|
November 20, 2009 Cartersville, Georgia
LOCAL NEWS
Adairsville OKs resolution on Ga. 140 widening
The widening and rebuilding of Ga. Highway 140 from two to four lanes as proposed by the Georgia Department of Transportation is a top priority for the city of Adairsville and various other entities.
The motion to sign a resolution in consorted effort with Bartow, Chattooga and Floyd counties and the cities of Adairsville, Cartersville, Rome and Summerville was passed unanimously by the Adairsville City Council at Thursday's regular meeting.
The resolution will address the Georgia Department of Transportation board members as well as members of the Georgia General Assembly in regards to accelerating the project proposed by GDOT.
GDOT held a public hearing on the matter in July at the Jackson House in Adairsville. Members of local governments, members of state legislature and GDOT officials gathered to discuss the plans for the widening project. The proposed plan was to widen a 7.2-mile section from U.S. 41 in Bartow County to SR 53 in Floyd County.
The resolution will also include an additional 'second phase' connecting SR 53 and U.S. 27 completing Chattooga's east-west corridor to Interstate 75.
The widening project would first and foremost be an effort to improve safety but would also be a stimulus for increased economic development.
"We've lost a lot of our local people -- not to mention people traveling through -- that have lost their lives on [Ga. 140]. It has about 15 to 20 percent truck traffic, which is about four times what the road was designed for," said Adairsville City Manager Larry Pratt. "Chattooga County needs a direct link -- a four-lane link -- to Interstate 75 to ensure their economic stability and their future growth. Floyd County needs it; they're in the process of building a 300- or 400-acre industrial park at the intersection of Highway 140 and (SR) 53. The main thing we're concerned with is the safety of the citizens and the traveling public through there."
Christmas bonuses for city of Adairsville employees also were approved Thursday. The net bonuses for city employees are as follows:
* Mayor and council -- $250
* Full-time employees: one to three years -- $125
* Full-time employees: three to seven years -- $175
* Full-time employees: seven to 15 years -- $225
* Full-time employees: 15 or more years -- $275
* Full-time employees: less than one year -- $75
* Part-time employees: less than five years -- $50
* Part-time employees: more than five years -- $100
One item was added to Thursday's agenda, by a motion of the council, to vote on the application for a grant with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources with funding from the Georgia Recreational Trails Program.
The grant, if awarded to the city of Adairsville, would assist with 80 percent of funds to build a walking trail. The proposed site for the trail is around the 16-acre Rex Moncus Park between George Street and Ga. 140. The city would be responsible for the remainder of the cost. The motion to apply for the grant was approved.
Several other items were voted on at Thursday's regular meeting, all of which were approved.
It was voted to renew medical and other cafeteria insurance with MSI Benefits Group. A presentation was made Tuesday regarding the rates available for the city.
By changing group basic life insurance to a sister company of the current provider for medical insurance, Blue Cross, the renewal rate will drop 1 percent. Switching life insurance will increase the per employee rate to $368 per month from $285 per month due to a minimum requirement increase. However, the savings from the 1 percent discount in renewal fees will save the city of Adairsville $3,218 annually for a net savings of $2,224.
The council voted to authorize King to sign Local Assistance Road Program contracts for GDOT. The program requires a prioritized list of projects for GDOT to assess for assistance in leveling and resurfacing. The streets in Adairsville approved by GDOT for assistance are a .16-mile section of College Street between Franklin Street to Hall Station Road and a .08-mile section of Turner Street from Park Street to Hotel Street.
Authorization for King to sign a countywide natural gas safety plan agreement between the cities of Adairsville, Cartersville and Summerville in conjunction with Atlanta Gas Light Company and Dalton Utilities was approved. This plan will help establish a definition of service areas to increase safety to customers.
This safety plan will help to eliminate accidents like the 1999 explosion in Floyd County that destroyed the Community Kwik Shop, known as the rock store, injuring seven people, including three firefighters. Clarification on service lines will quicken the emergency shut-off of gas to specific locations.
Two members of the Adairsville Development Authority, Lydia Adcock and Wade Wilson, were appointed for another two-year term to expire in November 2011.
The council also approved Christmas in the Country, a holiday celebration to be hosted by the Adairsville Downtown Development Authority. Linda Bass, director of the Adairsville DDA, will plan the downtown event, which is to be held on the evening of Friday, Dec. 4.
