Rawlins County approves 68-foot culvert extension at landfill amid completion delay

The Rawlins County Board of Commissioners on March 15 approved a 68-foot extension of a culvert at the county landfill and heard that the new landfill cell will miss its scheduled completion, potentially triggering contract penalties.

Landfill supervisor Corey Castens told the board dirt was being placed along the east fence and recommended extending the culvert at an estimated cost of $4,100 so materials could be ordered immediately. Commissioner Mosley, Commissioner Solko and Chairman Lincoln Pochop voted to approve the work, which Castens said was time-sensitive so supplies could be secured.

Castens also said the landfill cell would not be finished within the original time frame and that the county would face penalties. He told commissioners the project lost one day to concrete work and another because of rain, and he raised the idea of negotiating contractor responsibility for teardown of a coal shed as part of penalty mitigation. Assistant County Attorney Charles Peckham said he was drafting an asbestos letter related to demolition questions.

Representatives from L&J Sanitation, including Joe Samson Jr. and Linda Wright, told the board they expected the larger cell to reduce the problem of blowing trash because there would be more room to cover material. Samson asked to be included in future discussions because his business is directly affected; commissioners noted that Atwood already enforces a local ordinance and said they would monitor the situation before adding further local rules.

Castens requested an additional security camera to cover trailers and the recycling building entrance at about $350. No additional funding action was recorded for that request at the meeting.

How the county resolves the delay and any resulting penalties — including the outcome of negotiations about the coal shed teardown — is expected to be handled administratively; commissioners gave staff direction to proceed with the culvert order and to continue contract discussions.