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Trustees ready to bid roadwork




JACKSONTOWN – As Licking Township Trustees prepare to solicit bids for roughly six work areas, there’s one thing they know for sure: Ridgely Tract Road is at the top of the list for service, even though it received a double chip and seal last year. “This would make the road good for 10 years,” said Trustee Dave Miller.

Previously, Ridgely Tract Road resident Michael Cunningham told trustees he’s extremely unhappy with the condition of Ridgely Tract Road near his home. He said last year’s chip and seal paving job is bleeding tar and large rocks were mixed in with the gravel. Cunningham said he was promised in 2008 his section of the road would be returned to asphalt, but eight years later he’s still dealing with sticky tar.

After consulting with the Licking County engineer, Miller said Ridgely Tract would receive an asphalt overlay. He said the last year’s two coats of chip & seal would serve as a shield and the new overlay should set properly and solve the sticky tar issue. Miller said the township would receive cost estimates for a one and a quarter inch overlay and a one and one half inch overlay.

Even though the township invested in Ridgely Tract last year, Miller said it’s incredibly important to ensure the heavily traveled road is in good shape. “In the long run, we’ll save money,” he said.

Tuesday night (Independence Day pushed trustees’ meeting back from the usual Monday night), Miller said trustees are considering resurfacing six road segments including Ridgely Tract. “We may not accept the bids or pave each and every one of them,” he said.

Trustee President Joe Hart agreed, and said he didn’t anticipate investing even more money into Ridgely Tract Road this year. “We have to take a hard look at prioritizing,” he said.

Although this year may be expensive, depending upon road repair bids received, Miller said the township should try to do as much road work as possible, as soon as possible. “If we don’t get this done this year per se, obviously, asphalt and everything else will go up,” he said. “This is the year to get more of this done. We can’t just keep putting it off.”

Trustee John Holman said repairing Ridgely Tract definitely could not wait. “We’re all in agreement we need to correct that situation as quickly as possible,” he said.

In other township news:

• Trustees unanimously agreed to hire JBA Architects to design a new fire station for the Licking Township Fire Company. At the June 20 trustees meeting, JBA representatives presented their ideas to help the township create a new facility to house the fire company, which may include a community meeting space.

However, Miller said shortly before the June 20 meeting, Robertson Construction Services asked to meet with Miller and discuss the project.

Miller said he met with Robertson representatives who told him business specializes more in construction than architecture and design.

“They don’t get involved in the architecture design phase of it,” Holman said. “They used to, but they no longer have that department.”

Hart said he was impressed and comfortable with JBA’s work and pricing. Trustees unanimously agreed to enter into contract with JBA for $3,000 to complete the first of several phases of designing the new facility.

The trustees next regular meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. on Monday, July 18, at the Licking Fire Company Station 3 on Jacksontown Road (Ohio 13).



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