CullmanTimes.com, Cullman, Alabama

Local News

January 10, 2009

Dodge City road improvements, park lighting discussed

By Trent Moore

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DODGE CITY — Daily commutes for Dodge City residents could be a little smoother soon, as the town council recently discussed some upcoming road repair projects. Plans to light the town park and Bullet Drive have also been approved.

County Road 216, County Road 239, County Road 237, County Road 262 and County Road 263 are all local routes the town hopes to repair soon with some paving and new gravel to fill in potholes.

Town council chairperson Tawana Canada said the work will likely be handled by the Cullman County Road Department. The town has yet to receive an estimate for the total cost of the repairs.

“We’ll be getting an estimate from the county to determine exactly how much that will cost,” she said.

The council also agreed to look into repairs for the Park Road, which leads to the town park.

“We’ll be getting some estimates to see how much that will cost, as well,” Canada said.

Plans to add lighting to the town park and walking trail, as well as Bullet Drive, were also approved at the meeting.

Canada said residents have expressed a desire to have new lighting added to the park, and noted the safety benefits of lighting.

Council member Anthony Todd agreed, adding, “It’s the people’s money, and if they want it lit up we need to do it.”

The work will be done by the Cullman Electric Co-op, at an estimated cost of $20,000.

A start date for the work has yet to be set.

In addition to the street and lighting work, the council approved $16,400 to help Tradition’s Bank complete a connector road around the bank’s Dodge City location. The cost was higher than expected, due to the fact that the road was required to not only meet county road requirements, but also Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) requirements. The bank is still paying for the majority of the road, with the town now picking up the additional expense caused by meeting the more stringent standards.

“They’re requesting help, since it’s on the state right of way, they have to build it to state regulations,” Canada said. “That amount is the extra expense.”

Dodge City Mayor Perry Ray was absent from the meeting, due to health issues. He is currently recovering at his home from a recent stroke. Canada said the council is doing its best to keep Ray up-to-date on town business.

“We keep in touch,” she said.

Canada also acknowledged the efforts of town clerk Vicki Ogletree, who she said has kept town business running smoothly in Ray’s absence.

“Vicki is just doing a tremendous job,” she said. “I don’t know what we would do without her.”

The council also:

‰ Overturned a town ordinance requiring businesses in Dodge City to have paved parking lots, citing the sluggish economy. “I know if I had a small business, I couldn’t afford to pave my parking lot right now,” Todd said.

Council members noted a new, more specific parking lot ordinance could be drafted in the future to replace the old one.

‰ Approved an annual 5 percent raise for Ogletree. Ogletree is salaried, works approximately 40 hours-per-week, and received $425-per-week before the raise. “She’s been doing a great job,” Canada said.

‰ Approved a $100 donation to People Against a Littered State (PALS).

‰ Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.

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