By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
The lighting project at the River City Ball Field is on hiatus. The pause was caused by issues with drilling through a rock layer on the last post hole, according to Parsons City Manager Mike Simmons. Word came during the City Manager’s update to the Parsons City Council during the Council’s regular session August 19th.
“They went down and they hit what they called ‘blue rock’ and they can’t get through it,” Simmons said.
The crew moved ten feet in either direction and encountered the same rock layer, Simmons said. The crew’s solution was to bring in a larger piece of equipment at an additional cost to the City of $8,000. The company also wants the City to sign a waiver against any damage done to the ball field by the heavy machinery.
Simmons said that he spoke with the contractor and discussed the possibility of getting a better price for the work. He was informed that the contractor would get back to him and he said he would have to ask about the waiver.
“I told him I didn’t feel it was in the City’s best interest to shell out more money when we was quoted a price and he’s already been here onsite,” Simmons said.
Councilman Tim Turner enquired as to whether the company would be placing down protective matting or a temporary drive for the equipment to minimize any damage to the field. Simmons said he did not think that would be the case.
Councilman Seth Rosenau questioned whether having someone shoot the hole would be an option. Simmons suggested using the existing post hole from the old light pole. However, the existing holes, it was discussed, are not as deep as the new holes the contractors are digging for the new, taller poles and might not be the correct diameter.
Currently, the contractor has been able to dig six feet before hitting the rock layer. The holes need to be dug 12 feet for the new 70 foot aluminum light poles. The existing holes were only six feet deep.
Blasting was also discussed. Recorder Rick Lemon said that blasting comes with many dangers. Lemons said that should blasting be utilized, there was a distinct danger of blowing utility lines such as water lines.
There was no word on when work would resume on the lighting project.
