Glass talks about 2019 plans

By Staff, 01/3/19 2:11 PM

PRESCOTT – Nevada County Judge Mark Glass talked about his plans for 2019.

He started off by saying a new bridge should be built on Nubbin Hill Road over Cold Run Creek. The paperwork has been approved and plans drawn up for what will be a project costing approximately $1 million. Most of the funding, he said, will come from the federal and state government, with the county’s portion, two percent, having already been paid.

Glass said the bridge is needed as the existing bridge is in rough shape. However, the next step in the process is to contact utility companies and have them move the utilities so the bridge can be constructed.

Another major project will be putting asphalt on Wildcat Road. Glass said the county should get about $400,000 in state aid to do road work with, and his plans are to put asphalt on Wildcat Road as far as possible with the funds available. He said this could see about four miles getting paved. Glass likened the project to one done on Fairhill Road where asphalt was put on top of chip and seal. This, he added, is a 90-10 project.

Work on all county roads will be done this year, he said, but nothing can be done until the weather clears up so roads can be graded and potholes filled. “We can’t do much now.”

However, when the weather moderates, Glass said all county roads will be graded. The road crews have three areas they work – Prescott, Bodcaw and Cale, and can complete grading in an area in about two weeks – depending on the weather.

The county, he said, recently took possession of a new trash truck, and, if things work out, he’d like to buy a new side boom tractor and bush hog for the Road and Bridge Department as the ones the county has now are pretty much worn out.

Glass welcomed the two newest members of the Nevada County Quorum Court, Pat Grimes and Chris Fore, saying he’s looking forward to working with them and coming up with new ideas to improve the county.

In talking about relocating the Extension Office, Glass said the county is looking at its options. One option is the former Senior Citizens building, currently housing the Barkin’ Barn. Several renovations have been made to the structure, including a new roof being put on. However, Glass voiced concerns about utility costs.

The other possible location is the former Centurylink building across from the Nevada County Ambulance Service. JP Bob Cummings, a Centurylink employee, is getting a price for the property. Glass said the Extension Office needs to be moved because of the condition of the current structure and the growth of 4H in the area.

Glass talked briefly about the Solid Waste Department and the need to start charging county residents to have their trash picked up. He pointed out Prescott residents are being charged for garbage services, and, financially, it’s getting to the point where the county’s Solid Waste Department will need a similar regular influx of cash to remain operational. “I don’t know what we’ll ask for or when it’ll happen,” he said, “but it has to happen. I’m monitoring the Solid Waste budget closely and we want to do this as inexpensively as we can.”