WASHINGTON

Although not officially on the agenda, Tuesday's Washington County Supervisors meeting became a referendum on dealing with six days of snow and a full-scale blizzard that in preliminary estimate cost more than $80,000 to battle, saw upwards of 24 and more inches of snow blown everywhere and was met by county crews working double shifts.

“It was tough going,” said County Engineer Jacob Thorius. “There was a lot of fatigue,” especially for the snowplow operators who worked 12 to 13 hours. He explained that unlike the DOT, the county cannot plow for 24 hours at a time. Further problems came from first snow with heavy water content, followed by light fluffy snow blown by wind everywhere, covering within an hour or two roads that that been plowed. Simply put, it was a test for the equipment and the employees, he noted, with a rough estimate that the cost for meeting the snow challenge will run upwards of $80,000.

Every board member expressed appreciation to the employees, including for one who went to work Thursday and has not been home since. With heavy water content in the snow, no frozen ground, and the coming melt-off of a possible 24 to maybe 50 inches of snow, Thorius noted, “Spring could be very interesting.”

In addition to employees, Thorius expressed appreciation to area farmers who came with their plows to help on the country roads, and while the county usually discourages private individuals servicing county roads, “their efforts and help were appreciated.”

Auditor Dan Widmer said, “They (the crews) did a fantastic job,” not only dealing with the snow, but also aiding some travelers on them.

Marissa Reisen, county emergency management director, added that when calls come in for emergencies, they go out to all, including secondary roads, and all respond. She also reported that there may be help from FEMA.

In actual agenda items, the board received the annual report from HACAP in which 712 households received services with $250,000 for emergencies, including energy assistance and weather assistance. Additionally, there were food pantries and student backpack programs. It was noted that there is still a need for affordable housing for low to moderate income households, and that HACAP has added toddler programs to its children’s services. The request for county funds remains at $120,000, unchanged in five years.

The board approved a quit claim deed to Charles A. Rogness and Jody R. Rogness involving two lots on an alleyway in Richmond that were overlooked when the county abandoned the alley years ago. It was called a “formality” to complete what had been long overlooked.

The board discussed and approved a generic Road Agreement and Collection Easement dealing with developing a utility scale solar powered electric generating facility in Washington County. The agreement, explained Thorius, who labeled it a “boilerplate agreement in noting all the provisions, said it was a basic generic agreement one step toward an ordinance. During the discussion, a key issue was insurance and possible liability issues, as well as the taxation assessment and impact of moving equipment on county roads.

The board also received quarterly reports from General Assistance, Veterans Affairs, county Recorder and county Auditor showing expected activity levels, and discussed the county wind ordinance draft, approved in August, with a view to enactment and will have it on next week’s agenda.