This may be a long one, so if you're in a hurry, click the back button. I would hope that some Township Trustees and County Highway Workers read this and comment.

I have been in the transportation industry for over 26 years. I have learned a little about highway construction and maintenance, even if by accident. The RUMA (Road Use and Maintenance) and the $25,000 local Well Fee are making news now.

Let's talk Snow and Ice Control. I have supervised these operations for 3300 lane miles of roadway and 1000 bridges. I read a draft RUMA. It makes no mention of Snow and Ice control, so that function belongs to Government. This is the first winter in Eastern Ohio where O&G drilling was very active. The Texas and Oklahoma people have not seen a true "Ohio Winter". These companies are under great pressure to get wells drilled, if, for no other reason, but to hold leases. They will have to run year-round. A normal, (God forbid harsh), winter will require an extraordinary effort to keep these roads clear for truck travel. How can this be done?

Let's look at funding. County and Township budgets allow, at best, the ability to keep roads passable, not clear. What does the $25,000 Well Fee buy you? It won't buy you a new plow truck. ODOT pays over $100,000 for a new truck. Salt? 350 tons, if your lucky. Carroll County is the heart of drilling in Eastern Ohio. Just look at the number of permits issued. Carroll County ODOT uses about 3000 tons of salt each winter.

Next year's winter could be one hell of an adventure in Eastern Ohio!