Supervisors address spraying township roads

County weed superintendent Bill Babutzke presented his department’s quarterly report when Holt County Supervisors met in regular session, Oct. 16. As of that date, 138 inspections had taken place. Eight different properties were still in the process of being sprayed.

“Hopefully we don’t have to do a forced spray,” Babutzke said.

The cost for weed department employees to spray township roads was set at $200 per hour, plus the chemical. Additionally, a $1.70 per mile charge, one way, will be included.

“It’ll be done after county roads are done,” Babutzke said.

Supervisor Duane Neiman said the decision was made after someone expressed concerns about townships having the county perform the spraying service.

“They could hire a custom sprayer,” Babutzke said.

Supervisor Doug Frahm said Wyoming Township has had the county department spray township roads.

“If they were in the area and spraying, they never charged a penny, which was nice of them, but we need to have a set price, just in case. Doesn’t mean we’re going to tell you to do them all,” Frahm said.

Babutzke said the weed district board discussed the topic during its recent meeting and noted sometimes, spraying isn’t the solution.

“Sometimes it’s beyond spraying. They need a skid loader or an excavator. If they clean it up, it would be time to go back and treat,” Babutzke said.

Supervisor Josh Treptow asked if the price aligns with what other county departments charge. Babutzke said it does.

In other business, supervisors:

• appointed Dean Sidak to complete the 2023 term as the district one representative.

• approved a special designated liquor license application for Shamrock Nursery’s Holiday Open House.

• agreed to purchase 6,000 tons of asphalt millings, for $18 per ton, from Prouty Construction.