Dateline: January 19, 2006

Aldermen considering seal coat project

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Clarendon aldermen last week began consideration of a seal coat project on at least ten blocks of streets.

The project came up as part of a roundtable discussion at the board’s January 10 meeting in which aldermen talked about items that need to be addressed in the new calendar year.

The seal coat project, as proposed by OJD Engineering, would involve several cities going together to get a cheaper rate per block. The project would protect and extend the lives of streets that are already paved. The work would be paid for with money budgeted for the vacant city administrator’s position.

“Let’s commit to at least ten blocks and spend $15,000 to $20,000,” Alderman Michael Tibbets said.

Mayor Tex Selvidge said a representative of OJD would be invited to the January 24 meeting to discuss further details.

Aldermen also discussed projects the city had been asked to help with such as work on the ball park and moving dirt for a local church, but the board agreed that the city’s energies needed to be focused on the ongoing street improvements.

In keeping with the street discussion, Alderman Tibbets said a citizen had asked him what the city planned to do about semi-trucks parking on streets once they are paved. The board agreed that the heavy trucks could damage the new streets, and Alderman Mark White suggested that no semi-trucks should be allowed on streets with curb and gutter. Alderman Knorpp agreed, and the board planned to consider this matter further.

Other items of discussion included the city employees’ vacation schedule, which will be discussed further next week after input is gathered from the employees; and a dangerous structure on Third Street, which the city would like to demolish. The city fire marshal will be invited to the next meeting to discuss the condition of the house in question.