Road superintendent submits repair plan to county commission

Sep. 19—The Cumberland County Commission approved a resolution, accepting a plan submitted by Road Superintendent Stanley Hall for repairs to county roads.

The approval technically releases $2 million in funding for road repairs awarded to the road department last year.

The county's road department got $2 million in its budget last year to help repair roads across the county, but the funding was contingent on Hall submitting a plan to the county commission.

Last month several commissioners voiced concerns over the funds and voted to release them to Hall in both the environmental and budget committees.

However, the funds were tied to a resolution that required the plan.

The county commission had a resolution on this month's agenda to rescind last year's resolution but Rebecca Stone, 3rd District commissioner, motioned to accept the plan submitted by Hall, rather than rescind last year's resolution.

It was approved unanimously.

"I'm glad we got this plan today," Stone said.

Colleen Mall, 9th District commissioner, said, "I think this is very helpful for everyone to see."

Hall's plan, "Break down of the $2 million" includes:

—Engineer projects — $400,000; $200,000 for the road study and $200,000 for bridge replacement at O'Camp Rd.

—Striping state aid projects and county projects — $100,000; 20-plus miles of state aid asphalt projects — $50,000; and 20-plus miles of other county roads at $50,000.

—Safety project — $75,000. Paving Ozone railroad crossing.

—Tar and chip projects — $1.425 million. Lowe Rd., 2 miles of road, $150,000; Jumping Branch, 1 mile of road, $75,000; Old Hwy. 28 from county line, 3 miles of road, $225,000; Happy Top Rd, 1 mile of road, $75,000. Cumberland Cove, 3 miles of roads, $225,000; Cumberland Lakes, 3 miles of roads, $225,000; Lake Tansi, 4 miles of roads, $300,000; Breckenridge, 2 miles of roads, $150,000.

Hall's plan states the roads and prices are subject to change depending on an emergency situation.

Joe Sherrill, 6th District commissioner, asked Jennifer Turner, Cumberland County finance director, "Will this allow the $2 million to be released?"

Turner said yes it would release the funds.