Commissioners rescind driveway permit, approve NIPSCO access and heavy-haul permits; OK right-of-way buys and equipment plan

Fulton County commissioners on Monday rescinded an earlier driveway permit and approved a series of road and equipment actions after highway staff said the work was either unnecessary or required temporary land access.

Highway staff member (S6) told the board two property owners had submitted competing driveway permit requests at 5508 Old US 31 and that the driveway already exists. "They're just freshening up a driveway that's already there," S6 said, and recommended revoking the first permit and refunding the fee. Commissioner (S9) moved to rescind permit 2607; the motion was seconded by the chair (S3) and carried on a voice vote.

S6 also recommended approval of a temporary access permit for NIPSCO to set up a watering station on 400 South for work east of U.S. 31. "They're doing some work in Miami County and with all this rain they've run into trouble with water," S6 said. Commissioners approved the NIPSCO permit (identified in the record as permit 2613).

The board approved an overweight/oversized hauling permit for Michael's Corporation to haul excavators to and from 1452 North Wenzel Street and other staging areas near the recycling center and airport. "They need the overweight permit to haul in and out," S6 said; Commissioner (S9) moved to approve the permit and the board agreed.

On a separate agenda item, S6 outlined four right-of-way purchases and temporary easements needed to replace a bridge on 400 South (referred to in the meeting as "Bridal 106"). The parcels and acreages S6 listed were: a 0.27-acre temporary easement from Sandra Wilbermuth and the David Clemons trust; a 0.322-acre permanent right of way from Zartman Farm Trust; a 0.177-acre temporary easement from Janice Agnew; and a 0.047-acre temporary easement from William and Cynthia Plummer. "That temporary right of way is just so we can access the bridge there and get in with machines, cranes, what have you," S6 said. The commissioners approved all four acquisitions and authorized staff to sign the paperwork.

S6 described equipment quotes for a slightly used New Holland tractor priced at about $71,200 after a $5,000 trade-in and a flail mower priced at about $14,500. He said bond equipment funds and regular budget lines would cover the purchases and that the county had roughly $104,000 remaining in bond equipment funds. Commissioners agreed S6 should present the tractor purchase to the council the next night for final approval.

Actions taken at the meeting were procedural approvals and votes; no contested roll-call vote tallies were recorded in the transcript. The board did not discuss detailed financing beyond the fund balances S6 provided and directed staff to proceed with the accepted permits, right-of-way agreements and the procurement steps described.

Next steps: highway staff will submit claims for refunds where appropriate, proceed with right-of-way closings, and bring the tractor and mower purchase to the council for final sign-off as discussed.