Commission Briefs

County seeking planning applicants

The Mason County Planning Advisory Commission is taking applications for the Commissioner District 2 open seat.

According to a news release, District 2 represents the areas of Kamilche, Matlock, Hoodsport and Lilliwaup. The commission is a seven-member board appointed to advise county commissioners on policies related to the comprehensive plan, shoreline master program, resource ordinance and other development regulations.

The commission usually meets on the third Monday of the month with special meetings as necessary. The appointed applicant will serve a term set to expire in January 2026.

Applications are available at the commissioner’s office at 411 N. 5th St., Shelton, by calling 360-427-9670 ext. 419 or online at masoncountywa.org.

Public Works buys new equipment

Mason County Public Works purchased three pieces of equipment after approval at the March 15 county commissioners meeting. 

According to the information packet, Public Works purchased a plate compactor to use for soil and material compaction in trenching and ditching, road repairs and site preparation for road maintenance activities. The compactor is being purchased from United Rentals out of Tumwater. The cost is $12,639.17 and is already in the 2022 road fund budget. 

Public Works received approval to purchase a 2020 John Deere 544P Wheel Loader from the joint cooperative purchasing contract from Pape Machinery. The loader is needed for the Belfair shop and is used for road maintenance activities such as digging, moving materials, preparing job sites and carrying heavy loads.

Public Works traded in three pieces of old equipment for a value of $77,500. The remaining balance of $122,318.14 will come out of the County Road Fund 2022 budget. 

Mason County Public Works purchased two automated flagger assistant devices off of the state contract from Coral Sales Co. Public Works has four flagger devices and they direct and control traffic using remote controls from a safe location by one person. 

The cost for each device is $16,999 for a total of $33,998 plus sales tax and is budgeted for in the 2022 Road fund budget. 

County contracts with Mason Health for opioid program

Mason County has contracted with Mason Health for the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program. 

According to the information packet, Mason Health will offer a project coordinator, certified peer counselor and data processor. The contract value is for $177,870 and lasts until September 2023. 

Boyer, Snider Road projects approved

Mason County commissioners approved county road projects on Boyer Road and Snider Road at the March 15 commissioner’s meeting.

According to the information packet, Public Works converted Boyer Road and Snider Road from gravel-maintained to chip seal. Both projects were completed by county forces but need a county road project number for County Road Administration Board notification. The projects were identified on the 2021 County Annual Construction Program.

Upgrading and chip sealing county-maintained gravel roads reduces maintenance and dust control costs. It brings roads up to current standards and provides a safer and more pleasant road to drive on.

Both projects were paid for out of the road fund.

Commissioner Randy Neatherlin gave a shoutout to the Transportation Improvement Program Citizen Advisory Panel for the work they did to get the county to prioritize converting some gravel roads to chip sealed for people to have better access.