Hartselle approves paving list
The City of Hartselle has approved a $300,581.40 quote from Wiregrass Construction to conduct paving on more than 20 streets.
Public Works Superintendent Byron Turney said he made $83,220 in cuts to the original list at the request of Mayor Don Hall to keep at least $150,000 in the gasoline accounts for emergency road construction.
Those changes eliminated paving Pearl Street from Sparkman to Railroad streets, Dawson Street and Bullard Street.
They also cut back on road construction on Milner, Hill and Railroad streets to only the worst areas of the roadways, according to Turney.
“I felt like we needed at least $150,000 in the gasoline funds just in case we have a culvert wash out like we’ve had in the past,” Hall said. “That amount should cover us so that we wouldn’t have to take money out of the general fund.”
Council President Bill Smelser, who voted against the measure, said he felt like the entire list as presented should have been approved.
“I am opposed to it,” Smelser said. “We should add everything back to the project.”
City Clerk/Controller Rita Lee said the city takes in about $7,000 to $8,000 per month in gasoline taxes, averaging between $85,000 and $90,000 per year.
However, Turney said it costs about $70,000 to pave one mile of roadway and that the city’s 267 miles of roadway should be repaved every eight to 12 years.
Currently, no paving is paid out of the general fund.