T-L Photo/DYLAN McKENZIE Monroe County Commissioner Tim Price reads over the agenda for Monday’s meeting. The commissioners briefly entered executive session to discuss a labor contract with county Engineer Amy Zwick, emerging with no action taken.

WOODSFIELD — The Monroe County Engineer’s Office brought several items before the county commissioners Monday, including the possibility of contracting out for grass mowing services.

County Engineer Amy Zwick talked with commissioners about the possibility of hiring outside help for grass mowing services in the future. Zwick said her employees are members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union, and the county is in the process of negotiating a contract with the union. Zwick said that depending on how negotiations go, the county might have to lay off some employees, which would force her to look for help with services that are not strictly essential to the county, such as grass mowing. She asked the commissioners if it would be possible for them to contract directly through their office to get the mowing done if necessary, adding that even if negotiations go well she would still need new tractors for mowing, which could be expensive.

“If we can’t get new tractors and mow, then it just won’t get done,” she said, referring to the grass cutting.

Zwick told the commissioners that based on a similar arrangement in Athens County, the costs for mowing would range from $200,000 to $250,000. Commissioners agreed to look into the situation.

Commissioners also entered into a brief executive session to discuss the pending labor contract with Zwick, coming out with no action taken.

Zwick also brought several agreements forward for the commissioners at Monday’s meeting. Zwick said AT&T is asking permission to relocate a cable off of County Road 96, and Gulfport Energy plans to run two temporary 12-inch waterlines under a bridge on Township Road 168, both projects were approved. Zwick also said that Professional Service Industries, working on behalf of Gulfport, requested permission for geotechnical services on CR 27 and 36. Zwick said the company is planning on boring a small sample from the roads, to better know the strength of the roadways trucks might be routinely traveling on.

“They’re just getting core samples of the pavements and what’s underneath all of that, so they know how strong the road is,” Zwick said.

The items were approved by commissioners

Zwick took the time to mention to commissioners that CR 37 is going to require a two-week road closure, starting on Dec. 11 and ending on Dec. 25. The reason for the closure is a slip repair, which Zwick said already has been advertised, including putting up signs and notifying the bus garage. The project will be undertaken by Ohio-West Virginia Excavating.

The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners meets regularly at 9 a.m. Monday in the county courthouse in Woodsfield. Next week the commissioners will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, as they will be out of town for a conference on Monday.