Commissioners Will Request Speed Study
Roosevelt County commissioners will request a speed study on Highway 2 after a request was made by Wolf Point Mayor Chris Dschaak.
Commissioners received a letter from Dschaak that asked for a highway study for the east entry of Highway 2 coming into Wolf Point. Dschaak said he has received a few complaints regarding the speed of traffic coming into Wolf Point. Due to the speed zones, the concern pertains to the hill coming into Wolf Point.
Dschaak said the Montana Department of Transportation advised that the request speed study must come from the county because the beginning of the speed zone is located outside of city limits.
He feels the speed limit sign that reads 45 should be changed to 35.
Commissioners agreed to send a request letter to the Department of Transportation. County officials said it usually takes about a year for such a study to be conducted.
Commissioners approved a resolution of intent to establish a PACE (Commercial Property-Assessed Capital Enhancement) program in Roosevelt County. The program aims to further the goals of increasing economic efficiency, energy conservation, public safety and resiliency in the county without cost to the public.
Tori Matejovsky, executive director of the Great Northern Development Corporation, explains the PACE program is another lending opportunity to improve some older buildings throughout the area.
A public meeting, probably before a commissioner’s regular meeting, about the program will be conducted sometime in July.
Commissioners approved a $1 an hour pay increase to non department heads for county weed, Roosevelt County museum and fair.
Commissioners discussed that the county’s salary schedule might need to be changed in the future so that employees at the highest grade can still receive pay increases.
In addition, commissioners approved a $1.50 per hour pay increases for the public health director position and four-year and two-year registered nurses.
Commissioner Robert Toavs mentioned the challenges of finding applicants for those public health positions.
Commissioners approved $3,072 for a sidewalk at the Bainville museum.
The county will put out for bid the project to repair the bridge and culvert on County Road 1019.
During commissioners’ reports, Toavs said the road department with assistance from Phoenix Oil hauled 1,700 yards of gravel in one day to improve a county road near Bainville.
Commissioner Gordon Oelkers attended a Montana Oil, Coal and Gas Association’s meeting in Baker. Oil information included that permitting is down compared to the years 2010 and 2014, but there’s currently more production and longer legs being used.
Oelkers was told oil activity in the area will continue to grow as long as the cost of a barrel is at $70 or higher.
