. Figures for dirt work, crossing arms, relocating a power pole and cement pads came to an estimated total cost of $190,654. Included in that figure is BNSF and NDOT crediting funds for the closure of the crossing at Sittlers, Road 631 along with NDOT contributing funds for crossing arms.
Supervisor Barry Fox stated, “At the end of the day, the sole beneficiary of this project is The Andersons.”
Supervisor Don Olson added, “And possibly saving one Custer County life.”
The supervisors approved to have Don Cantrell, as a representative of the Custer County Corn Growers Association, contact The Andersons and ask if they would commit to pay for one half of the county’s estimated cost of $95,327. The county will only go forward with the project if The Andersons join in with expenses.
Currently The Andersons do not approve of their employees crossing at the location and encourage all deliveries of grain to be delivered using the crossing in Anselmo which adds an additional seven miles per round trip. At the last meeting Cantrell reported that NDOT gave Custer County 30 days to get back to them on this project.
In other items on the agenda, Troy Waltz, Extension Educator, appeared for approval of two appointments to the Extension Board. Nicole Witthuhn, District III and Troy Schauda, District IV. Both were approved.
Lance Bristol, Rick Maas and Donna Glendy asked for a clarification on guidelines of tourism grants the Custer County Tourism board awards twice a year and accountability.
Currently when grants are awarded, the checks are written from the county and paid at that time. The organizations receiving the grants are to supply the tourism board with proof of using the grant. Going forward, those receiving grants will be awarded the grants but will not receive the check until they have an invoice to give to the tourism board. The tourism board feels this will assist them in making sure the grants awarded are being spent on what the grant was applied for.
Suellen Koepke, Healing Hearts and Families also appeared before the board to report the County Aid Grants for 2020-2021.