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The county road commission will receive asphalt bids on March 20, and will award the bids at the April 2 meeting after the engineers have tabulated them.

The engineers recommend the more expensive recycling fix for stretches of four roads, one of which qualifies for federal funds.

They want to recycle: 7.11 miles of Bay City-Forestville Road from Hoadley Road to M-19, using federal aid; 1.02 miles of BC-FV Road from M-53 to Hoadley Road; 3.5 miles of Maple Grove Road from the north village limits of Carsonville to Forester Road; and 0.97 miles of Galbraith Line Road from Cork Road to Bricker Road.

They would like to add overlays for preventative maintenance to the following sections of roads: 6.32 miles of Marlette Road from the east city limits of Marlette to Juhl Road, half of which will be paid for with federal aid; 0.98 miles of Parisville Road from BCFV Road to County Line; 1.03 miles of Bad Axe Road from BCFV to County Line; 6.09 miles of Maple Grove Road from Richmondville Road to BCFV; 2.97 miles of Snay Road from Loree Road to M-25; 3.01 miles of Germania Road from Walker Road to M-46; 0.99 miles of Ruth Road from M-46 to Eddy Road; 3.01 miles of Hall Road from Kilgore Road to Wagner Road; and 2.97 miles of Galbraith Line Road from M-19 to Bricker Road.

However, with winter maintenance taking a huge bite out of their funds, the board will not be able to add to the amount they receive from this year's road millage taxes.

They usually receive around $1.8 million from the road millage after the cities and villages receive their share. However, so far they have only gotten $1,481,641.

The operating reserve, which they have tapped in previous years for extra pavement work, is down to $100,000. The accountant will more than likely need that to make the next payroll, since the state gas and weight tax check will probably not arrive before the March 5 meeting. How much of that Accountant Joyce Hagan will be able to repay right away will depend on the size of the monthly gas and weight check, and the amount has been declining the past year.

It has been an expensive winter for the road commission so far.

Last week Assistant Engineer-Manager Dale Stolicker reported the crews were called out due to snow, freezing rain and high winds 11 times. Hagan said that cost the road commission over $36,000 in overtime.

They have had to use a lot of salt this winter.

Stolicker reported so far they have used 6,736 tons, which is about 2,000 tons more than a year ago. They have used 945 tons of the 3,340 tons of county salt, in that two-week period. The state pays for the salt used on the state highways.

"If we have another two weeks like the last one we will be in trouble," he stated.

He has ordered another 700 tons, and has access to another 1,000 if he needs it.

Board Vice-Chairman Ron Gerstenberger suggested they think about using the chip seal program mentioned in the County Road Association's conference packet as funding continues to decrease.

"It works good, but people despise it," said Engineer-Manager Robb Falls, who said the loose stones fly up and damage cars.

In other business, the board:

*Re-scheduled the first meeting of March to March 6 to avoid a conflict with the County Road Association Highway Conference in Lansing.

*Were reminded the negotiations fact finding is set for Feb. 29.

*Approved the amended law enforcement agreement with the sheriff's department for weighmaster services. The new terms include a contribution of $15,000 in match money toward the weighmaster's salary, the specification that Deputy Russell Nowiski will serve as weighmaster, and the request that Nowiski schedule truck inspections for county residents as time permits.

*Extended the agreement with Albrecht Investment Company regarding the upkeep of Moore Road, which the company uses in its gravel hauling/asphalt business. Albrecht is responsible for repairs to the road.