Pentecostal Bridge issue will be resolved in court

Commissioners tell Westphalia aldermen

By Theresa Brandt, Staff Writer
Posted 2/8/23

WESTPHALIA — Osage County Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin and Wester District Commissioner Larry Kliethermes told Westphalia aldermen at last week’s meeting about the status of the …

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Pentecostal Bridge issue will be resolved in court

Commissioners tell Westphalia aldermen

Posted

WESTPHALIA — Osage County Presiding Commissioner Darryl Griffin and Wester District Commissioner Larry Kliethermes told Westphalia aldermen at last week’s meeting about the status of the Pentecostal Bridge.

“It’s pretty definite now that the issue will go to trial,” Kliethermes explained. “The trial date has been set, and it will start on (March 6) and is expected to last a week. We do have some witnesses lined up that are willing to testify on behalf of the bridge and what it means to them.”

“The trial will be open to the public,” Griffin explained. “It would be good if the people in this area that were affected by it would show up and show their support.”

The trial will be held at the Christopher Bond Courthouse in Jefferson City.

“Besides the witnesses, we would like to see as many people show up as possible,” Kliethermes said. “But we have to remind people that they have to conduct themselves with decorum and manners, or it could go against us.”

Griffin wanted everyone in the community to know that the commissioners are trying to get something done with the bridge but admitted that the process is moving slowly.

Kliethermes noted the Hwy. 63 bypass is in the process of being surveyed.

“They are still surveying, and I think it may be another year and a half before they pick a route,” Kliethermes said. “A definite route has not been picked yet.”

He noted that the project is slated to begin in five years.

“It’s not going to be an overnight thing,” Kliethermes said.

Commissioners reported that other improvements to Hwy. 63 are priorities for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), including a new junction for Hwy. 63 and Rt. E, additional left turn lanes and more lanes on some of the hills.

“I think within a couple of years, we’ll see some improvements,” Kliethermes predicted. “But the big project for the county is to get something done on Highway 50 in Linn.”

Griffin noted that MoDOT is planning to place a stoplight at the Hwy. 50 and Rt. CC junction in the next two to three years to relieve congestion around State Tech and Linn R-2.

Griffin also announced that the Osage County Health Department would be opening its new building at the junction of Hwy. 50 and 89 in March. He was unsure of an exact date but hoped that all county residents would take advantage of the comprehensive services the new facility would offer.

In other business, Mid Mo Operations reported they hope to land-apply sludge in February or March if the weather cooperates. They plan to collect soil and sludge samples this week.

Mayor Tammy Massman noted that all quarterly and annual reports had been submitted to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Ben Maness of Mid Mo Operations reported that the plant and lift station were running well. He added Mid Mo Operations replaced a bulb in the dusk-to-dawn light, but that did not fix the problem; they believe a sensor must be out.

Massman plans to contact Ameren Missouri to see if the light is under contract before speaking to an electrician.

• Massman noted that 1099 forms had been sent out and that all year-end reports have been completed. She asked aldermen to think about any items they want to include in the budget for the next fiscal year.

• Business license renewals will be sent out in February.

• Aldermen approved the following expenses for the month: city ($2,853.27), sewer ($6,395.63), and special road district ($2,054.40).

• The city had the following receipts for the month: city ($10,252.12), sewer ($9,512.83), and special road district ($5,087.10).

• Westphalia had the following account balances: city checking ($162,394.67), sewer system checking ($53,401.73), special road district checking ($35,164.18), and special road district savings ($5,113.84).

• The city holds the following certificates of deposit: city ($440,619.87), sewer system ($468,884.66), and special road district ($523,076.84).

• The next meeting will be on Feb. 28 at 6 p.m.