Work continues to abandon several Stoddard County roads which were never developed through a 13 acre field in Swinton.
Gabe Hazel, an attorney at Michael Moroni’s law office in Bloomfield, first approached commissioners about the request last September.
“The roads show up on paper, but were never developed,” he said. “My client would like the roads to be vacated because if he were to ever sell, it would be easier knowing a road is not going through the property.”
The property is about a half mile west of County Road 223, in New Lisbon Township.
According to Hazel, he met with New Lisbon Township board members at the request of the commission last year. He reported the board signed off on the request.
Through his research, Hazel said no record was found indicating tax payer money had been spent to develop the roads.
“I think we need to talk to the other lot owners to make sure they have no issue with the roads being abandoned,” Presiding Commissioner Danny Talkington said. “If they don’t have a problem with it, I don’t see any issue with the abandoning.”
Hazel said he would send letters to all the lot owners and report back to the commission April 29.
Public Administrator/Castor Township Office Relocations
Public Administrator Cindy Duckworth requested to expand her office area to accommodate ever growing paperwork, which must be kept on her clients.
With a door leading from her office into the room Castor Township meets inside the first and third Tuesdays at the old courthouse, Duckworth said the close proximity would work well for her filing cabinets, but also did not want to be a hardship on the township.
With nearly 110 filing cabinets and more expected, Duckworth said she must keep archived files of past clients and wants them close to ensure protection of the personal information included.
Castor Township Board Member Dale Moreland told commissioners the two buildings the township currently has are full of equipment and supplies.
“We looked at a portable building or build on to what we have, but financially I don’t know how we would do it,” he said.
Commissioner Carol Jarrell proposed moving the Castor Township office into the top floor room of the old courthouse, which is currently unoccupied.
All three commissioners told Moreland in the event a larger meeting area was needed which is handicapped accessible, arrangements could be made to use the commission chambers or a courtroom.
“You’re not having to spend money you don’t have to build something and there are no additional costs to move upstairs,” Talkington told Moreland.
After allowing other board members to view the proposed area, Moreland will be placed back on the agenda to let the commission know their thoughts.
Pre construction Meeting for Bridges
Smith & Company Engineer Colter Gaebler held pre construction meetings with contractor and Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) representatives regarding bridges 772 and 743.
Fricke Management & Contracting, Inc. of Murphysboro, Ill., was awarded the contract for bridge 772.
The group plans to begin work around mid May, estimating about 45 days to complete, weather pending. The company has 90 days to complete the project.
Joe’s Bridge and Grading, Inc., of Poplar Bluff, was awarded the contract for bridge 743.
The group plans to begin work around the first of June, estimating about 60 days to complete, weather pending. The deadline for the work to be completed is Aug. 31.
Both bridges are scheduled to be closed while crews are working.