The motion to sign a resolution in consorted effort with Bartow, Chattooga and Floyd counties and the cities of Adairsville, Cartersville, Rome and Summerville was passed unanimously by the Adairsville City Council at Thursday's regular meeting.
The resolution will address the Georgia Department of Transportation board members as well as members of the Georgia General Assembly in regards to accelerating the project proposed by GDOT.
GDOT held a public hearing on the matter in July at the Jackson House in Adairsville. Members of local governments, members of state legislature and GDOT officials gathered to discuss the plans for the widening project. The proposed plan was to widen a 7.2-mile section from U.S. 41 in Bartow County to SR 53 in Floyd County.
The resolution will also include an additional 'second phase' connecting SR 53 and U.S. 27 completing Chattooga's east-west corridor to Interstate 75.
The widening project would first and foremost be an effort to improve safety but would also be a stimulus for increased economic development.
"We've lost a lot of our local people -- not to mention people traveling through -- that have lost their lives on [Ga. 140]. It has about 15 to 20 percent truck traffic, which is about four times what the road was designed for," said Adairsville City Manager Larry Pratt. "Chattooga County needs a direct link -- a four-lane link -- to Interstate 75 to ensure their economic stability and their future growth. Floyd County needs it; they're in the process of building a 300- or 400-acre industrial park at the intersection of Highway 140 and (SR) 53. The main thing we're concerned with is the safety of the citizens and the traveling public through there."
Christmas bonuses for city of Adairsville employees also were approved Thursday. The net bonuses for city employees are as follows:
* Mayor and council -- $250
* Full-time employees: one to three years -- $125
* Full-time employees: three to seven years -- $175
* Full-time employees: seven to 15 years -- $225
* Full-time employees: 15 or more years -- $275
* Full-time employees: less than one year -- $75
* Part-time employees: less than five years -- $50
* Part-time employees: more than five years -- $100
One item was added to Thursday's agenda, by a motion of the council, to vote on the application for a grant with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources with funding from the Georgia Recreational Trails Program.
The grant, if awarded to the city of Adairsville, would assist with 80 percent of funds to build a walking trail. The proposed site for the trail is around the 16-acre Rex Moncus Park between George Street and Ga. 140. The city would be responsible for the remainder of the cost. The motion to apply for the grant was approved.
Several other items were voted on at Thursday's regular meeting, all of which were approved.
It was voted to renew medical and other cafeteria insurance with MSI Benefits Group. A presentation was made Tuesday regarding the rates available for the city.
By changing group basic life insurance to a sister company of the current provider for medical insurance, Blue Cross, the renewal rate will drop 1 percent. Switching life insurance will increase the per employee rate to $368 per month from $285 per month due to a minimum requirement increase. However, the savings from the 1 percent discount in renewal fees will save the city of Adairsville $3,218 annually for a net savings of $2,224.
The council voted to authorize King to sign Local Assistance Road Program contracts for GDOT. The program requires a prioritized list of projects for GDOT to assess for assistance in leveling and resurfacing. The streets in Adairsville approved by GDOT for assistance are a .16-mile section of College Street between Franklin Street to Hall Station Road and a .08-mile section of Turner Street from Park Street to Hotel Street.
Authorization for King to sign a countywide natural gas safety plan agreement between the cities of Adairsville, Cartersville and Summerville in conjunction with Atlanta Gas Light Company and Dalton Utilities was approved. This plan will help establish a definition of service areas to increase safety to customers.
This safety plan will help to eliminate accidents like the 1999 explosion in Floyd County that destroyed the Community Kwik Shop, known as the rock store, injuring seven people, including three firefighters. Clarification on service lines will quicken the emergency shut-off of gas to specific locations.
Two members of the Adairsville Development Authority, Lydia Adcock and Wade Wilson, were appointed for another two-year term to expire in November 2011.
The council also approved Christmas in the Country, a holiday celebration to be hosted by the Adairsville Downtown Development Authority. Linda Bass, director of the Adairsville DDA, will plan the downtown event, which is to be held on the evening of Friday, Dec. 4.
print
|
Copyright © 2009 Daily Tribune News, a division of Cleveland Newspapers, Inc. All rights reserved.
The information contained herein is protected by the copyright laws of the United States. The copyright laws prohibit any copying, redistributing, retransmitting, broadcasting or repurposing of any copyright-protected material. |
|
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY  PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any” preference limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make such preference, limitation or description. "Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women or people seeking custody of children under 18." This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. |