City’s seal coat plan dies after estimate goes too high

A plan to seal coat the city’s newest streets died during a called session of the Clarendon Board of Aldermen last Tuesday, August 3.

The city had planned to seal coat ten blocks and had budgeted $20,000 for the work, but cost estimates came in higher than expected and reduced the number of blocks that could be done to nine.

City engineer Che Shadle encouraged aldermen to proceed with the work.

“You’re not doing a lot, but you’re doing something,” Shadle said.

Alderman Larry Hicks voiced concern about seal coating the best streets rather than focusing efforts on the worst ones.

“The damage (on the bad streets) is structural,” Shadle replied. “We’re trying to protect the good streets. It’s like water coating a fence.”

Shadle said the best way to repair Fourth Street, an example of a bad street, is to rip it up and start over.

Hicks asked if the city could do anything with $20,000 to make Fourth and Sixth streets better. Shadle replied, “No.”

Alderman Will Thompson said the city should plan to look at the worst streets in 2012, which is when tax notes on the 2005 paving project will be paid off.
Thompson moved to seal coat ten blocks for $22,000, but his motion died for lack of a second.

In other city business, Aldermen voted 3-1 to accept a proposal from Kyle Hill to create new office space in City Hall for a $4,340 contingent on available funds. Thompson opposed the measure.

The board also voted to purchase a 1998 pickup from Greenbelt Water Authority for $1,100; and aldermen discussed budget and tax issues.

A public hearing on the proposed 2010-2011 budget will be held August 24.