New storage shed means county has sufficient road salt for coming winter

Nelson Fiscal Court

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, 11:45 a.m. — Nelson County’s road salt supply is stocked and ready for coming winter weather, thanks to the new salt shed recently completed at the Nelson County Road Department complex on West Stephen Foster.

Magistrate Sam Hutchins makes a point during discussions at the Dec. 1 Nelson Fiscal Court meeting.

The county has 1,700 tons of road salt on hand now, which it normally mixes with sand.

Judge Executive Dean Watts told the court that depending on the severity of the winter, the county roads usually require between 700 to 1,000 tons of salt annually.

Due to road salt shortages during winter months, the county sometimes has had trouble securing enough salt for late-season snows and ice, Watts said.

County Road Engineer Jim Lemieux told the court that the salt shed has room for up to an additional 500 tons of salt. The county has taken delivery of 1,000 of the 1,400 tons of salt it has on contract.

In other business, fiscal court:

— approved a bid of $100 per ton for 100 tones of cold mix asphalt used for winter-weather road repairs.

— heard that the two free landfill given annual to county residents will go out in the December utility bills.

— approved a budget amendment to the county clerk’s budget to reflect refunds issues to property tax lien holders.

— approved reappointing Linda Wells and Sherry Frazier to the Nelson County Extension District Board.

The court held an executive session to discuss a road bond issue, but took no action.

NEXT UP. Nelson Fiscal Court meets next 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015.

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