(Greenfield, IA) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors held their regular weekly meeting this (Wednesday) morning, during which they approved a request from Sheriff Jeff Vandewater to hire former full-time jailer/dispatcher Gwendy Rice. In January, the Board approved Rice’ resignation and shift from full-time to part-time. Sheriff Vandewater today (Wednesday), said Rice would like to return to a full-time status.
Supervisor Jodie Hoadley said in her opinion, the move makes sense.
In other business, a public hearing was held during the Supervisor’s meeting, with regard to the vacating of a portion 115thStreet. The one-mile stretch of road, it is one-half mile south of Stuart, with one-half of the road turning from rock to a dirt Level B (minimum maintenance).
During previous hearings, nearby landowners expressed interest in having that portion vacated. Board members have previously discussed maintenance liabilities and options including closing, graveling or reclassifying the road to Level A status. It’s not clear how much upgrading the road would cost, but some estimates have placed it at $30,000.
During today’s (April 22nd) meeting, several people spoke on the matter, including adjacent land and cattle owners, some of whom were opposed to vacating the road. After the hearing was closed, and following 26 minutes of comments, Supervisor Hoadley motioned to NOT close the road, and maybe in the future make improvements giving it Level A status.
She explained….
Hoadley said she’s spoken with the Post Master and rural carrier for that area, and both want the road brought to Level A, not vacated. That was the opinions of others she spoke with as well. Board Chair Jerry Walker said the road as is would be costly to maintain if it were not vacated.
Having heard no second to her motion, a second motion was made and seconded, to close the road as proposed. The Board voted to 3-to 2 to pass a Resolution ordering the vacating of the proposed section of 115thStreet. Supervisors Christoffersen, Wedemeyer and Chair Jerry Walker voting in favor. Supervisors Hoadley and Baier voting Nay.
Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman presented for Board Chair Jerry Walker to sign, a Right-of-way Contract in the amount of $2,900.76 for the W26 Prussia (Township) culvert project. The contract was approved as presented. Kauffman also presented his regular, weekly Secondary Roads Department report on maintenance and activities.
