Vandalized stop signs are once again been an issue in rural parts of Barton County, Road and Bridge Director Dale Phillips reported to the County Commission Monday morning. Four signs were damaged in this way with six other being reported as either vandalized or wind damaged.
This information was part of Count Administrator Richard Boeckman’s bi-weekly update on the activities of county departments. Other highlights included:

Road and Bridge
• Mowing of County blacktop right of way continues in the northeast portion of the County. This work enhances snow removal operations.
• Snow training was held on Nov. 12 and 13. Equipment was set up for operations, training on heavy equipment was offered, new staff was trained and routes were discussed along with safety measures being reviewed.
• Equipment was winterized and antifreeze checked along with changing oil in gearboxes related to winter operations.
• Bridge crews worked on culverts north of Ellinwood damaged by the floods last August.
• Staff attended a FEMA information meeting on Nov. 15 to learn about reimbursement for disaster declaration work related to the this summer’s storms. Barton County is seeking over $250,000 in damages.
• Asphalt work continued west of Great Bend, patching holes and utilizing the county milling machine to recycle asphalt and repair potholes.
 
Solid Waste Manager Mark Witt
• 1,059.48 tons of municipal solid waste
• 361.54 tons of construction and demolition waste
• 42.87 tons of special waste
• 321.12 tons of sodium chloride (brine) impacted soil
• 763.45 tons of petroleum contaminated soil
• 594 loads of waste received
• $81,208.58 revenue generated for the period
Last week, Venture Corporation completed the asphalt overlay of the Landfill’s access roads. This overlay provides more durable access roads to allow customers better access to disposal and recycling areas at the facility. Cost of the project is paid through the Solid Waste Fund which receives funding through disposal fees at the County’s Landfill.
Landfill staff have been preparing for cold, wet weather by getting caught up on application of intermediate soil cover.

Health Director Lily Akings
Total clinic contacts, 398
• Immunizations, 251
• Family planning, 63
• Healthy Start Home visits, 12
• Maternal and infant visits, 21
• Sexually transmitted disease testing, 10
• Tuberculosis, 17
• Adult health, 3
• Child care licensing visits, 15
In other news
• The department continues to work on a new rabies resolution with Dr. Mike Malone, serving as a veterinary consultant, and Heather Atcheson, Golden Belt Humane Society.
• Nursing students from Barton Community College and Fort Hays State University are rotating through this semester.
• The Bullying movie on Saturday was well attended with 200 students plus their parents and siblings.