News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Gainesboro Aldermen approved the expenditure of some $11,000 Thursday night to repair damage to Baugh Hollow Road.
The Jackson County Highway Department quoted the cost of the project and will also be doing the repairs for the road. Aldermen Tom Goetz said the price tag is about as cheap as it is going to get.
“Because the county is going to do the work we are getting a better price than we could from probably any contractor,” Goetz said. “Now it’s not the same culvert if you will like an interstate or a major highway has, this is a secondary road so it doesn’t need as much.”
Goetz said the damaged tile had rusted and eroded which caused a noticeable dip in the road. Goetz said the new tile should last about ten years.
“It was causing concern and it has been patched a couple of times on either side probably where it is settling in,” Goetz said. “I felt very good that the city needed to move forward and get this done at a reasonable price.”
Goetz said he was glad to see the city and county come together to resolve the issue.
“The seat of government for Jackson County sits right here in Gainesboro,” Goetz said. “I look forward to always having a good relationship with the people of the county as well them with us and I think this is a good step forward for everybody.”
Goetz said further discussions will happen with Jackson County Road Superintendent Daniel Garrison about when the county will begin the repairs. Goetz said he expects the repairs to start soon.
In other business, Aldermen approved John Pigg to take over as safety director.
Aldermen voted to pay unused vacation time for Gainesboro police officers at the end of the year. Police Chief Michael Smith said the police department does not have enough part-time employees for others to take vacation time. Smith said it would be cheaper for the city as those hours would not be counted as overtime hours.
Aldermen approved Gainesboro Police Officers to back up the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department in emergency and random safety checks at Jackson County Middle School and High School. Smith said they are doing this with the concerns over the past few weeks with school safety.
