Supervisors approve $2 million resurfacing project on 255th Street

BY CHUCK VANDENBERG
PCC EDITOR

FORT MADISON - County officials have approved a $2 million spend to resurface 255th Street from Hwy. 27 east to Hwy. 61.

At Monday morning's regular meeting of the Lee County Board of Supervisors, the board approved spending $2,068,010 on the asphalt repaving that also includes a cold in-place recycling.

The low bid from WL Miller Co. of Hamilton was accepted. The county had one other bid about $80,000 higher.

County Engineer Ben Hull said the crude oil component of the asphalt mix was difficult to project in the current economic climate. He said his most recent estimate on the work came in at about $2,019,000. and he was happy with the low bid proposal.

The funding for the work will come from the county's share of federal Farm-to-Market funds.

The board also tabled a resolution to remove a 10-ton load limit from Primrose Road as other construction projects in the county have pushed heavy traffic to that roadway. Hull said he's hoping one of the projects is completed next week so the county can reopen the stretch to more regular traffic.

In an unrelated issue, the county appointed James Patrick to the Lee County Conservation Board to replace Bill Mullan whose term is expiring.

Initially, Supervisor Rich Harlow nominated Lee County resident Joe Lestina to the board and that nomination received a second from Supervisor Ron Fedler.

But during the discussion portion of the item, Lee County Conservation Board member Tom Pollpeter said he didn't know Joe Lestina, but said Patrick had been a host at Wilson Lake campground for the past five years.

"I don't know Mr. Lestina. I know Jim Patrick because he's been a campground host for us for two or three years. We know him and he knows the staff so he's familiar with whatever issues we have with the campgrounds and this is his second time applying," Pollpeter said.

Harlow then said he would like to rescind his motion and Fedler rescinded his second, and then Harlow motioned to follow Pollpeter's recommendation.

Pollpeter said that Lestina would be perfect for the Conservation Foundation and they would reach out to him for that effort.

Dr. Philip Caropreso and Dr. David Wenger-Keller were reappointed to the Lee County Health Board during the meeting.