The Watson Township Board Thursday evening decided to try something a little bit different in its approach to dealing with dust control.

Board members voted unanimously to switch services to Michigan Chloride Sales, deciding a lighter application of calcium chloride for two or perhaps three times over the summer  at a cost of up to $39,376 for the three times. Southwest Michigan Dust Control bid the lower price per application, but the prospect of a less corrosive process drove township officials to make the change.

Brad Harkness of Michigan Chloride said his company uses a solution that contains 31.52% of calcium chloride and magnesium, which he contended is less harmful to vehicles and machinery than sodium chloride, the major ingredient used by Southwest Michigan and many other firms.

Area townships have been grappling with issues over dust control. One the one hand, officials must take into account complaints about corrosion. On the other, having no dust control, like Hopkins Township has decided for this year, can lead to health and safety issues, according to Watson Supervisor Pam Brown.

Harkness was recommending each application be for 2,000 gallons per mile, but Watson insisted on a lighter spread of 1,650 per mile at a lower cost and in hopes of less corrosion.

“I’m willing to go for the less corrosive and applying less solution,” said Trustee Rod Zeinstra. “I’ve heard enough complaints from my neighbors and I’m willing to experiment for a year.”

Trustee Chuck Andrysiak added, “I like going with the thinner coat. It may mean less corrosion.”

Southwest Michigan Dust Control had handled the applications for the past two years, but complaints about corrosion from the sodium chloride substance and puddles on the roads prompted the board to consider an alternative Meanwhile, Brown said she had no complaints about SW Michigan’s work.

However, in voting with the other four board members, she commented, “We can try it for a year and see how it turns out.”

Michael Moore from M.W. Moore & Sons, who was in the audience as a bidder for lawn care services at the regular meeting in March, told the board his company offers a more environmentally friendly alternative with calcium magnesium chloride. Though he promised he would submit a bid, he did not.