MARIES COUNTY — The commissioners last week signed a promissory note for another year’s financing for the road districts’ five road graders. Mark Hayes of The Maries County Bank came to the commission meeting with all of the paperwork, got the signatures and it was done. The interest rate remains the same as before at 2.250 percent.

Road One has three Fabick CAT 12M3 road traders. Last week Western District Commissioner Ed Fagre paid $60,000 on the principal and $6,950.56 in interest on the loan. The road district still owes a balance of $241,480.23. 

Road Two paid $40,000 on the principal and $4,125.11 in interest. The balance on the two Fabick CAT 120M road graders in Road Two is $110,477.41. 

Fagre said road graders are selling pretty good now. The commissioners in the past tried to keep the road graders under warranty because the repair work is so expensive. Fagre said there are still a lot of hours left on these machines. They are no longer under warranty, but the county does not have to use Fabick CAT to do the repair work. Fagre said anyone who works on diesel engine can do the work on the county’s graders, which has been saving money. 

Fish Hollow

Leroy and Laverne Thomas last week made the trip to Vienna and came to the county commission meeting with a letter from the Belle Fire Protection District concerning Fish Hollow. The letter was signed by Fire Chief, Dwight Francis and the Assistant Fire Chief, Nathan Abel.

It stated: “The Belle Fire Protection District would like to see the access to Fish Hollow, off Maries County Road 306, remain open and maintained by the county. This is the only access to the Gasconade River within the Belle Fire Protection District’s boundaries and is essential for water supply and as an access point for potential water rescues.”

Eastern District Commissioner Doug Drewel with the Gascondy becoming a walking trial, it may add to the need. Thomas said he is willing to testify in court if they need him to do so. 

This letter from the fire protection district is in response to the county’s request from assistance from local people who have a stake in keeping the Fish Hollis Access open to the public. A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of Eugene E. And Jacqueline M. Appel, asking a judge to close the Gasconade River access to the public. 

The Maries County Commission has been very clear about its intent to keep all county roads open to the public. The river access also is important to citizens who live in the area and whose families have traditionally used that old access to the Gasconade River for more than 100 years. 

ARPA money

The commissioners signed an inter-governmental agreement to allow Maries County to make American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investments to other entities and an award packet for the City of Belle for $17,595. The county already has paid this amount to the city, doing so Feb. 24, 2022. Belle is using the money to implement an online water billing program for the city.

Kaiser Branch

Art Sandbothe was at the meeting briefly to talk about his concerns about the big sycamore tree at Kaiser Branch, and the washing out of the land. He is concerned it may take out the road. Fagre said the tree is too big for the road workers to handle and someone may get hurt. He said he can’t put rock that far off the right-a-way. 

Sandbothe said further up the road some rock is needed. Fagre agreed some big rock would help and asked how much he would charge to put a load of big rock there. Sandbothe said $150 a load. Fagre gave him the go-ahead to put two loads of big rocks there.

Panic buttons

The commissioners approved paying for a new WAVE Plus control panel from SecureTech Systems, Inc. to replace the panel for the panic buttons which was knocked out by lightning. It had a big price tag of $8,900 but the $3,000 discount the company gave for replacing the unit made it a little easier. The price after the discount is $5,900. It has a two-year warranty.

The information was brought to the commissioners by IT Manager Shane Sweno who suggested they turn it into the county’s insurance as the result of a lightning strike. Fagre said the panic buttons can save a life. 

Tigers for Troops

Christy Metzger of the Maries County Extension Office brought a flyer to the commissioners about a free consult virtual Zoom program on April 22 from 8 a.m. to 5p.m. The Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic, Tigers for Troops, is a partnership with Mizzou Extension offering the free consultations for veterans. Family members are welcome to join the consultation. 

It invites veterans to let the program help them with Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation claims, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care, and discharge upgrades. 

Maries County is one of the eligible counties participating. Metzger wants to get the word out to local veterans and their families.