Area residents split on road closure decision

HARTINGTON — Cedar County Commissioners have a big decision to make after a road closure hearing here last week.

Landowners with adjoining property to 576 Avenue on the Dixon County border were on hand at last Tuesday’s lengthy hearing to express their opinions on the road, which was first established in 1904.

Vacating the entire one-and-three-quarter miles of road would landlock nearby parcels, causing hardships for landowners, Cedar County Road Supt. Carla Schmidt said.

Instead, she recommended keeping the northern half-mile open, but turning it into a minimum maintenance road, and then vacating the section between 886 Road and 884 Road, excluding the portion still in use.

“The portion of road the county wants to vacate shows no indication of vehicle use for many years,” Schmidt said. “That road is pretty rough. It is not well travelled. It’s a liability for both cedar and Dixon. counties.”

Since both Cedar County and Dixon County both have jurisdiction over the road, both counties must agree before any action can be taken.

The Road Superintendent also told Commissioners Cedar-Knox Public Power District applied for a boring permit on a county road near Menominee.

Schmit informed Commissioners Great Plains Communications paid a portion of the funds owed in reimbursement for repairs required after a boring project they conducted on county roads in northern Cedar County. She then gave the County Clerk their check for $6,927, noting the company still owes $13,152 on that project.

Also Tuesday, Commissioners also went into an executive session with County Attorney Ron Temple to discuss possible litigation. No action was taken during their brief closed session.

County Clerk Jessica Schmit gave Commissioners an update on a recent scrap tire event held in the county. The county received a $155,000 grant to pay the cost of recycling 1,000ton of scrap tires. Schmit said 816 ton of tires were actually hauled out.

Commissioners also approved a Special Designated Liquor License for the Bow Valley Park Association for two events.