The Berrien County road department reported ongoing roadwork and preparations for winter during the commission meeting.

Director Mark Heiliger and superintendent Greg Trail said hot-mix asphalt pothole patching continues and that the plant used for that work "will be closing, around November 14." They reported completion of trenching and widening on Cleveland Avenue (Snow Road to Vandora Road) and said the Warren Woods Road project still requires a final culvert installation. The department previewed a project on M-139 and indicated plans for a roundabout at the Empire intersection.

The department described its winter operations priorities: first priority will be the highest-traffic vehicle routes, then primary roads, and last local roads. Day shifts will run from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and night shifts from 6 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. The road director said the department is "gearing up for the winter season already."

Finance and the road director discussed resurfacing/hole-patch contracting; the department recommended accepting a higher bid (about $3,250 more than last year) to improve longevity of the repairs. The road department also reported leasing a storage building in Three Oaks at $2,000 per month on a six-month lease to protect equipment while garage repairs are planned.