Oakland moving forward with road work

Town of Oakland residents have long complained about the dust that gets kicked up when vehicles travel down the five miles of dirt roads. The issue has increased as more development comes into the town and more people are having online purchased delivered to their homes.

“The commission is cognizant that some people want dirt roads and some don’t,” Public Works Director Mike Parker said. “I don’t think there’s a plan to pave every road in Oakland, but I’ve suggested to the commission that some streets currently unpaved, they really should have some treatment because traffic with the expansion of the neighborhoods — they’ve never had traffic before, and now they’re getting a lot of traffic.”

Since last summer, staff has been experimenting with different materials to try to minimize the problem.

“Last fall we decided to try this crushed shell material on East Vick Avenue and Edgegrove Lane, and it turned out to not work the way we liked,” Parker said. “It still created dust and mud. … It did not work.”

Around November, the town switched to asphalt millings, the recycled asphalt that is chipped up when paving roads. It was placed on West Gulley Avenue.

“The method we put it down with — that method failed,” Parker said. “The product was good, but the method failed.”

The town tried a different approach the third time when applying it to West Hull Avenue and Petris Street.

“We kept the same material (but) it was screened, and then you get a uniform-size material,” Parker said. “We put it down with a different machine, and right now it is working perfect. … Everybody likes it because it keeps the dust down.

“I’m really excited about this material,” he said. “It’s going to be a change, but we’re only doing 14 feet wide. And it still feels like small town. It does look like a paved road, but when you get a little sand and leaves on it, it gentrifies.”

Parker said the Town Commission will discuss the topic at the March 11 meeting and give him direction on how to proceed with other roads.

Work is scheduled to take place in about three weeks on East Henschen between Starr and Winters streets.

The town has spent about $50,000 in testing materials and application.

“If people want to look at it as it’s a waste — that’s how you find out what’s good and what’s not,” Parker said. “We actually had some funding budgeted in the General Fund, Dirt Road Resurfacing Material. We saw things coming and knew that we needed to do something and set aside funding for that.”

At the Feb. 25 commission meeting, Oakland resident Jon Hammerstein questioned the elected officials on the dust mitigation progress.

“A few sample roads seemed to turn out pretty well,” he said. “Does the full body of the commission agree this is what we’re going to do and this is acceptable?”

Mayor Shane Taylor said he is pleased with the work on Petris and has received messages from residents who agree the material is a good solution.

Hammerstein said he learned Commissioner Sal Ramos spent his own money to have granite installed on the road in front of his house.

“My question is, ‘What authority do they have on their own to decide?’” he asked. “It’s still dangerous to ride a bike on. It’s not going to hold up.”

Former Town Manager Andy Stewart had granted Ramos permission to place the rocks on his road.

“Look, you guys run the town,” Hammerstein said. “I want to know if there’s agreement amongst the commissioners and the mayor to mitigate the dust, more surveys, back and forth, more samples — at this point I think it’s a waste of time and money.”

“I like the asphalt millings,” Parker said. “I wasn’t sold at first, but it’s turning out really well. I think as it gets hotter and we transition into summer, it will warm up and coalesce.”

This, however, does not mean every dirt road will be paved or treated with the millings.

“I’m not convinced every single street needs the recycled asphalt,” Taylor said. “There are some streets that are sand, clay, and they work out. We at the table are not trying to pave all the streets.”

This also would be a budgeted item, and it could take years for all of the intended roads to be improved.

The commission will make a decision next week.

“I think we’re beyond the point that we can make an intelligent decision,” Taylor said. “We have a lot of options we tried out there. … I think next meeting we can make a decision on what we want.”

IN OTHER NEWS

• At the Feb. 25 meeting, Mayor Shane Taylor read two proclamations honoring the life and legacy of former Oakland Mayor Curtis Massey and State Sen. Geraldine F. Thompson.

• Commissioners approved the consent agenda, which included a contract with the Division of Administrative Hearings for a local hearing officer for school speed zone enforcement. The current special magistrate for the town has agreed to serve as the local hearing officer, should any violations be contested.

• The commission approved a proposed replat of lots 5 and 6 for the Race Trac at the Oakland Exchange, located off Remington Road. The two lots will be developed as one site for an office complex.

• The Charter Review Committee meetings were announced: March 3, March 31, April 7 and April 21.

• Interim Town Manager Elise Hui announced the town will advertise soon the position of assistant public works director.

• Commissioner Kris Keller suggested the commission discuss at the next meeting how to pursue filling the town manager’s position.