The Marengo County Commission approved purchase the Tucker Building, an old gas station on the corner of U.S. Highways 28 and 43 in Linden, for $10,000 provided that the county joins the Alabama Trust Fund (ATF). The county would be able to draw funds from the ATF for clean-up purposes in the event of a gasoline spill.

The commission plans to turn the purchased property into a parking lot.

The commission also heard comments from several residents about the state of their roads. Doug Shearer representing the Town of Myrtlewood was the first to speak, requesting that the commission repair a number of unspecified roads in the community, complaining of potholes, portions of roads being washed-out and sections of roads in need of side-cutting. County Engineer Ken Atkins told Shearer to compile a list of roads needing repairs and that he will be in touch with Shearer.

Carolyn Wilson shared the much of the same concerns for her road Rainbow Circle in addition to the road being too narrow in some places and ditches that need to be opened. Wilson also said that turning off the road in some places was dangerous because of blind spots. “Rainbow Road needs a lot of work,” she said.

Wilson requested signage to warn drivers of blind spots, and Atkins said he would contact the Alabama Department of Transportation to get them placed.

Betty Gilbert also approached the commission for Beautiful Star Road, asking that the commission use funds from the recently approved, statewide gas tax to pave the road. The commission will take it into consideration, but it will cost $300,000 per mile to pave.

Other items discussed by the commission include:

• amending the name on a certificate presented to Wilcox County Water and Sewer Authority to encompass all services provided in order to qualify for U.S. Department of Agriculture grants. The authority is providing sewer services to approximately 50 customers inherited from another company.

• adopting a resolution recognizing Fair Housing Month in April.

• tabling a funding request from Theo Ratliff Activity Center until discussions for the budget of Fiscal Year 2019-20 begin. The Ratliff Center is applying for a $500,000 grant and requested the county provide a 10 percent match.

• accepting the lone bid from Demopolis Delivery Service to provide two trucks and two vehicles to the Summer Feeding Program for $12,500.

• acknowledging Annual Statewide Spring Cleanup scheduled for April 20-27. The commission also requested Atkins look into purchasing a grapple attachment for the backhoe.

• Atkins also informed the commission of his plans to sell two older vehicles from the Road Department, which would leave the department with eight.

• entering executive session based on general representation of character, after which they made three motions.

• rescinding a resolution passed in February concerning the millage tax increase.

• passing a resolution reducing the speed limit on Bell Grayson Road from 45 mph to 35 mph.

• passing a resolution to accept bids for lawn maintenance for the courthouse and other county properties at the May meeting.

The Marengo County Commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. in the Marengo County Courthouse in Linden.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, April 17 issue of the Demopolis Times.)