County Commissioners Approve Road Vacations Near Milford
Posted
Jordan Fouts-
Kosciusko County Commissioners approved two road vacations north of Milford this morning with support from the town and its emergency services but opposition from two area residents. Commissioners approved the vacation of Old 15 from East North Street to CR 1400N and of CR 1350N from Old 15 to CR 100E. The closures came on the recommendation of the Area Plan Commission and are in anticipation of a large agriculture business which has reportedly expressed interest in moving into the area. Tina Fraley, who lives on North CR 100E, and Jack Salazar, who lives south of the property, both attended the meeting this morning to speak against the closures. Salazar told commissioners he works in Goshen and those roads are his best way to get there, while Fraley said she was concerned about how closures would limit emergency assistance. Commissioners President Bob Conley said a traffic study was conducted and found that a surprisingly small number of people would be affected by the road vacations. He also noted that, according to letters of endorsement from Milford Town Council and Milford Fire Chief Todd Haines, emergency services would not be hindered because they come from the south. Also during the meeting, commissioners accepted Highway Superintendent Scott Tilden’s recommendations for county highway supply bids. Commissioners opened 37 bids for needs such as weed spray, asphalt, fuel and gravel at their Nov. 5 meeting, and Tilden recommended accepting all bids. And commissioners recognized Larry “Butch” Stout as the Veteran of the Month. Stout served in the U.S. Navy from 1964 to 1968, and went to Da Nang during the Vietnam War where he helped put up beacons for special forces operations. Stout was joined by friends and members of his church in the audience who also served in Vietnam. After accepting a plaque from commissioners he remarked on personnel involved in current conflicts. “There’s a lot more that could be done for these guys getting back,” he said. “You should visit these vets and let them know you care. We came home in a different time.”
