Henry County Commission adopts weight-limit ordinance for two rural roads

The Henry County Commission on June 9 adopted Ordinance 060926, setting a weight limit for Northwest 40 Road and Booth Road in Fields Creek and Clinton townships and directing that the county post signs and enforce the restriction.

Commissioner Mark Larson moved to adopt the ordinance; Commissioner Jake Bradley seconded. A roll-call vote recorded Larson "yes," Bradley "yes" and Presiding Commissioner Jim Stone absent, carrying the motion.

The ordinance follows a public hearing at the meeting where commissioners discussed the need to protect rural roads from heavy loads and the logistics of posting signs. County staff said they will finalize sign verbiage, order the required signs and coordinate with the state area engineer on placement and MUTCD compliance.

Commissioners discussed enforcement and exceptions for local deliveries, with the panel indicating they did not intend to list every exception on posted signs. Larson and Bradley said enforcement would rely on standard practice and that local delivery or emergency vehicles would be handled as necessary.

The vote was taken during regular business; no amendments were recorded at the hearing. The ordinance will be posted on the affected roads and enforced by county authorities.

The meeting record shows the motion to adopt was made by Commissioner Mark Larson and seconded by Commissioner Jake Bradley; the ordinance passed by recorded vote with Stone absent. The commission subsequently ordered signage for the affected routes and indicated staff would follow up on precise verbiage and MUTCD requirements.