Repaving project nears completion

By Melinda L. Lucas

Shackelford County commissioners gave the go-ahead to get internet access secured at the county library and discussed the parking lot repaving project, which is nearing completion.

A special meeting has been called for 1:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 to conduct a “walk-through” of the parking lot with CM3 Services owner Chris Ary to  “identify any punch list items in need of completion.”

The original bid for the project, being financed with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, was $125,000, but with several change orders, $131,000 has been paid out so far.

Elected officials first started talking about the need for repaving more than five years ago.

Commissioners Lanham Martin and Ace Reames both expressed concern about standing water in the parking lot after recent rains. County judge Robert Skelton mentioned that the county has a five-year warranty for the work.

Skelton also said that Ary had asked about purchasing the county’s stencils for handicapped parking spaces, and the commissioners agreed that they didn’t need them and that Ary could buy them at cost.

Library Internet

After complaints were reported at an Oct. 25 meeting about individuals who sit in running vehicles at all hours to use the free unsecured internet at the Shackelford County Library, Skelton talked with the county’s IT consultants about how to limit or protect the internet.

He said Monday morning that he had not received a proposal from CTSI, although their initial recommendation had been to put in hardware and software to secure the system.

So that the process might not be delayed, the commissioners authorized Skelton to move forward with a plan from CTSI with a limit of $5,000, using ARPA funds for the purchase and installation of equipment.

Other Business

•Skelton reported that the county’s public scales had required replacement of the main digital board at a cost of $1,187, the first repair since the scales were built several years ago.

•An interlocal agreement was signed between the county and the City of Moran, with the city waiving minimum water and sewer charges for the Precinct 3 yard in exchange for basic maintenance of  three blocks of unpaved city streets.

•The October treasurer’s report was approved.