A weighty decision

Haulers with oversize loads can expect to have their weight checked in the near future. 

Little more than a month after the Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) approved a resolution implementing weight restrictions on county roads, the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office appeared before the commissioners on April 6 to request the purchase of four portable scales.

As was reported previously (see “Paving the way” on page 2 of the February 24 Saratoga Sun), the commissioners approved Resolution 2021-08 during their February 16 meeting.

The resolution adopted regulations proposed by Kandis Fritz, Carbon County Road and Bridge administrator, for weight and size restrictions on roads maintained by the county as well as implementing a permit process for oversize and overweight loads.

Sheriff Archie Roybal cited the resolution when making his request, adding that there was still money from impact funds used to construct the road and bridge/sheriff’s complex in Medicine Bow. Chairman John Johnson expressed shock that there was still money available.

According to Fritz, and backed by Carbon County Clerk Gwynn Bartlett, there was approximately $52,843.19 remaining from Ekola Flats impact funds for the Medicine Bow complex project. 

“With all things considered, even after the purchase of the fuel tank and everything else, I did ask the sheriff to talk with Jim Piche and make sure there wasn’t anything else outstanding for that building,” said Bartlett. “We did pay for all of the engineering out of the Chokecherry Fund, otherwise it would have been well over (budget) but, when they approached me about using these funds for the scales, I suggested that they come to you because it’s related but still different.”

Discussion between the sheriff’s office and the commissioners centered around two different portable scales; Wheel Load Scale WL 101 and Wheel Load Scale WL 108. Both scales are produced by Haenni Scales. WL 101 is billed on the Haenni website as being traditional while WL 108 is considered “the next generation”. The former is entirely analogue while the latter is digital and requires the use of batteries.

Roybal informed the BOCCC that his office was seeking to purchase four pairs of the WL 101 at a total cost of $40,760. The commissioners were further informed that the Wyoming Department of Agriculture would annually certify the scales for the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office.

Commissioner John Espy made a motion to waive the County’s procurement policy and authorize the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office to use the money from the Medicine Bow Complex fund. The mostion passed unanimously.

The next meeting of the Board of Carbon County Commissioners will be at 2 p.m. on April 20 at the Medicine Bow Senior Center in Medicine Bow.