Inspection shows ferry engines are fine

Wahkiakum County commissioners covered a lot of ground as they worked their way through a light agenda Tuesday.

Public Works Director Chuck Beyer said an examination of a new engine on the ferry Oscar B. showed no overheating problems. The ferry had been out of service Monday morning for mechanics to look for the source of a hot reading.

"The engines are fine," Beyer said.

The inspections will continue, he said, focusing on transmissions and then other possible sources until they find the source of the heat. Service could be suspended during the inspections.

Commissioners voted to declare several items surplus, including an old engine from the ferry.

Other items include a track dozer, a track loader, road construction roller and an unused three-phase generator.

Beyer commented that the county's road crews no longer do road construction, only maintenance, and the construction equipment is no longer needed.

Treasurer Tammy Peterson said she would list the items on a national surplus auction website and advertise the site locally.

In other business:

--Commissioners approved a request from court Clerk Kay Holland to fill the long-unused position of shared clerk for the district and superior court offices. Holland said the district court office has funds for the position, and she will have funds because of a resignation from a position she won't fill. The move will create an overall cost savings, she said.

--Ron Wright of the Wahkiakum Resource Action Plan workgroup said the Johnson Park advisory board will meet next Tuesday, 7 p.m., at Johnson Park, Rosburg, to brainstorm ideas for the new county park and recreation plan, with prioritization to follow.

--Commissioners approved a grant from the Washington Department of Ecology for support of the county's recycling program. The program totals $110,000, with $82,500 from Ecology and the county furnishing $27,500.