Supervisors hold regular meeting

by Bob Beach

During public comment time at the regular meeting of the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors Monday, August 17, Boy Scout Tyler O'Neill asked for and received the Board's permission to install a box for worn American Flags at the courthouse. O'Neill said the Scouts would check the box frequently and collect the flags for proper flag retirement ceremonies.
Also during public comment time, Bob Rotach told the Board that he is concerned about loose gravel being used as part of seal-coating cracks in pavement because of the danger it poses to motorcyclists. He said that at posting signs warning of the danger would be a big help. The Board agreed to speak with the County Engineer about the matter.
During regular business, attorney Chuck Kelly, representing Ron Duvell, told the Board that the Bruening Rock quarry adjacent to Duvell's property has been expanded without a permit to do so. Zoning Administrator Tom Blake said his repeated efforts to contact Bruening have failed and he suggested that the next step would be to send a "cease and desist" order to halt operations at the quarry. Chairman Larry Schellhammer said that he would be comfortable calling Bruening to discuss the matter. "I'd sooner engage them in conversation before issuing a citation," he said.
The Board also held a public hearing regarding an ordinance to establish a policy for the construction and reconstruction of roadways and bridges. County Engineer Brian Ridenour said that the ordinance merely formalizes the policies currently in place and that the ordinance is required for FEMA-funded projects. Hearing no comments from the public, the Board closed the public hearing and then approved the first reading of the ordinance, waived the second and third readings and passed the ordinance.
In other business, the Board approved hiring Glen Jevne as a full-time dispatcher/jailer for the Sheriff's Department. The Board also approved the final plans to widen and pave the shoulders north of Harpers Ferry to Wexford as part of the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) project.