By Jim Magdefrau

VINTON – Benton County residents met with the Benton County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Oct. 1, regarding sealcoating one county road and lowering the speed limit on another road. They met at the Benton County Service Center in Vinton.

Road treatment

Wayne Gibney discussed road treatment on 74th St., Atkins. There are three residents living by the road. This is a 1,200-foot treatment. They would like to sealcoat this. The estimate is $58,500. It is to have a special assessment for those who live along the road, according to Engineer Myron Parizek. The county will pay for half of the project. It now uses dust control treatment. Work will be done during spring and early summer. Parizek said the hot summer sun is a benefit for sealing up the sealcoat material. No action was taken. The county will work on drafting an agreement with the landowners.

Speed limit near Shellsburg

Rick Grimm discussed the speed limit on 64th St. coming into Shellsburg. He said it is a very busy road. His proposal is to have a no-passing zone there and to lower the speed limit on part of this road from 55 mph to 35 mph. Engineer Parizek said a traffic study needs to be done by the Iowa Department of Transportation. The county can look into a no-passing lane and deal with it through new painting on the road. No action was taken.

Other business

The board approved wage and classification changes for Ron Ragen of secondary roads. His new wage is $27.70 per hour and his labor grade goes from 5A to 5B. He was hired six months ago. 

They approved the  Law Enforcement Contract with the  city of Blairstown. They are 10 hours a week at $32.50 per hour, the same as last year.

A land use change was approved for Chad Albert for land in Parcels A and B in Section 27, Eden Township. This is for a mobile home.  The parcel has not been in production since the 1930s. It will not have negative impacts on surrounding farm operations, said Land Use Administrator Matt Even.

The board denied a tax abatement for Parcel #240-88575.

The board approved Vinton Unlimited’s application for use of the courthouse grounds and facility.

Richard Primmer took part in the meeting by telephone.