Commission approves start of construction at Buckhorn

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

An agreement between Modern Construction and Emery County for a notice to proceed was signed at the April 12 commission meeting. This is the company constructing the information building at the Buckhorn Information Center.
The commission heard from Gina Sitterud of the Emery County Community Theatre. She said their recently completed production of Oliver was a great success with large attendance. The commission approved a donation of $250 for the Community Theatre. Three big events are planned for the Emery County Aquatics Center including the teen day the Thursday of the fair and the graduation night party on May 26. Also in conjunction with the fair the free family swim day will take place the Wednesday of the fair on Aug. 3 with an ice cream social after the swim day. The commission approved the waiver of the pool fees for these activities to take place. The Emery County Fair Theme for 2011 is Building Dreams, Friendships and Memories. The fair board is looking for grand marshals to ride in the parade. They are looking for the longest married couple in the county.
The commission opened bids for lawn care for the county libraries and the road department. The commission tabled the decision stating they will allow the library board to decide on a course of action in regards to the lawn care. The contract for lawn care begins now and runs until Oct. 15.
The commission advertised for members for the weed and mosquito board and the Emery County fire protection special service district. Bart Cox was appointed to the planning commission board and that board is in need of one more member. Members of the weed and mosquito board include: Dennis Worwood, Jeff Horrocks, Mike Ralphs, John Sehestedt and Scott Allred.
The commission approved the engineering for the south Moore road fencing project and all land owners have been contacted about the project.
The commission agreed to table the ratification of a letter of support for OHV travel on SR-264 to connect existing trails. Ray Petersen, Emery County public lands director said he contacted the Sanpete County commissioner and she was barely aware of the issue. Petersen believes the matter should be addressed by the Emery County trails committee. Commissioner Jeff Horrocks said there are letters of support from Carbon and Sanpete counties. Petersen said this same issue came up in Huntington Canyon and the forest service created a trail along the highway to specifically keep OHVs off the same highway as full sized vehicles. He wonders if something similar can be done along this stretch. “There is no urgency to put full sized vehicles and OHVs together on the same road,” said Petersen. The road in question is at the top of Fairview Canyon where the snowmobile parking lot area is located. There is a stretch there of approximately 2 and a half miles where the OHVs would travel on the main road to access trails in the area.
Mike McCandless said, “There is a problem there that needs to be corrected, but don’t rush.”
The commission approved the agreement of associated costs with the Crandall Canyon land exchange between Emery County and the forest service. The mining company has agreed to pick up any costs associated with the land exchange.
The commission approved the ratification of application for a free use permit for the Reeder View gravel pit. Gravel from this pit will be used for the Reeder Road and other uses.
The commission discussed the old county road shop building demolition. All communications equipment has been moved from there and all storage items. The building is located at the old site of the sheriff’s office. The building needs to be removed and is an eyesore. An asbestos test will need to be conducted before the demolition of the building can take place.
The commission approved a cell phone reimbursement for Sgt. Bliss Mead of the sheriff’s office. He was the only sergeant not receiving the reimbursement and as the sergeant in charge of dispatch this needed to be corrected.
An agreement between Modern Construction and Emery County for a notice to proceed was signed. This is the company constructing the information building at the Buckhorn Information Center.
The commission approved an extension for a property on the May tax sale.
Under the citizens concern category it was mentioned there needs to be a large sign advertising the Emery County Aquatics Center. Visitors to the area have no idea there is such a nice facility available for their use.
Sheriff Greg Funk reported on the Every 15 Minutes activity held at the high school. The exercise depicted a mock car accident by an impaired driver and the subsequent turmoil that followed the accident. Several students have talked about it and how good it was.
Commissioner Laurie Pitchforth said she attended the exercise as well, the accident and the assembly, she thought it was a very effective reminder for students. She thanked everyone who worked to make it a successful exercise.
In the commission reports Pitchforth said they are busy working on the county fair. She attended the woman’s conference at CEU which was a very nice event. She attended the new PD Ace Hardware store ribbon cutting in Green River. The community center in Green River received a new coat of paint. Work is beginning on the Miss Emery pageant on July 16. Contestants are needed. On April 30 a four person scramble will be held for Miss Emery to raise funds for Elise DeBry to attend the Miss Utah pageant. It is $200 per team and includes green fees, cart and lunch. Call the golf course or Patsy at 381-2431 or Laurie at 381-2119 to register.
Commissioner James Nelson said he attended the Physical Facilities Management Conference with Dennis Fuller, county maintenance supervisor. He was amazed by all the different rules and regulations which the county must adhere to in the operation of their buildings. The sheriff’s office is using the aquatics center for some of their underwater rescue training. New picnic tables for the aquatics center have been ordered and will be placed on the grass area.
Nelson attended a Castleland RC&D meeting in Green River where they toured the Vetere farms. He said the RC&D has been funded through 2011. They are a non-profit organization that struggles to stay afloat. He said also visited the new hardware store in Green River and bought parts there. Nelson attended the media day for the fire trucks at Ghost Rock and tourists stopped to take pictures of the eight new trucks. The best part he said is they are all paid for.
He said Ray Petersen from the public lands council took him on a field trip to see a wilderness study area.
The museum board has rewritten the museum rental agreement. They have also asked the Division of Wildlife Resources if they have any quality stuffed animals they might donate for display at the museum.
Horrocks said the commissioners have met with UDOT and a substantial amount of road work will be done in the county this road season. Work will be done on the Green River Main Street. The lines will need to be repainted at the Huntington Airport for the new entrance into the airport. There will be acceleration and turn lanes in the Ferron area as well as work in Castle Dale.