Chelsea to ask county to repair damaged road

Published 7:58 pm Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Chelsea Mayor Earl Niven will ask Shelby County Road Department officials to help repair damaged portions of Rich Drive, the mayor said during a brief Feb. 16 Chelsea City Council meeting.

The announcement came after Ronald Shaw, who lives on Rich Drive off Shelby County 338, requested Niven speak with the Shelby County Road Department to determine if the road is in Chelsea city limits or if it lies in the county.

“I’ve come here and asked the city to fix it twice, and I’ve been down to the county twice. I’m going back down there next week,” Shaw told the mayor, noting city employees told him the damaged road is outside city limits.

“(The road) has got holes all through it,” Shaw added.

Niven said he would ask County Road Manager Randy Cole to repair the road.

“I will call Randy Cole and see what I can do for you,” Niven told Shaw. “Hopefully, we can get it taken care of for you.”

In other business, the council:

Unanimously approved a $10,827 emergency purchase order for a new Citizen Observer Patrol vehicle to replace an unreliable patrol car currently being used by the department.

The new vehicle will be a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria with about 29,000 miles.

“We have been seeking a vehicle to replace one that’s been breaking down a lot,” Niven said. “Most of the vehicles we looked at were between about $10,000 and $16,000.”

Announced a recent fundraiser held at the Chelsea Wal-Mart to benefit the family of slain Pelham Police Officer Philip Davis raised nearly $4,000.

“Let’s keep the Davis family in our prayers,” Niven said.