FAIRMONT — Martin County commissioners on Tuesday heard from County Engineer Kevin Peyman, who noted that two county road projects were briefly slowed by recent rains but are nearing completion.

“They’re working on milling the Main Street of Truman today and paving the base layer of shoulders,” he said. “They’re hoping by the end of the week to come through and get that paved.

“Then they’ll have to jump back and finish the east side of 52, going east from Highway 15 to the Faribault County line. Then, after that, they’ll have to do the shouldering and that kind of work. So things are still moving along.”

Commissioner Elliot Belgard expressed his appreciation that some projects are beginning to wrap up, for the sake of area farmers.

“It is a critical time for a certain segment of our county population that is going to start in the field this week,” he said. “Both of those roads are crucial and I know they’re winding up, but people have asked me if they’re going to get done so they can haul grain.”

“The Truman portion should be done, and the other portion is open to traffic,” Peyman responded. “It’ll be done here soon, but they can get through. The only other time that there could be a potential slight delay is if they happen to be paving the field entrance right then, but they’re pretty good about working with the landowners on that if they see they’re out in the field to communicate with them.”

Turning to another matter, commissioners passed a resolution establishing a small business grant program funded by federal CARES Act, approving a $750,000 contribution. The funds, in addition to a $250,000 contribution from the city of Fairmont, result in $1 million in funds available to small businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In other action the board:

o Approved a motion authorizing the hiring of James Tietje as a full-time deputy in the Sheriff’s Office, effective Oct. 18.

o Approved a motion accepting the resignation of Abigail Nesbit, emergency management director for the county.