JACKSON BUS GARAGE SPURS COMPLAINTS

JACKSON -- Residents who live on Springview Drive were told Monday they should address their concerns about the Jackson School District's new bus center to the school board next week.

Nearly four weeks ago, the Jackson Board of Aldermen held a public hearing and voted 8-0 to issue a special use permit to build the school bus maintenance center and parking lot near the new Orchard Drive Elementary School.

The Springview residents told the board Monday they didn't know anything about the public hearing or the special use permit.

A story in the Jan. 22 issue of the Southeast Missourian noted that a public hearing on the proposed bus garage would be held March 4. A later story on March 7 had details of the public hearing, and noted there was no opposition to the bus garage. There was also coverage of the issue in the Jackson newspaper.

Ray and Carolyn Gramlisch of 411 Springview presented the board copies of petitions from residents opposed to the transportation center. Specifically, the petitions complained about the appearance of the 50 school buses that will be parked across the street, and the traffic problems caused by school buses using Springview to get to the new school.

But City Administrator Carl Talley said it was his understanding the school district will re-route the buses off Springview when school resumes today. Talley also told the group the district will create a "green space" of trees and shrubs in front of the chain link security fence around the bus maintenance building and parking lot.

Mayor Carlton Meyer said the city would also look into other complaints about traffic problems allegedly caused by the buses. He urged the residents meet with the school board next week to discuss their concerns with that body.

In other business, the board approved the purchase of a 1990 Tymo Model 600 street sweeper from Armour Equipment and Sales of Arnold. The Armour bid was $85,285. Delivery will take 6-8 weeks.

The board authorized the purchase of a filter screen for the wastewater treatment plant, at a cost of $37,710. The purchase is a budgeted item needed to operate the plant.

The board approved a measure to improve Orchard Drive, from Broadridge to West Lane. The new street will be 33 feet wide, with 7-inch thick concrete paving.

The city engineer reported work will begin next week on Bainbridge Road.