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Lawrence County Commissioner Looking For Local Contractors To Bid On Sewer Grinder Project

Last updated on Tuesday, December 11, 2018

(BEDFORD) - The Lawrence County commissioners are looking for local contractors to submit bids to install grinders in the jail’s sewer systems.

"The two bids we did receive were just too high," says Lawrence County Commissioner Dustin Gabhart. "I would like to see some local contractors to submit bids for the project. I'd like to get moving forward on this."

The grinders are needed because inmates have been flushing wrappers from items purchased from commissary, clothing and other items down the toilets at the jail thus clogging the city's sewer lines.

Officials want to install grinders in the sewer systems to address the problem.

Sheriff Mike Branham says the blockage has occurred several times this year and many times the blockage has been found blocks away from the jail, causing lines to back up in area businesses and homes.

The commissioners approve RQAW Corporation to oversee the project.

Trent Montemayor, of RQAW presented two bids for the project in September. Those bids were taken under advisement and determined to be over the amount the county had budgeted for the project.

In other business:

Miles Parker of Parker Group Insurance presented the commissioners with the renewal policy of commercial insurance. The premium decreased 1.3 percent and was 2.3 percent under the budgeted amount.

"The county is doing a great job thanks to Brian (Human Resources Director Brian Skillman)," Parker says. "Brian working with safety programs with county employees has decreased the number of Workman compensation claims and I expect it to continue to improve."

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The commissioners granted Lawrence County Community Correction Director Chad Shew's request to apply for a $32,226 Juvenile Community Corrections Grant.

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The commissioners approved a request for Treasurer Paula Stewart to amend the county's Mobile Home DUA agreement.

The agreement will allow the county to retrieve information from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles on mobile homes.

"This is information we have needed for years," Stewart added, "and we have finally gotten it."

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Highway Superintendent David Holmes asked the commissioners to approve a fuel agreement with White River Co-Op. The agreement is for the county to pay 30 percent of fuel prices at a locked in rate.

Crews are patching county roadways with cold mix, installing culverts, hauling stone and cutting brush.

Holmes has submitted paperwork for federal aid to replace signage in District 2.

He is also preparing to submit an application for Community Grant Funds in January

The commissioners approved a contract with Butler Fairman & Seufert Inc. to do the design work for Bridge 21 on Williams Silversville Road.

Holmes says the deck on Bridge 170 on Stove Road has been poured.

"Crews will begin working on the approaches and guard rails," Holmes says.

Holmes meet with crews Tuesday afternoon on the repairs on Bridge 139 at Otis Park.

He also says everything is on schedule for work to begin on Bridge 120 on Mill Creek Road.

"The wheels are in motion," he added.

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Sheriff Branham reported there were 161 inmates at the jail Tuesday morning. Of those 124 were male, 37 were female and 8 were Level 6 offenders and one was a Department of Correction hold.

"These numbers are very good compared to where we were at," added Sheriff Branham.

He also asked County Attorney David Smith if he had reviewed the revised animal control ordinance. Smith, who was tied up last week with serving as a public defender in a murder trial Salem told the commissioner he will have the ordinance ready for the review at the next commissioners meeting.

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Emergency Management Director Valerie Luchauer was not at the meeting. She was attending a district meeting. She did send word that Vectren is wanting to get more involved in the community and they are requested to be included in Disaster Training sessions.

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