Published: September 23, 2008 09:21 am         

County seeks road district pickup

A new 2008 three-quarter ton truck for Payne County District 1 was approved for bid opening at the County commissioners meeting Monday.

Bill Deering, District 1 commissioner, said the four-wheel drive pickup will be used by the District’s road foreman to oversee bids and projects for road construction.

“My foreman drives all the county roads and puts in a few hundred miles a week inspecting these projects,” Deering said.

Deering said the current pickup that the foreman is using is about three years old and starting to show wear-and-tear.

“The current truck will go to a project worker to help accomplish the tasks needed for repair,” Deering said.

Deering said the truck they are seeking must have four-wheel drive for the snow and ice in the winter.

“There is also a lot of standing water on the road construction projects since there is a need to keep the dirt moist to prevent excess dust,” Deering said.

David Thomas, an Owen Thomas Ford representative, said his company is offering an estimate of $29,905 for the truck.

“The truck is a 14-ton F-250 with three-wheel drive with equipment specification, a built-in trailer break and a manual hub and shift system,” Thomas said.

Thomas said his company is offering two warranties for the truck that the commissioners can choose from.

“We are offering either a 5-year 100,000 mile engine warranty or a 7-year 200,000 mile warranty with no deductible,” Thomas said.

A bid opening was also approved for an asphalt overlay of 32nd Avenue from Country Club going west one-half mile.

Jim Arthur, District 3 commissioner, said the road is being paved for a new housing addition that will be built by Kent Bradley of Bradley Farms.

The addition will be named Esther Park.

“Last year, Bradley donated about $45,000 for the cost of this project to help out both the county and his new property,” Arthur said.

Arthur said the bid has the potential to help both sides since the county will get a new road and the applicant will get better access to the addition.

A road name request was approved for a new housing edition west of the Cushing area. Deering said the name will be Ridgeview Drive.

“They have yet to bring a plat to the table, though,” Deering said.

A Expo Center renovation also was approved for three existing livestock barns and two adjacent breakaways with low masonry walls and poultry curtains.

Deering said there have been ongoing renovation efforts at the fair grounds for the past few years to update the care and keeping of livestock for the annual shows.

“These sheds are being renovated for bad weather safety prevention, as the masonry wall keeps the dust out and the poultry curtain will keep the frigid weather conditions out,” Deering said.

The retention of Norm Smola on the Flood Plain board for five more years also was approved by commissioners.

     

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.