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Henry County weighs hiring motor-grader operator as storms leave washed-out roads and strained townships
Summary
After heavy rain left washouts, log jams and at least one culvert failure, Henry County commissioners discussed urgent road repairs, whether to hire a full-time motor-grader operator, and the use of $30,000 in gravel funds to assist badly damaged townships.
Henry County commissioners spent much of their April 2 meeting assessing post-storm damage and debating whether to hire a motor-grader operator to keep roads passable across townships.
Dennis Bowers, Road and Bridge supervisor, told the commission crews were "out putting up barricades and doing what they can" after recent storms produced significant washouts and at least one washed-out culvert. Commissioners emphasized townships must blade roads quickly to restore passable routes and reduce safety hazards.
Commissioners discussed options for motor-grader service. Some favored waiting to see the volume of demand before hiring a full-time operator; others said shared arrangements or coordinating purchases with nearby towns could make a grinder/operator more cost-effective. Commissioners noted that hiring would add insurance and retirement costs and that an operator would need to be cross-trained to avoid idle time when the grader was not in use.
On staffing, commissioners said they expected an application from a candidate who has prior grader and excavator experience; details on whether that applicant would be hired were not decided at the meeting. Commissioners also discussed training backups so the county is not dependent on a single operator.
The commission addressed material and timing concerns for repairs: much of the damage requires blading and, in places, rock or screenings, but staff cautioned work should wait until after several days of sun so loose material properly compacts. Commissioners noted the county is expected to receive $30,000 earmarked for gravel that could be allocated to help townships recover once the rain subsides.
The discussion also touched on intergovernmental coordination: Deepwater Township and the city of Montrose were mentioned as potential partners for pavement preservation or equipment sharing, and commissioners said they would review lease or road-use agreements (including for Beavertail) to clarify which parties are responsible for different types of damage.
Next steps: commissioners asked staff to monitor damage after the next storms, to solicit and review any operator applications, and to examine existing agreements to clarify responsibility for storm-related road damage. No formal hiring decision or binding contract was approved at the meeting.
