Commissioners Restrict Bridge to Local Traffic

By JACK BAGLEY
The Meriwether County Commission decided to close a bridge to all but local traffic after discussion regarding large vehicles which exceed the bridge’s weight limit using it.
A request to close the bridge on Massengale Mill Road to through traffic was approved after discussion showed that even though the bridge has a three-ton weight limit, dump trucks and tractor-trailers use it on a reoccurring basis. The reason is road work being done on Georgia 362, causing traffic to detour in that area. The Commissioners discussed a concern that the bridge will continue to be used as such even after the road work on Ga. 362 is completed. In the end, the Commissioners approved closing the bridge to all but local traffic through placing barriers to large vehicles on either side of the bridge, allowing room for the vehicles to turn around before reaching it.
A public hearing on a request from Robert Williams to close 4,144 feet of Dobson Road was continued to the March 24 meeting, as only the 911 department had responded to requests from county administration for comment on the closing request. Commissioner Bryan Threadgill pointed out that response from the Sheriff’s Department, Fire Department, and other departments of the county was also needed and had not been received as of the meeting date. Commissioner Adam Worsley suggested continuing the public hearing until the next meeting and the question was approved unanimously.
In other business, the Meriwether County Commission:
• Appointed Commissioner Jennifer Snelson as Camera Ready Liaison for Meriwether County;
• Tabled to the March 24 meeting approval of a grant-writing proposal from Tara Coe;
• Approved purchasing a 61” Turf Tiger II riding lawn mower for the Recreation Department at a cost of $14,399;
• Approved removal of landscaping at Lake Meriwether for a youth baseball field;
• Approved spending between $15,000 and $20,000 for permanent fencing for the youth baseball field at Lake Meriwether;
• Approved an intergovernmental agreement for development plan review, permitting, inspection and code enforcement for the town of Lone Oak;
• Approved reallocation of $36,580 in T-SPLOST funds from the E-911 parking lot to road striping;
• Approved change orders for the Courthouse roof repair project that include tuckpointing, terra cotta, quoin repair, structural repair, and a new conduit for rooftop lighting, with costs to come from the contingency fund;
• Approved issuing a request for proposals for LRA projects;
• Approved increasing the credit card limit with Colony Bank to $40,000 along with providing a monthly credit card statement to the Commissioners;
• Approved purchase of a mulching head for the HX-85 at a cost of $30,000; and
• Set a work session with the county Airport Authority for 4:30 p.m. on March 24.
The next regular meeting of the Meriwether County Commission will be Tuesday, March 24, at 6 p.m.