There will officially be no more dirt roads in the city of Clinton following the annual resurfacing program this year, the bid for which was awarded this week.

Chris Doherty, director of the city’s Public Works and Utilities Department, said bids for the resurfacing were opened at the end of last month. Four local contractors were given the opportunity to bid and three responses were received, with Barnhill Contracting’s bid of $210,810 being the lowest, Doherty said.

The public works director said the resurfacing would include portions of eight streets, as well as streets within the Clinton Cemetery and “one or two” of the parking lots downtown.

The City Council unanimously awarded the bid to Barnhill, which will begin the resurfacing in the near future.

City manager John Connet said the city had allotted $200,000 for the resurfacing of city streets and an additional $20,000 for the cemetery, so the bid approval left roughly $10,000 as a buffer for the project, or funds that may ultimately be used elsewhere.

Councilman Neal Strickland inquired as to how many roads were still unpaved in the city and expressed his own desire to see that all streets had asphalt on them by the end of this year’s project.

“I just want to make sure the last road we have that is unpaved is paved this year,” said Strickland.

Doherty said the final dirt road in Clinton was Bunting Street, from Byrd Street to Lane Street, which is on the “to-do” list with seven other streets (see box).

“We will take care of it,” the public works director remarked.

Doherty said the list of streets to be resurfaced revolve on a “15 to 20 year” cycle. Some more-heavily traveled streets may also receive attention on a smaller cycle as necessary, he said.

City workers will examine the listed streets and make necessary repairs, including pulling roots or fixing potholes, in preparation for the paving to be done. The streets are swept of excess debris before the asphalt is laid down.

The public works director has previously noted that, in order to be included in the resurfacing project, streets have to be 16 feet or wider and useable as a street. The streets must also have a certain number of homes served by them.

Two dirt streets fitting that criteria for resurfacing, Susan Street and Mathis Street, were paved last year. Now the final road with dirt on it will be replaced with fresh asphalt, aiding in its future maintenance.

A letter will be sent out to each resident prior to the resurfacing on their street.

In other business, the Council:

• accepted a bid of $4,000 from the Turkey Fire Department for the purchase of a 1986 Grumman fire engine.

• awarded the city’s banking services contract to First Citizens Bank for the next three years.

• tabled a request by Paul Scoggins of Midnite Rodeo for a conditional use permit to operate an entertainment facility at 403 Southeast Blvd. The Council will open the hearing again next month, after the Planning Board can give a recommendation to the request.

• extended the deadline for possible condemnation of 304 Barden St. for a period of 60 days, at which time the board will again address the matter.

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by e-mail at sicrime@myclintonnc.com.