Carlton County will soon complete a major update to its road construction program for 2011 and beyond.
County Transportation Director Wayne Olson informed commissioners at last Wednesday's board meeting that a new five-year plan is in the works and requested the board's input to help shape just how it should look.
Olson said a date will be set in the near future for a public hearing to assess further input, with an eye toward adopting a new road construction program early next spring.
Olson said the county's road work plan is currently scheduled up to 2011, and more projects will be inserted after that.
"Since we are operating on a very limited budget," said Olson, "most of what we're looking at is holding roads together rather than new construction."
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In further business, Olson asked the board to consider revising the county ordinance concerning storage of tire chips for use in road construction. Olson said the current ordinance limits storage of tire chips to 60-90 days, which he said he would like to see extended.
"There have been many times we could have used a small stockpile of tire chips to do occasional road repairs," Olson said.
The board will take the matter under consideration for possible future action.
An economic development loan in the amount of $60,000 was approved for Lind-Furey Custom Cabinets, who plans to use the money to install a geothermal heating system. The loan will extend up to 13 years at the rate of 4 percent interest.
Commissioners authorized the sale of a county-owned ATV and 10 vehicles, most of them pickup trucks, that are no longer in regular use by county employees. The vehicles will be added to the sheriff's auction, which is conducted online through the state of Minnesota. Interested buyers must make an appointment to view the vehicles.
An employee service award was presented to JoAnne Lutter for 25 years of service to the county in public health and human services.
