PARRISH – Repair work on Edison Atkins Street in Parrish is continuing to face delays after the town was awarded $300,000 to repair it and two other roads in January.
Among the causes for the delay are a lack of right of way and trees in the way, both of which Mayor Bubba Cagle said are being handled.
“There isn’t much right of way there, so the engineers are in the process of trying to get a construction easement,” Cagle said during Tuesday’s meeting. “There’s also some trees in the way. We’ve gotten some quotes on the trees that will be paid for by with the grant money.”
The most pressing issue, however, is an old water line that runs underneath the street. There is considerable concern that the line, which is believed to have last been replaced in the 1990’s, could burst after construction or, even if it does not burst, the town would have to tear up the newly paved road to replace the water line later.
“I met with the water board, the grant writer and the engineer and they asked if the water board would be willing to cover the labor if we would be able to pay for the materials,” Cagle said.
The materials alone to repair the water lines would $20,000.
“We’re trying to decide ‘do we spend that $20,000?’ or do we risk this road being paved and having to come back and tear it up because of this water line,” he said. “If we don’t (repair) it, the water line may not bust but it may.”
The council agreed to explore the options further and will hold a special-called meeting, if necessary to make a definitive decision.
In other council news:
• The town formally voted to move forward with the State of Alabama’s opioid-related lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, McKesson Corp and Endo International. The vote was originally scheduled to take place last week until the meeting was postponed.
• The council voted to hire Sherer’s Flooring to replace parts of the floor in the old high school for $8,301.30. Work had already been paid for by Jasper Area Family Services and completed on sections the flooring prior to the head start program beginning on September 6.
