Highway Supervisor updates commissioners on progress

MARSHALL COUNTY — The topic of additional equipment for the Highway Department was brought up during Highway Supervisor Jason Peters report to the County Commissioners on Monday. That additional equipment included a brush chopping mower, a front end loader, and a vac truck.

In his report, it was stated that as it was set up for the lease of the new dump trucks, payments could be deferred to 2022.

“I’m still looking at that avenue for the brush chopping mower. If we look to upgrade with a vac truck or a payloader, but still staying within those perimeters of what the chipper box and distributer payments were,” Peters said.

He requested guidance from the commissioners as to whether or not he should continue to pursue the additional equipment.

Commissioner Kevin Overmyer asked Peters if he wanted just one of the three options. Peters replied that it would depend on what the prices of the equipment were.

“I don’t want to exceed what we’ve already used out of Cum Cap because I know that fund’s been pretty limited to of different resources that they use it for.”

Commissioner Mike Burroughs asked Peters what his preference would be. Peters replied that he would be more in favor of the brush chopping tractor. “That has a lot higher service throughout the county.”

He also said that he couldn’t disregard the other two options because “with the way fiber optic is nowadays, a vac truck is very critical too.”

The commissioners suggested Peters collect prices for each piece of equipment and report back.

Peters then reported that the quarterly reports have been submitted to the Indiana Department of Transportation. As far as the Road Program 2021, Peters stated that preparation is under way. “The reclaimer is scheduled for the 26th.”

Peters then touched on the department advertising the sale of equipment. Sealed bids will be received until 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 29 in the Highway Department office. The following equipment will be available for inspection from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, April 26 through Thursday, April 29, but not on the weekends:

• Two 6405 John Deere Tractors with side mount mower

• One TS 100 New Holland Tractor with side mount mower

• One T-6020 New Holland Tractor with brush chopping boom attachment. There is a note stating that the tractor will not move forward or back runs, hydraulics for the mower work.

• One Econoline Tandem Trailer 12-ton Backhoe Pro

• One 1984 Ford One Ton pickup with two wheel drive

• 1995 Chevy 1500 pickup

• 1999 Ford Ranger

• Three Dodge Dakota’s (2002 to 2005)

The bids will be opened during the Monday, May 3 meeting of the Marshall County Commissioners.

The roadside mowing contract was signed by S&M Contractor. Peters stated that they were interested in a five year term.

“I think what they kind of wanted to see, just as us, how the first year would go with everything,” Peters said.

He stated that the mowers will most likely start around the first of May. “We’re still looking at four rounds per year,” he said.

The price for the roadside mowing for the whole county is $72,744. Peters said that the mowers would like to have it prepaid schedule instead of a normal billing cycle.

The commissioners approved a motion to approve to add S&M to the county’s prepay list and to have Peters authorize payments to the company.