Winder to Fix Problem Area on Lee Street

The city of Winder will correct the drainage issue plaguing a portion of Lee Street for years.

At its meeting Monday night, the city council announced that Winder secured state aid from the Georgia Department of Transportation to the tune of $35,000 to fix the road.

Lee Street is off Broad Street and the problem area — a large dip in the road — is just before the National Guard Armory on Maynard Street. Mayor Chip Thompson said the area can be virtually impassable when it rains.

“Now this has been a problem for years,” he said.

The solution will bring in two double-barrel concrete culverts — drains that pass under roadways — and will require affected utilities to be relocated and upgraded. In addition, sidewalks in the area will be widened, making the road more pedestrian-friendly.

The project is not out to bid yet, but planners estimate it should cost between $70,000 and $80,000 total. Once a bid is selected, the council will decide when work may begin.

Other business

Items to be voted on at the Winder City Council meeting tonight are as follows:

The city will vote on whether to assign fees to three municipal court services that are currently not collecting revenue. These areas are: interpreter fees, expungements and certified copies. The state allows local governments to charge $25 for interpreters, $25 for expungements and a variety of charges for certified copies, depending on the kind needed.

After much discussion back in November and December, Winder will vote on decisions regarding health insurance benefits for future city retirees. Pending approval, the city will pay 50 percent of the health-related costs incurred by city employees only. The changes make no mention of family benefits and will not affect current retirees.

The Winder City Council will meet at 6 p.m. today at the .