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Shortage of salt could bring on slipperier roads this coming winter
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
Back in Biblical times, salt was considered a precious commodity. While we probably aren’t sliding back to Biblical times, Houston County motorists might be doing a little more slipping and sliding this winter, due to an apparent salt shortage. The Houston County Board learned that road salt will probably be a short commodity this winter.
Houston County Highway Superintendent Tom Molling reported all five companies that have supplied the county with road salt in the past could not even provide bids right now.
“There is a real shortage. Stockpiles from last year were so depleted due to the harsh winter we had last year. With all the flooding along the Mississippi River in June, barge traffic couldn’t get the salt up here from the salt mines down south. And government entities that have secured bids are paying $85 per ton, which is nearly twice what we paid last year,” Molling stated.
“What options does the county have?” Commissioner Tom Bjerke asked.
Molling replied the county will have to use more chloride and more sand this coming winter.
“We are fortunate that we have some of the best sand in the state right here in Houston County,” Commissioner Dave Corcoran pointed out. “If we have to use more sand this year, I guess that’s what we’ll have to do.”
Molling added that he contacted the state and found out Mn/DOT didn’t receive the amount of salt officials feel the state needs this coming winter either. “Road salt is in very short supply,”
Molling concluded.
In other board action:
Consultants hired for #5 project
County Highway Engineer Marcus Evans informed the board a portion of CSAH 5 just south of Caledonia is scheduled to be regraded in 2009. The 2.5 mile stretch from the CSAH 249 intersection to CSAH 14 involves 26 parcels of land, and will impact 21 different property owners.
Evans advertised for quotes to have a consulting company handle the appraisal, negotiation, and land acquisition work. Yaggy, Colby Associates submitted the low bid of $33,600.
“Yaggy, Colby has done this type of work in the past, and it has worked out well,” Evans said. “Brad King would be overseeing this, and we are very comfortable with Brad.”
Evans added that Yaggy, Colby would schedule meetings with the landowners to introduce King and his staff to them, “so they would get to know Brad, and he and his staff wouldn’t be a bunch of ‘newcomers’ coming in to appraise their land,” Evans said.
The CSAH 5 project is a federal safety project, that will be partially funded by the state. The main goal is to make that section of road safer by straightening out several curves, flattening out several hills, and improving the visibility at intersections.
The board unanimously approved Yaggy, Colby’s bid.
Ag material collection Sept. 15
Environmental Services Officer Rick Frank told the board the state has once again mandated that counties provide a hazardous ag material/chemical collection. The state will reimburse the county for the advertising and operation costs of the collection.
The collection will be held at the Houston County fairgrounds from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 15. This collection is for ag chemicals from farmers and ag chemical dealers only. Frank pointed out that everyone who purchases ag chemicals actually helps pay for this program, since a small portion of each purchase goes into a state collection fund.
“We’re hoping we can do this every year,” Frank told the board.
Engineering supervisor hired
The board unanimously approved the hiring of Brian Pogodzinski was an engineering supervisor for the County Highway Department.
According to County Personnel Director Tim Comstock, Pogodzinski was the most qualified, holds a four-yard civil engineering degree and is licensed in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Designing roads, and construction are his strongest points, according to Comstock. Pogodzinski is from the La Crosse area, and will be starting in about two weeks.
Bluff Country HRA
Wayne Stenberg of the Bluff County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) made a short presentation at the board meeting.
Stenberg reported Bluff Country HRA will be conducting an area-wide housing study, which will include Houston County. There has never been a housing study done for Houston County in the past, but according to Stenberg, the information gathered would be very beneficial for future planning.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
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