Commissioners review pipeline

Putnam County Commissioners met Monday evening to discuss a gas pipeline, hear requests for use of space in the courthouse and look at a request for funds to replace a bridge.

The meeting started off with a clarification for a mistake printed in an article in the BannerGraphic story Monday regarding monies for county roadwork. The newspaper reported they had $6.5 million dollars for roadwork while the county only has between $600,000-$650,000.

County Highway Director Dave Sutherlin asked the board to approve the replacement of County Bridge 90 in Clinton Township on C.R. 250 N and C.R. 550 W. After a short discussion the request was tabled until their next meeting on May 5.

Chris Basista, right-of-way agent with Rockies Express Pipeline, asked commissioners for permission to bore across three gravel roads in the county. The roads are Portland Mills Road, 725 W and 500 E.

The Rockies Express Pipeline (REX) project encompasses a 42-inch line to run from Wyoming to Ohio, crossing Putnam and surrounding counties along the way. Commissioners tabled a decision until their next meeting.

When asked by Commissioner Gene Beck if that would work for Rockies, Basista replied, "We are gonna' be neighbors for a long time and we want to do this right. We'll do whatever you need us to do."

In other business Commissioners:

* Signed a memorandum of understanding for the Putnam County Emergency Management Agency to use county property in the east half of the Northwest Quarter of Section 29, Township 14 North, Range 4 West for training.

* Heard requests from County Assessor Wanda O'Neal and Lorie Hallett to take over the space, which will be vacated in the 911 offices in the courthouse.

* Heard a request from Beth Ross from the Title IV-D (child support) office to acquire more space in the county courthouse.

* Discussed the Putnam County RX card.

The next meeting of the Putnam County Commissioners will. Monday, May 5 at 9 a.m. in the Courthouse Annex.