ZAJICEK: “DISCONCERTING” THAT WASHINGTON CO. ROAD AND BRIDGE CANNOT HELP WITH BURTON ROADS

  

The Mayor of Burton is frustrated with the state of roads in the city, and upset at the Washington County Road and Bridge Department’s seeming inability to help.

During Tuesday’s Burton City Council meeting, Mayor David Zajicek said the city has been in “constant contact” with the Road and Bridge Department, in order to have work done on some of the city’s streets.

Zajicek said he has been told the department is short on staff and working other county roads, and will not be able to help the city in the near future, which he called “very disconcerting”.

Zajicek said the city may have to look elsewhere to get roads worked on, as they are becoming dangerous to drive on.

 

 

In a statement Thursday from County Road and Bridge Engineer Ross McCall, he said county commissioners must approve an interlocal agreement with the city in order to allocate resources within city limits. He said the county is currently negotiating an agreement for work within the city.

McCall added the county’s “immediate priority and responsibility” is to address damage to county roads and infrastructure, due to oil and gas activity. He said those concerns not only affect Burton citizens, but all residents of Washington County.

Road conditions have been a stated focus of Zajicek for several months. Back at June’s city council meeting, he announced he had met with McCall and Precinct Four County Commissioner Joy Fuchs, regarding some of the city’s issues with roads.

Zajicek said at the time the city’s main focus was on the corner of Texas and Railroad Streets, Railroad Street near the school, Burton Street, San Marcos Street, the ditch on South Main Street, and the ditch on Live Oak Street between North Main Street and Brazos Street.

 

Full statement Thursday from Washington County Road and Bridge Engineer Ross McCall:

Washington County Road and Bridge operates under the Texas Transportation Code.  In order to allocate resources within city limits, Commissioner’s Court must approve an interlocal agreement.  Currently, there is an interlocal agreement under negotiation for work within the City of Burton.  This work follows a similar interlocal agreement that was approved last year.

It is my responsibility to be a good steward of the county’s road funds, time and road infrastructure.  While we continue to look for ways to partner with neighboring municipalities and counties, it is my immediate priority and responsibility to address damage to county road infrastructure due to oil and gas activity.  Addressing these concerns not only affect the citizens of Burton, but all of the residents in Washington County.    Reason dictates that we need to focus on these major issues first.

I look forward to continuing partnerships with neighboring local governments provided that the Commissioner’s Court approves an agreement and the conditions of the work are in compliance with the State Transportation Code.

 

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14 Comments

  1. For a factual statement on the inter-local agreement stated by Mr McCall, let me start by saying that an agreement was sent several months ago to Burton. There were mistakes in the first copy, and, after a revision it was sent back to be corrected. Unfortunately for Burton the agreement came back with none of the changes made which has caused further delay. The Mayor is concerned with the roads being damaged by the recent influx of oil and gas trucks, however, most of the problems the City has been trying to have help with were in bad condition long before they appeared on the scene.

  2. I have always wondered why Burton has it’s own school district for such a few students doesn’t make good economic sense to me never thought that Burton was responsible for it’s streets well I ques when you want to be a city you have to have responsible people with a long range plan running it. Why doesn’t Chapel Hill have it’s own school they got everything that Burton has?

    1. Burton is more or less responsible for its streets. The problem is that Burton doesn’t have the resources to buy the equipment, materials, or man power to run afore mentioned machines. Hence the inter local agreement with Washington Cty. Chapel Hill chose not to incorporate and and is not a city with a Mayor or City Council. As both entities pay taxes into the County, they are entitled to benefits.

