By ADAM STEWART

Staff writer

Marion County Commission Chairman Randy Dallke wants to know specific road problems caused by construction of the Keystone Pipeline in the county.

County commissioners will meet with representatives of TransCanada, the pipeline’s parent company, Friday to discuss road repairs.

Dirt roads used for the project between U.S. 50 and U.S. 56 are in OK shape, but there have been a lot of complaints about Remington Road between 290th Road and U.S. 56 and Timber and Turkey Creek roads south of U.S. 50, Dallke said.

TransCanada representatives repeatedly told commissioners that they would be good neighbors about road repairs, Commissioner Dan Holub said, adding that now is the time to live up to that promise.

Singling out Remington Road north of Marion, Holub said something needs to be done before winter. Holes are currently filled with gravel, but the gravel doesn’t stay for long. If gravel comes out of a hole which is then hidden by snow, it could do a lot of damage, Holub said.

In other business:

• The county will advertise for applicants for an employee to clear brush and other obstructions.
• Commissioners instructed Road and Bridge Superintendent Jim Herzet to get bids for a small automated tire changer for the department shop. A rubber tire roller being used near Goessel averages two flat tires a day, Herzet said, and workers put all of the tires onto rims by hand.
• Cardie Oil Company of Tampa will supply 5,500 gallons of diesel and 2,500 gallons of unleaded gasoline to Road and Bridge Department for $19,885. Cooperative Grain and Supply of Hillsboro bid $20,122.
• Herzet met with commissioners in closed session for five minutes to discuss personnel. No action was taken on return to open session.
• Sheriff Rob Craft was appointed short-term interim emergency management director. Undersheriff David Huntley was appointed the alternate.
• The county will advertise for applicants to be the 911 and emergency management director, but commissioners left the door open to the positions being separate.
• The county will pay $250 per month to rent a copy machine until the end of the year for the appraiser’s department. The department’s copy machine broke down and parts are unavailable. Funds are budgeted in 2011 to purchase a replacement.
• Transfer station employee Josh Hausman received a raise from $1,837 to $1,887 per month for working in the department six months.
• James Wilson was hired to do a combination of duties in the transfer station, recycling, noxious weed, and household hazardous waste departments.
• Commissioner Bob Hein said he would speak with Hillsboro City Council about problems with a household hazardous waste drop-off site in Hillsboro. Waste should be put inside a cabinet at the site and the doors closed after people drop off waste, but items are being set outside the cabinet and the doors left ajar.
• Butler Community College will sponsor Economic Development Department activities, providing space for workshops and seminars at the college’s Marion campus.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture will have a luncheon at noon, Nov. 18 at Marion County Park and Lake to inform businesses and farmers about the department’s programs.
• Custodian Troy Schmidt will transfer to Road and Bridge Department Nov. 5. Evan Stout was hired to be the new courthouse custodian, at a pay rate of $1,862 per month.
• Appraiser’s office employee Amber Hancock received a raise from $1,990 to $2,090 per month for working in the department one year.
• Reserve sheriff’s department officer Gary L. Slater received a raise from $10 to $10.30 per hour to bring his pay in line with other reserve officers.

The next commission meeting is Friday.