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Commissioners approve hire and $5,500 oil cooler for road mower
Summary
The board approved hiring an applicant (Colton Gold Nelson) pending pre-employment checks and authorized a roughly $5,500 oil cooler to fix an overheating issue in a recently purchased mower, following Road Supervisor Michael Berson’s report on equipment and staffing needs.
Daniels County commissioners approved two operational items for the road department after a presentation by Road Supervisor Michael Berson: hiring an applicant to join the mowing crew and purchasing an oil cooler to address overheating in a newly acquired mower.
Berson told the board the applicant, Colton Gold Nelson, is about 22 and available to work; the hire was contingent on standard pre‑employment steps such as a drug test. He said the county planned two‑person mowing crews and that the new hire would primarily operate mowers alongside another crew member.
Berson explained the new John Deere mower (model referenced as 4105/40105) has been overheating in warm afternoon conditions, causing melted sight glasses and leaks. He recommended installing an oil cooler to manage temperatures; he estimated the cost around $5,000–$5,500. Commissioners moved and seconded to purchase the cooler and to approve the hire; both motions passed by voice vote with no opposition recorded.
Berson also flagged a transmission slipping in a smaller pickup used for parts runs; the board discussed deferring that repair until spring if feasible. He said the road crew may be offered a surplus vehicle from another county department if the fire department does not need it. The board directed staff to proceed with the hire process and to complete the cooler purchase so the mower can reliably operate through the remaining mowing season.