  3. Seems that the City of Burton is just as poorly run as the poorly folded United States flags on the shelf behind him. They want the county to provide law enforcement and fix the roads because they can’t do anything on their own. Cop quits, call the county. City owned roads are bad, call the county. Maybe a little less focus should be put on two peacocks and instead be put on how to act and function as an incorporated city. The really is embarrassing…

    1. The peacocks were just one of MANY topics discussed at the City Hall meetings. The paper and radio station chose to place more emphasis on THAT than the other issues. Your City Council is working on replacing the void Officer Greg left. In the meantime, the Sheriff should be called. As far as the roads, there is an inter-local agreement with Washington County to help us with these issues as revenues for the City would not cover equipment, materials or man power. The issue is that getting this help seems to be at the whim of the County. This is my opinion.
      In reference to the poorly folded flag behind the Mayor, being a citizen of the US, it is everyone’s responsibility to see that the flag is folded with respect and that if you see a problem with how it is folded – then fix it! The other attack on “him” is unfounded and inaccurate. With no help from anyone “he” took over the position starting with a deficit of 800 Thousand dollars . I’m sure “he” would welcome any constructive advice you might offer to help the City run more efficiently.

      1. Your statement says a LOT.
        If the city is that far in debt, can’t maintain the small radius of “city” roads (keeping in mind many are State maintained) maybe you should consider “Unincorporating”.

  4. I DON’T SEE ANY REASON THE COUNTY SHOULD MAINTAIN BURTON’S ROADS.
    I WORKED IN BURTON IN THE ’50S WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL. AS LONG AS BURTON PEOPLE RAN BURTON, DIDN’T SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MUCH OF ANYTHING.
    NOW THAT WE DON’T RECOGNIZE ANY NAMES IN ANY PLACES OF “AUTHORITY” EVERYTHING’S A PROBLEM–FROM SCHOOL TO PEACOCKS-.
    I READ HERE ON KWHI.COM THERE’S OFFICERS FOR THIS AND THAT AND THE OTHER. WHY?
    SOUNDS LIKE A RESUME BUILDING AGENDA FOR GREATER THINGS TO ME.
    YEAH, I’LL REMAIN ANONYMOUS SO TO NOT BE TARGETED.

    1. Could not agree more… Burton is NOT what is used to be….. AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY. Every “new” name has their own agenda. I know its NEVER going to be what is was, but OLD SCHOOL ways need to cycle back around!

    2. Dear Anonymous, Even though I haven’t lived here all my life does not mean I’m not a “ Burton People “ My love for this town is not based on the number of years I have lived here, and I’m entitled to the same benefits as any other citizen of Burton. People in authority as you put it, in most cases , are voted in. I suggest you be a part of City Council and School Board meetings to become more aware of the workings of both institutions. Along with your criticism, bring possible solutions to help your city become the type of city you think it should be.

  5. Agree with Ross. The county’s priority is roadways in unincorporated areas. The city of Burton, while at least deserving praise for knowing when to ask for help, is still the primary custodian of the roads within the city limits. Trying to make it sound like the county is being in any way malicious, negligent or uncooperative in doing things within the city’s jurisdiction is not going to help Burton at the negotiation table.

  6. Mr. McCall’s reasoning for not being able to assist Burton is understandable knowing how the oil and gas corporations’ vehicles are tearing up county roads at an alarming rate. Please tell me that those corporations, who are making millions and millions in profit on the local activity alone, are offering funds to make the necessary repairs and it’s not falling solely on the backs of taxpayers.

    1. EZ
      Those bad ole’ oil and gas CORPORATIONS are giving a substantial economic boost to the local citizens and community by BEING here. Furthermore I don’t think they are actually tearing up BURTON’S streets. To me its “disconcerting” that Burton would make a ‘money grab” attempt just because someone sees a deeper pocket to attempt to pick.
      Mr. McCall is correct in focusing help where the vehicles are probably doing damage.

      1. I think you missed my point completely. Yes, they are providing a boost economically overall to the area. Are they offering county-wide assistance to fix roads they are compromising so it doesn’t fall solely on the backs of the tax payers? That’s the question.
        A lot of the roads in Burton that need work have nothing to do with oil and gas activity.
        However, there are IS one spot in Burton that has been torn up by the oil and gas trucks–it’s at the intersection of FM 390 and FM 1697 in front of the Short Stop. Go take a look. Maybe they will take care of it once their truck traffic slows down? We will see.

  7. Seems to me the city of Burton needs to take care of their own streets like the city of Brenham has to take care of theirs. County road and bridge department has enough trying to keep up with county roads.

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